Richard Lloyd, the co-founding guitarist of Television, has been diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a serious form of bile duct cancer.
According to a GoFundMe launched by his Richard Lloyd Group bandmate Sean Seymour, the cancer has left Lloyd with “tumors in his liver, including one located dangerously close to a major blood vessel”.
Seymour said that because of its location, doctors cannot safely operate to remove it at this time, adding that Lloyd has been in the ICU seven times, has dealt with serious complications, including sepsis twice, as well as other associated complications involving his liver and kidneys. “And through all of this,” Seymour wrote, “he’s fighting.”
Funds from the GoFundMe – which you can find here – will go towards supporting Lloyd and his wife Sheila during this difficult period, including covering medical expenses, monthly living expenses, and other costs that come with Richard being unable to work and Sheila being a full-time caregiver.
“Richard is currently unable to tour,” the post continued. “For a working musician, that’s devastating, not only because performing is what he loves, but because touring is his primary source of income.”
He went on to say there had also been “unresolved royalty issues going back roughly two years, creating another significant financial strain at an already incredibly difficult time”, and “like most working musicians, Richard is being overwhelmed by crushing medical expenses”.
He continued: “Richard has spent decades giving his music to other people. Now it’s our turn to give something back to him. If Richard’s music has meant something to you—if you’ve listened to Marquee Moon, seen Television perform, followed Richard’s career, or simply know and love him as a person – please consider donating.
“And if you aren’t able to donate, please share this fundraiser. Sharing it may be just as important as giving. I’ve been lucky enough to stand beside Richard on stage for the past four years. Right now, I’d like to stand beside him in a different way. Let’s help Richard and Sheila get through this.”
The GoFundMe also included some words from Lloyd, who said: “I am usually a pretty upbeat person and I am taking this in stride, but it has become very difficult on our own and financially we are strapped. That’s why I’m asking for your help.
“If you can see your way clear to make a donation please do that. Otherwise, please pass it around to your friends that might help and people that know me.”
So far, donations has already come in from Patti Smith and Susan Tweedy, wife of Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy. The target fundraising goal is $80,000 (£58,690), and at the time of writing, is currently just shy of the halfway mark.
