Blondie and Television bassist Fred Smith dies, aged 77
9 February 2026, 11:19
Fred Smith was a founding member of Blondie.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
Fred Smith, the original bass player in Blondie and later a member of Television, has died at the age of 77.
News of Smith's passing was announced on Television's Instagram page at the weekend.
- Blondie to retire from live performances?: Debbie Harry opens up after death of Clem Burke
- Blondie's 15 best songs, ranked
- Listen to the Gold Radio 70s Live Playlist on Global Player, the home of Gold
"If you are a lover of melodic bass lines and counterpoint, you could go to school on what Fred created so effortlessly," said his Television bandmate Jimmy Rip, who joined that group on guitar as a replacement for the late Richard Lloyd in 2007.
"He was a natural — never flashy, always essential — always serving the song in ways that only the greatest musicians can…"
He added: "He fought his illness long and hard these last few years, looking always forward to new projects… we had big plans to play Tom’s music live this year… but it just wasn't meant to be.
"Thankfully, we were able to say goodbye, 'love you' were our last words to each other. I will miss him more than anyone can imagine."
Marquee Moon
Smith was the bass player in Angel and the Snake, the band formed by Debbie Harry and Chris Stein with drummer Billy O'Connor.
That band became Blondie and the Banzai Babies and then Blondie.
Smith left Blondie in 1975, deciding to join Television after the departure of Richard Hell.
"Blondie was like a sinking ship and Television was my favorite band," Smith told Mojo years later.
Smith was an ever-present in that group for not just the rest of their original run through to 1978, but also their reunion for 1992's Television and long term reunion in 2001.
He also played on solo albums by Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd, as well as with groups like The Roches, The Revelons and The Fleshtones.
