Punk and Alternative Rock Icon Tom Verlaine of The Band Television Has Died



Founding member of the band Television and an early influencer on Punk, Post-Punk, and later the Alternative Rock movement, Tom Verlaine has died. He was 73. Tom died “peacefully” in New York City, “surrounded by close friends,” following a brief illness, according to a news release from Jesse Paris Smith, the daughter of Verlaine’s former partner Patti Smith. Originally teaming up with Richard Hell in Neon Boys, the band eventually became Television, along with fellow lead guitarist Richard Lloyd, helping transform Rock music with their inventive guitar playing and songcraft. Television was one of the first regular bands at CBGB’s which galvanized the Punk Rock movement. Even before Television, Verlaine has a 50-year of song-writing partnership with Patti Smith, a former romantic partner. Later Verlaine’s solo work had a massive effect on Post-Punk as well as Alternative, and he left his imprint on countless other bands he produced, wrote for, and side projects he participated in. RIP.

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Riot Fest 2021 Adds Patti Smith, Alkaline Trio, The Flaming Lips and More


Riot Fest has made the final weekend additions to the 2021 event, kicking off September 19th, 2021, which will be the fest’s first-ever Thursday Preview Party. Patti Smith and Her Band and Alkaline Trio will join Thursday night, with additional sets from Joyce Manor (performing their self-titled 2011 debut), WDRL, and Kristeen Young. As for Sunday, The Flaming Lips will return to Riot Fest on Sunday, bringing the fest-favorites back to Douglass Park on September 19 to replace Pixies. Sunday attendees will also get into the Thursday Preview Party for free, with a host of freshly-announced perks included. Tickets are on sale now at the link below.

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KISS To Receive ASCAP Founders Award at 32nd Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards


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The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will present KISS with the ASCAP Founders Award at their 32nd Annual ASCAP Pop Music Awards on April 29, 2015 at The Loews Hollywood Hotel in Hollywood, CA. The event is invite only. The ASCAP Founders Award goes to ASCAP’s pioneering songwriters who have made exceptional contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators. Past recipients include Sir Paul McCartney, Smokey Robinson, Patti Smith, Steely Dan, Rod Stewart, James Taylor, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Tom Waits, Stevie Wonder and Neil Young.