Television and Blondie bassist Fred Smith dies at 77

Fred Smith, a former member of Blondie and a famous bass player for the proto-punk band Television, died at 77.

An update posted on the official Instagram account of Television revealed that Smith had died on Thursday, February 5. 

Moreover, it was disclosed that he died after fighting an "unspecified disease."

Smith was first introduced to the music scene with Angel and the Snake, a band whose name was later changed to Blondie.

He departed the band in 1975 to fill the position that Richard Hell had vacated in Television amid the disbandment of Television in 1978.

Later, Smith remained involved in work alongside bandmates Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd on their solo work.

Over the years, he also toured with various musicians and among them were Willie Nile, The Revelons, Peregrins and the Roches.

In 1992, Smith rejoined the band when it reformed and took part in several tours.

In the recent tribute, Television member Jimmy Rip marked Smith as his “true friend," announcing, "Yesterday, he left this world, leaving so many who loved him wanting so much more...of him."

According to Rip, Smith struggled with a chronic disease and he marked the last words the duo shared.

"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 [Verlaine] music live this year… but it just wasn't meant to be.”

Continuing, “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."

In addition to music, Smith, with his wife, Paula Cereghino, jointly established the artisanal art winery, Cereghino Smith in Bloomington, New York.