Richard Lloyd, Guitarist of Punk Band Television, Dies at 75

Richard Lloyd, recognized for his refined musical approach as a founding member and guitarist for the prominent punk band Television, has passed away at the age of 75. Relatives confirmed that Lloyd passed away on a Saturday morning at his residence located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His family shared that his devoted wife, Sheila, along with his dog, Willie Mays, remained by his side during his final moments.

According to his relatives, the musician succumbed to cholangiocarcinoma, a variety of bile duct cancer that had been diagnosed earlier in March 2026. A prior crowdfunding initiative had disclosed that the artist developed growths in his liver, including one that doctors were unable to remove surgically.

Established in 1973, Television played a pivotal part within the developing punk rock scene centered around CBGB, the historic performance venue situated on the Bowery in New York City. The ensemble stood among the earliest punk acts to grace the downtown establishment, which previously concentrated primarily on country and bluegrass performances.

Richard Lloyd, founding member of the influential punk band Television, has died at 75.

During a retrospective interview conducted in 2007, Lloyd contemplated his contribution to the establishment's legacy, asserting that the venue represented the most renowned rock and roll club in existence and describing himself as the unseen force behind it.

Throughout the late 1970s, Television produced just two studio records during its primary era. Their debut studio record, launched in 1977 under the title Marquee Moon, subsequently achieved widespread acclaim as a historic recording. Publications placed the record high on all-time lists, cementing its status as one of the most impactful guitar-focused albums across rock history.

Why it matters The passing of Richard Lloyd marks the loss of a foundational figure from the 1970s punk rock era who helped shape the sound and history of the genre. His work with Television and performances at legendary venues like CBGB left a lasting legacy on rock music and guitar-driven artistry.