Fred Smith, Television Bassist and Blondie Original, Dies at 77

Fred Smith, the bass player for the iconic rock band Television, has died at the age of 77. He also was an original member of Blondie.

The musician’s death on Thursday, Feb. 5, was confirmed by the band on social media. While a cause of death was not specified, the band's statement mentioned that he had been battling an unspecified “illness long and hard these last few years.”

Smith began his career as the original bassist for Angel and the Snake, which later transformed into Blondie. He departed in 1975 to join Television, taking over from Richard Hell. Smith remained a key member of Television until their initial split in 1978, contributing to their seminal albums Marquee Moon (1977) and Adventure (1978). Following the band's breakup, Smith appeared on solo albums by bandmates Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd, as well as records by The Roches, Willie Nile, Peregrins, and the Revelons.

Smith also participated in Television's reunion in 1992, coinciding with the release of their self-titled third album. He continued to perform with them onstage throughout the 2000s.

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In the statement announcing Smith’s passing, Television member Jimmy Rip remembered him as “not only my bandmate for 46 years — he was my true friend.” Rip added that Smith was “the guy you wanted around when road life got wearisome,” continuing, “His sense of humor, much like his musical voice, was dry, subtle, to the point, hilarious and always left you wanting a more.”

Rip continued, “Yesterday, he left this world, leaving so many who loved him wanting so much more…of him. If you are a lover of melodic bass lines and counterpoint, you could go to school on what Fred created so effortlessly. He was a natural — never flashy, always essential — always serving the song in ways that only the greatest musicians can.” Rip mentioned that they had planned to perform music by frontman Tom Verlaine, who passed away in January 2023, this year, but that “wasn’t meant to be.”

“Thankfully, we were able to say goodbye, ‘love you’ were our last words to each other,” Rip shared before concluding his message. “I will miss him more than anyone can imagine.”">

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