A crowdfunding campaign has been set up to support former Television guitarist Richard Lloyd as he battles cancer. Lloyd, who played guitar alongside Tom Verlaine on Television's classic Marquee Moon album and its two follow-ups, was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a serious form of bile duct cancer, earlier this year.
The campaign has been set up by Sean Seymour, bass player in the Richard Lloyd group, who reveals that Lloyd has tumours in his liver, including one located dangerously close to a major blood vessel, which means that surgeons are currently unwilling to operate.
Seymour also reveals that the guitarist has been submitted to intensive care on seven occasions, and has suffered from sepsis [when the body has an extreme, toxic response to an infection] twice.
"Richard is currently unable to tour," says Seymour. "For a working musician, that’s devastating – not only because performing is what he loves, but because touring is his primary source of income. Richard and his wife, Sheila, are now facing serious financial pressure. Sheila is Richard’s full-time caregiver and is unable to work because Richard needs constant support.
"There have also been unresolved royalty issues going back roughly two years, creating another significant financial strain at an already incredibly difficult time. And, like most working musicians, Richard is being overwhelmed by crushing medical expenses and the ongoing costs of simply getting through each month while he is unable to work.
"This fundraiser will help Richard and Sheila with medical expenses, monthly living expenses, and the many other costs that come with Richard being unable to work and Sheila being a full-time caregiver."
“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," says Lloyd. "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."
Patti Smith, a fellow graduate of the CBGB school of New York punk, has donated $5000 to the fundraiser, which hopes to raise $80,000 to support Lloyd.
The launch of the fundraiser comes less than a week after a similar campaign was set up to support British guitarist Chris Spedding, who is also battling cancer.
