Fred Smith, the influential bassist best known for his work with New York art-punk pioneers Television (and as an early member of Blondie), has died at 77 following a long illness. His passing was confirmed on Thursday, February 5, 2026, with longtime collaborator and guitarist Jimmy Rip sharing that Smith had been fighting health issues for years. While headlines often spotlight front people, Smith’s reputation was built on the kind of musicianship that holds a song together without demanding attention—melodic, steady, and unmistakably his.

In Rip’s tribute, he remembered Smith not only as a bandmate of decades, but as a “true friend,” praising his dry humor, his reliability on the road, and the way his bass lines served the music rather than his ego. It’s a reminder that the most essential artists are sometimes the least flashy: they shape the feeling of a track, the mood of a live show, and the trust inside a band. Smith’s death leaves a quiet space behind—one filled with the echoes of songs he helped build, and the respect of people who knew that greatness isn’t always loud.