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Tom Verlaine

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Verlaine was known for his jagged guitar playing style involving heavy vibrato and distortion and off-kilter lyrics. Gus Stewart/Redferns hide caption

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Gus Stewart/Redferns

Obituaries

Tom Verlaine, guitarist and singer of influential rock band Television, dies at 73

January 28, 2023 • The founding father of American punk and a fixture in the 1970s New York rock scene died Saturday as the result of a brief illness.

World Cafe

Tom Verlaine: Beyond Television

XPN

July 12, 2006 • A living legend, Tom Verlaine is known for his work as lead singer and guitarist for the '70s art-punk band Television, as well as his fruitful solo career. His lyrically innovative guitar lines and song structures, along with his oft-cryptic lyrics, have earned him a place in the rock-guitar canon.

Tom Verlaine: Beyond Television

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Music Interviews

Two Helpings of Tom Verlaine

July 2, 2006 • Tom Verlaine shook up the music world with his punk-rock group Television in the mid-1970s. Can he do it again? He's giving it a shot with two new CDs — one an instrumental work featuring his influential guitar style — and a world tour.

Two Helpings of Tom Verlaine

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Music

An Icon of Rock Returns: Tom Verlaine

May 18, 2006 • Tom Verlaine's rock band Television came of age alongside peers like the Talking Heads and Patti Smith. But for years, Verlaine has been an elusive presence on the music scene — his recent release of two CDs is his first public work in 14 years.

An Icon of Rock Returns: Tom Verlaine

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Tom Verlaine spins everything from Charles Mingus to The Day the Earth Stood Still soundtrack. Stefano Giovannini/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Stefano Giovannini/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Guest DJ Tom Verlaine

May 18, 2006 • Guitarist Tom Verlaine, best known for his work with the New York punk band Television, talks about his own work and shares some of his favorite recordings.

Guest DJ Tom Verlaine

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All Songs Considered

Spring Look Ahead 2006

May 14, 2006 • Bob Boilen speaks with All Things Considered music reviewers Meredith Ochs and Tom Moon about their most anticipated CDs for Spring 2006.

Spring Look Ahead 2006

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All Songs Considered

Jeff Buckley, Tom Verlaine, Rokia Traore

October 1, 2001 • African stories from Rokia Traore; legendary Timbuktu artist Ali Farka Toure; the fingers and thumbs of Adrian Legg and more

Jeff Buckley, Tom Verlaine, Rokia Traore

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