Television guitarist Richard Lloyd dies at 75 from bile duct cancer

Richard Lloyd, a founding member and guitarist of the influential New York punk band Television, died at age 75. His family reported he passed away at his home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from cholangiocarcinoma, a bile duct cancer, according to Billboard and Deadline.

Diagnosed with the disease in early 2026, Lloyd faced serious health complications including liver tumors that could not be surgically removed. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help cover his medical expenses, as reported by kool1079.com.

Television formed in 1973 and became a pioneering band in the New York punk and new wave scenes, frequently playing at the CBGB club in Manhattan. Their 1977 debut album, Marquee Moon, is widely regarded as a masterpiece and influential in the genre, although it saw limited commercial success, according to mercurynews.com and billboard.com.

Lloyd's guitar work, alongside bandmate Tom Verlaine, was noted for its intricate and sophisticated interplay, setting Television apart from other punk bands of the era. The band reunited several times in the 1990s and 2000s. Lloyd also had a solo career and collaborated with other artists, as noted by kool1079.com.

At the time of Lloyd's death, drummer Billy Ficca was the only surviving member of the classic Television lineup. Tom Verlaine died in 2023 and bassist Fred Smith passed away earlier in 2026, according to kool1079.com.