Television: Marquee Moon | Pop Culture Graveyard Ep 54 | Tom Verlaine & Richard Lloyd

This episode of Pop Culture Graveyard takes a deep dive on the classic album Marquee Moon by Television. Hollis breaks down Television's brilliant LP track by track, and talks about the various ingredients that make Marquee Moon such a masterpiece. Television's classic lineup of Tom Verlaine, Richard Lloyd, Fred Smith and Billy Ficca, released Marquee Moon on February 8, 1977, and since that time the legendary album has only grown in stature. Follow the links below to further explore the band's sound...
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If you don't already own this album, I hope this episode convinced you to do so:
amzn.to/3CqTDxe
Here is the full album, Marquee Moon, ripped from first-pressing vinyl, as originally heard on its 1977 release:
• Television - Marquee M...
Here is the full ten-minute-thirty-eight-second version of the song Marquee Moon, available on later pressings of the album, with its proper ending:
• Marquee Moon
Here is the super-early Richard Hell-lineup of the band rehearsing in manager Terry Ork's loft in 1974. This is a fascinating glimpse into Television at their most punk rock--that is to say, amateurish. They're very long on ideas and aesthetics, but short on professionalism. I find their interactions even more compelling than the songs they play:
• Television - The Full ...
Here's is the Richard Williams/Brian Eno demo for Marquee Moon taped in 1974 for Island Records. As the first commenter (Richard Lloyd) mentions, the band didn't take any of his ideas--though Eno sure had a bunch of them. When the band heard what they sounded like on this demo, Richard Hell's tenure in the band was given an expiration date:
• Television Marquee Mo...
Here is the Fred Smith-lineup of the band live at CBGB's in 1976. The band is still a bit looser than they sound on Marquee Moon (they practiced for six hours a day, seven days a week leading up to recording), but they are way tighter than ever before:
• Television : CBGB's, N...
Here is a newer performance (live in Brazil in 2005), which I'm including so you can actually see "who plays what" between Tom and Richard. (As you can probably tell from this episode, I'm a big Richard Lloyd fan.) The band play a dramatic intro to the song for about a minute, but once Tom hits the first notes of the song--and the crowd erupts with recognition--I get chills on the back of my neck. Such a classic song:
• Television - Marquee M...
00:00 Intro
04:04 See No Evil
06:17 Venus de Milo
08:38 Friction
09:40 Marquee Moon
14:01 Elevation
15:41 Guiding Light
16:37 Prove It
17:25 Torn Curtain
18:22 Outro
#PunkRock #TomVerlaine #RichardLloyd

[@burmajones803]

RIP Tom Verlaine. Thx Hollis for making this video. Very nice to rewatch it tonight.

[@raytrusty8618]

My sister used to play this in the house when i was 10 yrs old.....this album along with Aladdin sane by Bowie.........was fundamental to the music i would listen to thereafter........

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Whoah--best sister EVER! Nothing like having an early influence with great taste. Thanks for watching, Ray!

[@epsteenwusmerdered9878]

Genius of Marquee Moon aside, their second album Adventure is an often overlooked gem. And then there’s their third self-titled album, which is fantastic. Need I say more? Ok, I will. Tom Verlaine’s solo records are also great, and he saved one of the best songs of his career, Postcard from Waterloo, for his third solo album which was released in 1982. I’d say in terms of musicality and artfulness, Television were the best band to come from that CBGB scene. They’re just too sophisticated for most listeners to actually get the depth of their beauty.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

I do agree with you that the band's sophistication was one reason that mainstream success eluded them. But this was a band that was always far too idiosyncratic for mass acceptance. When you factor in band politics and Verlaine's prickly personality, they were always destined to remain a cult favorite. There's a reason it took them so long to release a debut, and why Verlaine still hasn't released a current-lineup Television album (although he's been promising one for twenty years). Given Tom's creative anxiety, I think we're very lucky we got the few albums we did.

[@Johnny-lr5jt]

Yes, everyone who likes Television should check out Verlaine's solo albums-they are very good.

[@degrassi420]

my grandpa was a recording engineer on Adventures

[@klovor]

venus is my favorite track but, this whole album is beautiful and toms vocals are just perfect.

[@LividImp]

Most music that was super adventurous 40 years ago now sounds really tame. I try to explain to my kids that there was a day when listening to music as mellow and conventional as The Cure or REM would get you branded a weirdo, and they just stare back at me in a "does not compute" kinda way. But for what ever reason, when I play Television for people who are unfamiliar with them, I still get that "this music is weird" vibe from them four decades later. It must be something deep and primal, and you either love it or it makes you itch. There is nothing quite like Marquee Moon and I feel it is going to stay that way.

[@burmajones803]

I am guessing that for mainstream listeners Verlaine's vocals are the bridge that gives people pause. Because if the first notes you hear from this band are See No Evil's opening riffs, how could you not be hooked immediately?

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Yeah, I think in general it's hard to explain that to kids, given that everyone likes their own stuff--whether it's top-40 pablum or obscure chiptune. And I doubt they can imagine a time where most people liked exactly the same music, and you were part of a small group who liked something else. I suppose, if anything, we punks/goths/hardcore/indie kids laid the groundwork for today's music-niche culture. I think the fact that Marquee Moon still sounds alien to your kids' generation really speaks well of it, because I believe that's how the album has always sounded--even to the band's own generation. You're so right; there's not another album like it.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

I totally agree about Verlaine's vocals, and if there's one thing keeping listeners at arm's length it's Tom's unique-yet-untrained voice. After all these years of listening to those songs, though, it's impossible for me to envision anyone else singing them. See No Evil was the song I'd play the most by Television when out Djing (outside of Marquee Moon, which I would routinely play as my final song of the night), because out of all the MM songs, it blended best with other music. Their most "fun" song, I would say.

[@LividImp]

@@PopCultureGraveyard Sorry, didn't mean to confuse, I didn't mean Television was off-putting to my kids, just mainstream folks in general. My kids grew up with stuff like Bobby Soxx and the Teenage Queers "Masochist Ice Cream Men on Drugs" and The Shirkers "Drunk and Disorderly", Television doesn't even make them look up. I just brought up telling them that story of an example of how much things have changed, not to say it was their reaction.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

@@LividImp Ah, gotcha. Yeah, I would've been surprised if Television were seen as that weird. Love that you dropped a Bobby Soxx and the Teenage Queers reference. That song is so great, and really is proof that all the Butthole Surfers hard work down in Texas wasn't in vain.

[@coldsharkride]

Wow, what an astute perspective on Marquee Moon. I've always been a fan of the title track, but you help uncover the other gems scattered throughout the LP. It's hard to pick a CBGB fave band, but Television is surely in the top two -- or one, I just can't decide! Is anyone as mystified as I am at Verlaine's vocal similarity to Patti Smith? Genius is genius. . . and it sometimes appears in the least expected places.

[@Abstract_Figure]

I was just saying this to someone ....in a way like a guy version of Patti Smith!!

[@bryanmorgan758]

Wow, great insights! I heard this will be the next Rhino High Fidelity, definitely grabbing it. Great video!

[@jonathanreich6360]

Very influential album for me and the way I played guitar. You hit all the high points on the background of things as well at least from Richard Lloyd's book and some other commentary. Great job. As much as I love Marquee Moon (and Lloyd's guitar solo on Elevation is definitely the high point for me -- all over the neck of the guitar), my favorite Television song is "Days" from Adventure. Perfect song with fantastic lyrics, great guitar interplay with incredible melodic Richard guitar playing, great drums and bass on it, and probably Tom's best singing.

[@curtdilger6235]

I agree it's one of my favorites too...seems almost like a feelgood pop song...so does Careful from that album

[@curtdilger6235]

This is a great and thorough review. I especially like the details about their interaction. Tom Verlaine's voice is the main issue keeping them from greater fame, in my opinion. If you like it, as I do, it's an acquired taste, but I think it puts many other people off. I think he's like Bob Dylan, or Donald Fagen. They don't have conventional voices so they kind of adopt a persona with their singing. TV created a weird, slightly menacing backwoods type I think, like when he says, 'Oh mister, you gone the wrong way...' in the song 'Souvenir from a Dream' and 'Yonki Time'. That said, I think he was a genius and his lyrics are amazing and some of the best, and his guitar work places him in the Hendrix Beck Page pantheon. RIP. Cheers.

[@nolagospeltracts8264]

I remember dropping the needle on "See No Evil" for the first time.

[@daymaker3294]

my favourite album of all time, wanna buy it so bad but here in kazakhstan i couldn't find, and it's pretty expensive in another countries for me

[@mazgriffiths8922]

i just cant pigeon hole this masterpiece with punk - its so much more

[@ufohead1]

100% lots of good background info thank you

[@burmajones803]

The title track is sublime. On par for me with Coltrane's My Favorite Things. You captured the song's peak moment really well. I've always thought of those shards of guitar at the song's peak as birds darting down from on high, but glitter drifting down is a nice image. Did not realize Verlaine was THAT prickly. Have you read the 33 1/3 series book about this album. A great little history of the CBGB's era. Loved this episode. Nice work. Thx.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Hey Eric, thanks for the kind words. Always appreciate your thoughtful comments. I definitely can hear the birds you speak of, and I like that we hear slightly different things--which only speaks to the music's imagery. You know I haven't read any of the books in the 33 1/3 series. I got the Paul's Boutique one as a gift a year or so ago, but haven't cracked it yet. I should really get into those. And yes, when you open a dictionary and look up the word prickly , it says, "See Tom Verlaine."

[@curly_wyn]

R.I.P. Tom Verlaine!! 🥺😭🖤🤍

[@favoritethings3065]

Love this review!….your passion for each track is so genuine…thank you. Love this album!

[@po7ta]

This is an awesome video dude you deserve millions of views

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thank you, my friend! Not gonna lie, a few million views would be nice.

[@stevegram9000]

Amazing, seminal album.

[@kevinnickel7529]

Torn Curtains is a masterpiece.

[@luisfernandoenrique]

Brother this is amazing. Thank you

[@BobDuvet]

Another winner! You my friend are a winner!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Haha! Thank you, Bob! Glad you always have my back.

[@conflictmagazine]

So nice to hear it referred to as Punk Rock...what made original Punk Rock great was its diversity. In an interview with John Lydon years later you could tell his level of disappointment with the first wave of UK Punk Rock when he said he wished other bands had done their own thing instead of just copying the Pistols. A great album from a great period of creativity in American music that stands the test of time. It is truly timeless...

[@mdduckman]

Absolutely LOVED your overview of this classic album - I had heard Marquee Moon years ago but I just recently listened to the album from beginning to end and I'm now borderline obsessed with it. I can't believe I didn't listen to (or even know about) this album in my teens when I had a voracious appetite for all things alternative. You would think I would have come across it but doesn't matter - it's never too late to discover the magic of this album. I really enjoyed your comments and notes - thank you so much! I just subscribed and look forward to watching other videos on your channel. Thanks again!!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thanks, Mort! Welcome to the channel! So happy that my love for this album is infectious. I think this album could have saved a lot of us in our teens, but it tends to find us in its own time. Hope you enjoy the other episodes!

[@henriksrensen3220]

Amazing album

[@tourist1313]

RIP Tom Verlaine.

[@kyler9276]

That Richard Hell and the Voidoids shirt kicks ass!

[@smilan116]

Awesome video, made me appreciate the album even more!

[@mikescott433]

...fantastic work - as always...

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thanks a lot, Mike! Much appreciated!

[@grahamed]

Nailed it. This is the really good stuff, just what I was hoping for. Allegedly, MM starts again at the end because Billy thought they were just running through it, and so kicked it off again. Nope, that take was the one. Now do Adventure :)

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Haha, thank you! Yes, you're right about Billy, and that just goes to show you how many first takes were used on this album. Though this album's known for its meticulous beauty, I think Andy Johns captured some great spontaneity.

[@rjwusher]

In order to understand this episode fully I first listened to the entire album (online). Very subtle music indeed. Somewhat melancholy. Many records in this specific era had an undertone of shattered illusion, like Joni's "The Hissing of Summer Lawns" (talk about an artist deserving of a deep dive), Steely Dan's "Katy Lied" and Little Feat's "The Last Record Album", to name a few. The blizzard of punk blew away the last autumn leaves. An important record nonetheless. Good work! Looking forward to the episode about the band that shall not be mentioned to non-Patreons.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Haha! That band is finally next weeks' episode! It's tough when I get an impetus to do something (like Marquee Moon or Bikini Kill) I just throw myself into it and plans get bumped sometimes. I appreciate you doing that homework and listening to MM beforehand. There definitely is a sadness to this album; even the more upbeat numbers create the feeling that it's music made by outsiders. It only grows on you too, and gets stuck in your head. Such a classic. Thanks for the comment!

[@lorettatalavera3215]

I discovered Television when I heard New York Dolls! Love this band very current sound of today alternative sound. I think this is band is most underrated band. Love all the early punk era in NYC… I was 11 year old when the scene was happening. Great band. Talent musicians

[@ewmlloyd]

To be honest, I never realized that "Richie" was Richard Hell... Elevation is my favorite solo on the album too. IIRC, it was almost the title track.

[@justincase226]

nicely put, man

[@mariawesley7583]

Hi Hollis. What a great channel you have. I love my vinyl copy of "Live at the Old Waldorf", so I'm thinking my next purchase will be "Marquee Moon". I'll check out those links in the description too. I recently got the compilation "Spurts: The Richard Hell Story" on CD. Thanks for consistently putting out thoughtful content and wonderfully visual descriptions of the music!

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

What a lovely comment! I really appreciate the kind words, especially from a repeat viewer. You certainly can't go wrong with Marquee Moon. That's a great Hell compilation, with some of my favorite RH songs, such as Crack of Dawn and Ignore That Door. (What an amazing group of talent that original CBGB's scene had! It's amazing that basically two runaway poets founded several (Television, the Voidoids, the Heartbreakers) of the most important bands of the early NYC punk movement.) Enjoy those links, and thanks for the great comment!

[@pobbard]

This is great - it's my favorite LP and band of all time - I really enjoyed listening to this. I learned a few things I didn't know! I also like Hollis' t-shirt! (For any other Television/Hell fans out there, I run a FB group dedicated to the band and its members: facebook.com/groups/marqueemoon)

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thanks for stopping by, Phil! Glad you enjoyed the episode--and my shirt! Always happy to meet a fellow Television fan. Please feel free to share my video with your group. Cheers!

[@madinramirez5362]

Thank you so much

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

So glad you enjoyed the episode! Covering this album was a labor of love.

[@nolagospeltracts8264]

oh yes! Can't wait to watch this one. Somebody put the title track on a mix cassette (remember those?) and gave it to me back in 1983. Then I went out and bought both the albums.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Hell yeah, I was the king of the mixtape! Sounds like someone gave you a great one if it had Marquee Moon on it.

[@ClueSign]

I like how you just hold the album sleeve up while you talk to the camera for 20 minutes.

[@jackschu5219]

I’m not sure why but I don’t think I’ve heard a catchier moment in music than the outro section of see no evil

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

I can't argue with that!

[@nolagospeltracts8264]

Hey, Hollis. diging the "Full Ork Loft show so far. Stand out track "Eat the Light" with Hell on vocals.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Yeah, they were such a different band with Hell, but then again they weren't? Eat the Light is great. I love that that footage exists. It really demystifies the historical image or "brilliant musicians creating brilliant masterpieces," to have this video of "clueless kids fumbling their way towards an identity."

[@thewalrus5198]

You should make a video going through your record collection, I'd love to see what's on those shelves.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Thanks for the interest, but that sounds like a big job. The records behind me are the tip of the iceberg. Perhaps I could do a short overview--a very special "Hollis After Dark" episode, where I take a trip through my vinyl.

[@nolagospeltracts8264]

Wow! I didn't know about the Roxy Music connection.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

Oh yeah, Verlaine is still sore about it. On Sentimental Fool, with the line "Will it stop?" and the whole band stops. TV used to do that on Venus de Milo, but the band got tired of it and changed it. There's the bird calls on Nightingale, an effect TV used to do on the song Prove It. So many things. That's the problem with taking years to put out your debut, so many people with easier path to put out albums can scoop you.

[@stuff3829]

To me the title track is about lovers having sex. One of all time favorite albums

[@nolagospeltracts8264]

A dig at Hitchcock. Ha, ha.

[@tonyrayjames3526]

Marquee Moon is punk rocks Dark Side of the Moon......it may be better.

[@PopCultureGraveyard]

I can't argue with that! It definitely takes you on a journey, and opens up your mind in a way much NY Punk does not. It also is a much more visceral experience without the humor or "characters" of Dark Side to soften the blow. Plus, its cryptic lyrics allow you to interpret the songs in many ways. Nothing against Dark Side, but it's locked to this day into the category "hippie albums," whereas Marquee Moon is experienced by new listeners today as something very current sounding. Thanks for the comment!

[@moneywolfmusic8212]

Not to be a prick, but Shakespeare was on the rose/thorn tip way before Television or Poison. "No more be grieved at that which thou hast done: Roses have thorns, and silver fountains mud; Clouds and eclipses stain both moon and sun, And loathsome canker lives in sweetest bud." www.shakespeares-sonnets.com/sonnet/35 Btw, with full acknowledgement that this isn't an "Every Rose Has its Thorn" critique video, the chorus makes no sense. Every rose has its thorn - rose good, thorn bad just like every night has its dawn - night bad, dawn good just like every cowboy sings a sad, sad song - cowboy...good?, singing a sad song...bad? And why are we talking about cowboys? Seriously. Wth?