Richard Lloyd, the co-founder and lead guitarist of the iconic 1970s New York City art-punk band Television, has died at the age of 75. Lloyd's family announced his passing on Saturday at his home in Chattanooga, Tennessee, following a March diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma, also known as bile duct cancer.
Lloyd was celebrated for his intricate and fiery dual-guitar work, a hallmark of Television's distinctive sound. He co-founded the band with lead singer Tom Verlaine, drummer Billy Ficca, and bassist Richard Hell, who was later replaced by Fred Smith. While Verlaine often took the spotlight as the band's primary songwriter and vocalist, Lloyd's guitar playing was crucial to their artistic output.
Television emerged from the vibrant CBGB scene in New York City, sharing stages with artists like Patti Smith, David Bowie, The Ramones, Talking Heads, and Blondie. The band's 1977 debut album, Marquee Moon, featuring tracks like the title song and "Venus," is widely regarded as a landmark of art-punk and post-punk music, influencing subsequent generations of alternative rock bands including R.E.M., U2, and Sonic Youth. Their follow-up album, 1978's Adventure, achieved Top Ten status in the UK.
Creative tensions within the band, including between Verlaine and Lloyd, contributed to Television's initial breakup in 1978. Following the split, Lloyd embarked on a solo career and worked as a session and touring guitarist. He later rejoined Television when the band reunited in 1992 for a self-titled comeback album and subsequent tours, before departing the group permanently in 2007.
Born in Pittsburgh in 1951, Lloyd moved to New York City in his youth. He published a memoir, Everything is Combustible, in 2017, detailing his early struggles with mental health and substance abuse. In an interview with Guitar World in December 2025, his final published interview, Lloyd reflected on the band's dynamic, noting the "dynamic tension" with Verlaine as a catalyst for creativity. He described Verlaine as a "genius" and a "poet," while asserting his own guitar playing was "on another level."
Lloyd's cancer diagnosis was made public in August when a friend and bandmate, Sean Seymour, created a GoFundMe page to assist with his medical expenses, noting Lloyd was "financially strapped" and dealing with serious complications including sepsis and liver and kidney issues. Lloyd himself shared a message on the page, expressing his gratitude for any support.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila O'Keefe Lloyd, his son Dylan, and his brother Eric Lloyd. Tom Verlaine, Television's frontman, died in 2023 at the age of 73.