Famed Guitarist Passes Away as Tributes Pour In

EntertainmentNow

Candles

Fans of classic punk rock are mourning the loss of the cofounder of the legendary band Television, guitarist Richard Lloyd. The band released three studio albums but is best known for its 1977 debut, “Marquee Moon.”

Rolling Stone confirmed Lloyd’s death on November 7. A statement from the family said, “His loving wife Sheila and his dog Willie Mays were with him at the end.” The statement also confirmed that the musician passed away from Cholangiocarcinoma, which is a bile duct cancer. 

Richard Lloyd Was Diagnosed With Cancer in March

One of Lloyd bandmates from The Richard Lloyd Group, Sean Seymour, launched a GoFundMe in early 2026 for the punk rock icon, stating that he had been diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma.

“In March 2026, Richard was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a serious form of bile duct cancer. He has tumors in his liver, including one located dangerously close to a major blood vessel,” the GoFundMe said.

From there, Seymour stated that doctors were unable to operate at that time due to the location of the tumors.

“Since his diagnosis, Richard has been through an extraordinary amount. He has been in the ICU seven times, dealing with serious complications including sepsis twice, as well as complications involving his liver and kidneys. And through all of this, he’s fighting,” Lloyd’s bandmate continued.

Seymour added that Lloyd’s illness had kept him from touring and noted that the band had had issues with royalty payments over the last two years.

The GoFundMe also included a statement from Lloyd. “I am usually a pretty upbeat person and I am taking this in stride, but it has become very difficult on our own and financially we are strapped,” he said.

“That’s why I’m asking for your help. If you can see your way clear to make a donation please do that. Otherwise, please pass it around to your friends that might help and people that know me.”

Richard Leaves Behind a Vast Legacy

Lloyd, alongside Tom Verlaine, Richard Hell, and Billy Ficca, launched Television in 1973 in New York City. The group was instrumental in the downtown rock scene in the city, including with CBGN shows.