Tributes have been paid to Television guitarist and co-founder Richard Lloyd, who has died at the age of 75.
Lloyd passed away on Saturday (November 7) at his home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, following a battle with cholangiocarcinoma, a form of bile duct cancer. His family confirmed that his wife Sheila and his dog Willie Mays were with him when he died.
In a statement shared on the band’s social media, Television wrote: “We are so very sad that Richard Lloyd has today passed away at the age of 75.”
“Deepest condolences to Sheila and to all of his family and friends.”
Johnny Marr, who was heavily influenced by Television’s pioneering guitar sound during his time with The Smiths, also paid tribute to Lloyd on Instagram.
“R.I.P Richard Lloyd. A seeker and finder and a true inspiration with and without the guitar,” he wrote. “It was an honour to know him and a blessing to have been a fan. Thank you Richard. Carry on my friend.”
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Fellow singer-songwriter Lloyd Cole shared his admiration for the guitarist, writing on X: “RIP Richard Lloyd. I only saw Television once – all those amazing riffs that drive the songs – Richard played them all.”
I just heard. RIP Richard Lloyd. I only saw Television once – All those amazing riffs that drive the songs – Richard played them all. pic.twitter.com/ZjT7qrySfo
— Lloyd Cole (@Lloyd_Cole) November 7, 2026
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1951, Lloyd moved to New York as a child and went on to become a founding member of Television in 1973, alongside singer and guitarist Tom Verlaine, bassist Richard Hell and drummer Billy Ficca.
The group became one of the first bands to perform regularly at New York’s legendary CBGB club, helping to establish a scene that would also produce the likes of Blondie, Ramones and Talking Heads.
Hell was replaced by Fred Smith, but Television went on to record the seminal 1977 album ‘Marquee Moon’, with Lloyd and Verlaine’s interlocking, ecstatic guitar parts becoming the defining element of their sound. The album’s title track, more than 10 minutes long, became a signature of post punk, and was later included in NME‘s list of the 100 best songs of the 1970s.
Their second album, ‘Adventure’, followed in 1978, but the band split later that year. Lloyd subsequently launched a solo career with 1979’s ‘Alchemy’, going on to release a string of further records and working with artists including Matthew Sweet.
Television reunited in the early 1990s, releasing a self-titled third album in 1992, although Lloyd eventually departed the group in 2007.
In August, it was reported that Lloyd had been diagnosed with bile duct cancer, with the band appealing to fans for financial support during his treatment.
“Richard Lloyd is currently undergoing treatment having recently been diagnosed with cancer – to help ease the financial burden on Richard & Sheila during this difficult time please consider donating to their GoFundMe campaign,” Television wrote on Instagram.
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His death comes less than four years after Television frontman Verlaine died in January 2023 at the age of 73, while bassist Fred Smith died in February this year, aged 77.
Lloyd is survived by his wife Sheila and his son Dylan.
