Fred Smith, Bassist for Television, Dies at 77

Fred Smith, the bassist for the seminal proto-punk group Television, passed away on Thursday at the age of 77. His death was confirmed by the band in a social media post. Smith's musical journey began in the early New York scene with the band Angel and the Snake, which famously evolved into the new wave icons Blondie. His pivotal career move came in 1975 when he departed Blondie to fill the role left by Richard Hell in Television, a band whose intricate guitar work and rhythmic sophistication would become a blueprint for post-punk.

Following Television's initial dissolution in 1978, Smith remained a sought-after collaborator. His distinctive bass lines graced solo records by fellow Television members Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd, as well as projects for artists like The Roches, Willie Nile, Peregrins, and The Revelons. He also performed and toured extensively with the garage rock band The Fleshtones. Smith rejoined his seminal band for their 1992 reunion and participated in many subsequent tours, cementing his legacy within the group's sound.

In a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, longtime bandmate and friend Jimmy Rip memorialized Smith's character and talent. "The legendary bassist... was not only my bandmate for 46 years — he was my true friend," Rip wrote. He highlighted Smith's dry wit and described his musical voice as "dry, subtle, to the point, hilarious and always left you wanting more." Rip detailed their meeting in 1980 and noted Smith's effortless genius: "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." The post also revealed Smith had been battling a long illness, and that the two had plans to perform Tom Verlaine's music this year. "Thankfully, we were able to say goodbye, 'love you' were our last words to each other," Rip shared.

Beyond music, Fred Smith and his wife, Paula Cereghino, founded Cereghino Smith, an artisanal winery based in Bloomington, New York. This venture showcased another facet of his creative life, paralleling the craftsmanship he brought to his music. His passing marks the loss of a foundational figure whose understated, melodic playing provided the essential backbone for one of rock's most influential bands, leaving a void in the community that revered him.