Television is an American band from New York, United States, formed in 1973 and active until 2023. The group emerges from the New York CBGB scene of the mid-1970s and is associated with proto-punk, art punk, art rock, experimental rock, new wave, post-punk and proto-punk.

Formation and early line-up

Television begins in the early 1970s as the Neon Boys, with guitarist and vocalist Tom Verlaine, drummer Billy Ficca and bassist Richard Hell. At the end of 1973, the group takes the name Television and adds rhythm guitarist Richard Lloyd. In its early years the band develops a following in New York and makes its live debut at the Townhouse theatre. Its growing reputation helps establish CBGB as a regular live venue for punk and new wave acts.

Style and influence

The band is known for a distinctive guitar approach built around Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd. Rather than using standard rock improvisation, their playing removes blues-based phrasing while keeping the raw force of garage rock, and adds complex, lyrical lead lines that draw on both jazz and rock. Their music is marked by angular rhythms and fluid guitar leads, and it helps set the pattern for many guitar-based post-punk pop groups of the late 1970s and 1980s.

Recordings and releases

In 1975 Television records a demo for Island Records with Brian Eno, but the label does not sign the band. After Richard Hell leaves, he forms the Heartbreakers with Johnny Thunders and later starts a solo career with the Voidoids, releasing Blank Generation in 1977. Hell is replaced by former Blondie bassist Fred Smith. Television then records “Little Johnny Jewel” and releases it on its own Ork label, where it becomes an underground hit. In 1976 the band issues a British EP on Stiff Records, which expands its profile.

The group signs to Elektra Records and records its debut album, Marquee Moon, released in 1977. The album receives strong critical acclaim, reaches number 28 in the United Kingdom and produces the Top 40 single “Prove It”. Television supports Blondie on tour in 1977. The second album, Adventure, follows in 1978. It sells better in the United States than Marquee Moon, but does not chart there; in Britain it becomes a Top Ten hit.

Breakups and reunions

Television breaks up in 1978, with tensions between the two guitarists a major factor. After the split, Richard Smith rejoins Blondie, while Verlaine and Lloyd pursue solo work. Richard Lloyd also plays on John Doe’s first solo album and later joins Matthew Sweet’s backing band on the 1991 album Girlfriend.

The band reforms in late 1991 and records a self-titled album for Capitol Records. It performs at Glastonbury in 1992 and releases Television later that period. The album and the supporting tour receive good reviews, but the reunion ends in early 1993. The group reunites again in 2001 for a small number of shows in the United Kingdom and for an appearance at the Noise Pop Festival in Chicago.

Members

Television’s members include Richard Hell, Billy Ficca, Richard Lloyd, Tom Verlaine, Fred Smith and Jimmy Rip.