Television Bassist Fred Smith Dies at 77

"Smith was born in 1948 and found himself at the founding of the New York punk scene. He played bass for Angel and the Snake with Chris Stein and Debbie Harry. The band would eventually morph into Blondie. In 1975, Smith left Blondie and replaced Richard Hell in Television. "Blondie was like a sinking ship and Television was my favorite band," he told MOJO in 2001. Smith would maintain a relationship with Blondie, however, as the two bands often shared bills at CBGB."

"Smith plays on Television's most important record, Marquee Moon -known for the title single and "See No Evil." It was the band's first full-length album. Television broke up in 1978 but reunited frequently beginning in 1992. Smith was a part of those reunions, and also played with solo projects from Television's Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd, as well as with the Roches. In his obituary, Rip wrote that they were working on performing Verlaine's solo work when Smith died."

Fred Smith (born 1948) was a bassist central to the founding of the New York punk scene. He played in Angel and the Snake with Chris Stein and Debbie Harry, a group that evolved into Blondie. Smith left Blondie in 1975 and joined Television as Richard Hell's replacement. He performed on Television's seminal album Marquee Moon, contributing to its signature songs. Television disbanded in 1978 and reunited frequently from 1992, with Smith participating. He also played on solo projects by Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd and worked with the Roches. He died after a long illness while preparing performances of Verlaine's solo work.

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