Television guitarist Richard Lloyd has revealed that he has been diagnosed with bile duct cancer and is asking fans for financial assistance as he faces the illness.
The bile ducts are narrow passageways that link organs such as the liver and gall bladder and play a role in the digestive system.
The NHS says the condition can be treated, although it can also be challenging to manage, which is the situation Richard is currently experiencing.
Friends of the musician have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help him through the difficult period, particularly as his health has prevented him from touring.
The fundraiser was started by his Richard Lloyd Group bandmate Sean Seymour, who explained that the guitarist is dealing with “tumors in his liver, including one located dangerously close to a major blood vessel”.
According to Seymour, the location of the tumour makes surgery particularly complicated because attempting to remove it could result in damage to the nearby blood vessel.
Richard has also gone through seven ICU stays and a series of serious health emergencies, including two bouts of life threatening sepsis, as well as complications affecting his liver and kidneys.
Funds raised through the campaign will go towards helping Richard and his wife Sheila cope with the financial consequences of his condition, including healthcare expenses, household needs and the loss of income while Richard is unable to work and Sheila looks after him full time.
Seymour said: “Richard is currently unable to tour.
“For a working musician, that’s devastating, not only because performing is what he loves, but because touring is his primary source of income.”
He additionally highlighted “unresolved royalty issues going back roughly two years, creating another significant financial strain at an already incredibly difficult time”, while saying Lloyd is “being overwhelmed by crushing medical expenses”.
Seymour also appealed directly to Richard’s supporters, writing: “Richard has spent decades giving his music to other people. Now it’s our turn to give something back to him. If Richard’s music has meant something to you - if you’ve listened to Marquee Moon, seen Television perform, followed Richard’s career, or simply know and love him as a person – please consider donating. And if you aren’t able to donate, please share this fundraiser. Sharing it may be just as important as giving. I’ve been lucky enough to stand beside Richard on stage for the past four years. Right now, I’d like to stand beside him in a different way. Let’s help Richard and Sheila get through this.”
Richard also shared a personal message about his situation, saying: “I am usually a pretty upbeat person and I am taking this in stride, but it has become very difficult on our own and financially we are strapped. That’s why I’m asking for your help. If you can see your way clear to make a donation please do that. Otherwise, please pass it around to your friends that might help and people that know me.”
Among those who have already contributed are punk rock icon Patti Smith and Susan Tweedy, who is married to Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy.
The fundraiser has set a target of $80,000 (£58,690), with donations already reaching around half of the intended amount.
Television emerged from New York’s influential rock scene during the 1970s and became one of the era’s notable alternative rock groups.
Richard announced in 2007 that he would no longer perform with the band because of health problems, shortly before a concert in Central Park. Jimmy Rip stepped in for that performance and later became his permanent replacement in the group.
Television frontman Tom Verlaine died in 2023 at the age of 73, and the band has remained inactive since then.
