Tom Verlaine Passes

[Michedelic]

I was never a rabid fan, but I do still own the Marquee Moon LP. I recall seeing folks enthralled by Verlaine's performance when CB's was new, the layer cake stage was on left side, and the toilet was often just a hole in the floor. The diversity of the music in this scene was far greater than is often remembered these days. He kinda reminded me of an old LA band called Red Crayola at the time, but for me, Television and the Talking Heads were something very new and unfamiliar. Musically, I have always been old school, but Verlaine got me to stretch and appreciate some new sounds. RIP.

Red Crayola/Krayola was actually from Texas, and they were labelmates with the 13th Floor Elevators(Roky Erickson). I’m sure Verlaine was aware of both outfits and their creepy, mutant psychedelia as Television covered the latter band’s “Fire Engine” on a live release, essentially a gig bootleg issued by the cassette only ROIR label.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

Favorite album: Dreamtime. "I gotta keep about a mile from you. Arm's length, that won't do."

 

[mdlewis]

Red Crayola/Krayola was actually from Texas, and they were labelmates with the 13th Floor Elevators(Roky Erickson). I’m sure Verlaine was aware of both outfits and their creepy, mutant psychedelia as Television covered the latter band’s “Fire Engine” on a live release, essentially a gig bootleg issued by the cassette only ROIR label.

Yep, you are most certainly correct - my bad. I always forget that it was Love who was from LA and Red Crayola from Texas. I'm pretty sure Verlaine was very aware of Red Krayola and the 13th Floor Elevators - I think he would have had to try really hard at the time not to be.

You'll probably recall that Nuggets had issued a few years earlier. As a result, Roky and company were getting pretty well known from their inclusion on Nuggets, there was interest in anything International Artists, and I recall the prices on the original IA pressings had soared. Because of the demand, the 13th Floor Elevators records (and some others, including Red Krayola) were licensed to Radar(scope) Records in the UK and reissued. I do recall that reissue copies of the records were prominently featured at all the NYC records stores as well as in Boston (where I'm located) and everyone was talking about them.

I still have all of the 13th Floor Elevators records.

 

[Roxbororob]

Sigh...sad news. It's an era passing on.
Peaceful journey Tom..and thanks.

 

[ElectroVibe]

I can hear some possible influence from this 1974 Jefferson Starship song, Caroline.

 

[Snaxster]

Agreed. By chance, yesterday I met and spoke with a recordist who worked with Verlaine extensively. He didn't mention Verlaine's death, so I wonder if he knew.

A minute ago my friend informed me that it wasn't by chance. The recordist knew of Verlaine's passing, but didn't want to mention it to a stranger before the news was public. He was upset and venting to my friend, but respectful. A sad day.

 

[oranje]

One of the true greats.

 

[SteveCS]

I don't know if there was a renewed interest in them around 86 or 87, but that is when I discovered Television
...

I don't know about any renewed interest, but I also 'found' Television around that time. I remember reading interviews with other guitar players around that time citing Tom as an influence which is probably what opened the door... Perhaps that did spark a revival of sorts?

 

[MichelD]

I read that he said his guitar style was different than most others because he never tried to copy guitar parts of other guitarists off records.

 

[Grinderman]

I don't know about any renewed interest, but I also 'found' Television around that time. I remember reading interviews with other guitar players around that time citing Tom as an influence which is probably what opened the door... Perhaps that did spark a revival of sorts?

I'm 55 so a generation discovering appreciation of Television around '86 or '87 makes sense to me. Apparently there was enough energy out there around that time for them to release their 3rd album in '92.

 

[Killing Floor]

I don't know about any renewed interest, but I also 'found' Television around that time. I remember reading interviews with other guitar players around that time citing Tom as an influence which is probably what opened the door... Perhaps that did spark a revival of sorts?

I know several guitarists in their 20s who really jumped into Television within the last 5 years. That’s how influence works.

 

[jimmydean]

Nice guy , opened for him once and shared some pizza in the dressing room .

 

[vvvmmm]

I'm a big fan of TV, and Verlaine's and Lloyd's solo work, have a bunch of their albums.

Their live interplay, especially on some bootlegs, was just so cool - my fave jam band.

 

[Isaac_James]

I had my own "who's on first" moment the first time I came across his music. I was at a bar after playing a show there and this incredible song came on the PA, with intricately woven guitar and bass lines. I'd never heard anything quite like it. So I asked the sound guy, "What's this I'm listening to?" "Television," he replied.

Of course there wasn't a TV on in this room, but just to make sure I said, "No, what's on the PA? I like it!" The sound guy looked at me and shrugged and said, "Television. Marquee Moon".

Anyway I spent way too long looking for an artist called Marky Moon at the record store before asking an employee there for help.

 

[vvvmmm]

When my last band was playing really good we'd say we were channeling Television.

OK, we didn't say that, but we shoulda.

Wasn't Marky Moon in Men to Boys?

 

[Isaac_James]

When my last band was playing really good we'd say we were channeling Television.

OK, we didn't say that, but we shoulda.

Wasn't Marky Moon in Men to Boys?

He was either the drummer for The What or the Romanos. I can't recall.

 

[GregC]

One of my favorite living guitarists and another killer on Jazzmaster.

 

[oranje]

Just listened to “Words from the front”. Brilliant, Bone chilling solo.

 

[Alkali Ike]

I picked up the vinyl reissue of Marquee Moon today. Surprised to find it has an extended version of the title track. According to Wikipedia they recorded that track in one take with no studio embellishments like compression. Drummer Billy Ficca thought it was a rehearsal. Producer Andy Johns wanted them to do a 2nd take but Verlaine said "Forget it".

 

[Nedmundo]

I'm 55 so a generation discovering appreciation of Television around '86 or '87 makes sense to me. Apparently there was enough energy out there around that time for them to release their 3rd album in '92.

I'm also 55, and I discovered them around '87, I think because Marquee Moon always showed up on those Rolling Stone "Best Albums" lists. Eventually I just bought it, and it blew my mind. I've been a huge fan ever since, but unfortunately I never saw them live.

I've turned several friends onto Marquee Moon, and the reaction is always the same: "How did I not know about this album?" They all love it.

The day of Tom's passing, I was in my local record shop and saw a woman about my age buying Marquee Moon on vinyl, possibly for her teenage son who was there too. I believe it was before the sad news broke. Very cool to see folks still getting into it.