A los 73 años muere Tom Verlaine

Varios músicos tristes por la partida del líder de Television

Domingo, 29 de Enero de 2023

A los 73 años ha muerto Tom Verlaine.

La triste lista de artistas que han partido este 2023 continúa ampliándose, ahora con el líder de los influyentes Television. "Murió en paz en New York City, rodeado de sus amigos más cercanos", comentó Jesse Paris Smith, hija de Patti Smith, una de sus más cercanas personas.

Nacido Thomas Miller, adoptó el nombre que lo hizo conocido influenciado por el poeta francés Paul Verlaine. La literatura fue una presencia permanente en su carrera artística, llamando la atención en la composición de sus letras. En la primera mitad de los 70 viajó a la Gran Manzana, donde formó Television junto a Richard Lloyd, Billy Ficca y Richard Hell, este último siendo reemplazado por Fred Smith. Esta formación es la dueña de los tres discos editados por el grupo: "Marquee Moon" (1977), "Adventure" (1978) y el homónimo de 1992.

"He perdido a un héroe", escribió Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) en redes sociales, una de las varias reacciones del mundo de la música al conocerse el destino de Verlaine, atestiguando la importancia de su figura en la comunidad musical, desde Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) a Garbage.

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Una publicación compartida por Michael Stipe (@michaelstipe)

Beautifully lyrical guitarist, underrated vocalist. Television made a new kind of music and inspired new kinds of music. Marquee Moon is a perfect record. Requiescat.
?https://t.co/uxt7IMz2rO
— steve albini (@electricalWSOP) January 28, 2023

listened to Marquee Moon 1000 times. And I mean LISTENED, sitting still, lights down low taking it all in. awe and wonder every time. Will listen 1000 more. Tom Verlaine is one of the greatest rock musicians ever. He effected the way John and I play immeasurably. Fly on Tom.
— Flea (@flea333) January 29, 2023

RIP to the great Tom Verlaine, one of my primary influences along w/ Hendrix, Eddie Hazel, & Greg Ginn. The live version of ?Little Johnny Jewel? from ?The Blow-Up? ROIR cassette by Television is THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH. Monumental guitar playing. pic.twitter.com/BvdGCoS7Jt
— William DuVall (@WilliamDuvall) January 29, 2023

Tom Verlaine?s playing meant the world to me. If I ever played anything that sounded like him I was happy. He set me on my path as a guitarist, thank you Tom. pic.twitter.com/wMTvkxuy04
— Will Sergeant (@Will_Fuzz) January 28, 2023

A true original. No one played guitar like Tom Verlaine before or since. Sat crossed legged on the floor on his side of the stage in Roskilde as he played in Patti Smith?s band and that was as close to perfection as you can get. A sad sad day. Rest in Peace Tom ? pic.twitter.com/445yrvH6m8
— Simon Raymonde (@mrsimonraymonde) January 28, 2023

RIP Tom Verlaine. An icon. An inspiration. A fucking incredible guitarist.

We're going to be blasting this brilliance long into the night. pic.twitter.com/qBmNwizksL
— The Delgados (@delgados_the) January 29, 2023

RIP Tom Verlaine. Along with Patti Smith?s Horses, Marquee Moon ranks as one of if not THE best New Wave album of the 70?s punk era. I bought it when it came out and saw them on their first tour with Blondie opening! It was a great gig. I still play the album to this day ??M pic.twitter.com/R7Qvqxy8DA
— Simply Red (@SimplyRedHQ) January 29, 2023

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Una publicación compartida por This is Patti Smith (@thisispattismith)

Tom Verlaine 1949-2023

"I've lost a hero.... You introduced me to a world that flipped my life upside down. I am forever grateful." - Michael Stipe pic.twitter.com/csmxXhKPht
— R.E.M. HQ (@remhq) January 29, 2023

No. Not Tom Verlaine. ?
— Garbage (@garbage) January 28, 2023

i didn't know him personally, but i felt that tom verlaine's music somehow knew me, if that makes any sense. the way he played guitar, the words he sang, the way he sang them, all resonated with me in a very natural and deep way. thank you for all the happy hours of listening TV pic.twitter.com/lm0892tGj7
— matthew caws (@nadasurf) January 29, 2023

This band would probably exist - but would surely not sound the way it does without Tom Verlaine.
— Real Estate, band (@realestateband) January 28, 2023

? I can?t think of a better way to honor Tom Verlaine than to go out and rock n roll on a Sunday Night ?
— anton newcombe (@antonnewcombe) January 29, 2023

Aww man?rest well, Tom Verlaine pic.twitter.com/rxCcUNYtVi
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) January 28, 2023

Devastated by this news. Tom Verlaine was a true great. His role in our culture and straight up awesomeness on the electric guitar was completely legendary. Name 10 minutes of music as good as Marquee Moon. You can?t. It?s perfect. Rest in peace Tom x https://t.co/6HAwg5k9PS
— stuart braithwaite (@plasmatron) January 28, 2023

RIP Tom Verlaine: Midnight sirens under dark shellac sky: my visual invocation of Marquee Moon, February 1977 pic.twitter.com/A7amazzdkm
— Jon Savage (@JonSavage1966) January 28, 2023