The great thing about this band is they have absolutely no musical or socially redeeming characteristics and they know it
-SOHO Weekly News
On May 5 1974, after reportedly helping to build the club's stage, Television played the first of many regular gigs at CBGB's. The Stilletos, who would eventually evolve into Blondie, opened.
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| Verlaine and Hell |
Tom ( Miller) Verlaine came to New York City in 1968 and formed the band The Neon Boys with a former boarding school roommate Richard Hell and drummer Billy Ficca. When Richard Lloyd joined the band in late 1973, they changed their name to Television.
As Lenny Kaye noted, they were rough and ragged at the beginning
But, writing for Rock Scene , Patti Smith gushed "lead singer Tom Verlaine has the most beautiful neck in rock and roll..a guy worth losing your virginity to".
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| Patti Smith and Tom Verlaine |
In late 1974, Brian Eno produced Television's first demos. They haven't been released. Richard Hell left the band in 1975 and was replaced by former Blondie member Fred Smith. Their debut album, Television, came out in 1977, made many critics Top 10 lists despite poor sales, and influenced future generations of rock poets and musicians.
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