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Blondie bassist Fred Smith has died aged 77 after suffering a 'long illness'.
Fred was a founding member of the legendary rock band alongside Debbie Harry, and was best known for his work with the group Television.
His cause of death is currently unknown.
His bandmate and guitarist Jimmy Rip revealed Fred had been battling an illness for 'years' before he passed away on Thursday.
He wrote on Instagram: 'The legendary bassist for Television, Tom Verlaine and many others, Fred Smith, was not only my bandmate for 46 years - he was my true friend.
'He was a great running buddy and exactly the guy you wanted around when road life got wearisome.
Blondie bassist Fred Smith has died aged 77 after suffering a long illness (pictured in 2016)
Fred was a founding member of the legendary rock band alongside Debbie Harry, and was best known for his work with the group Television
'His sense of humour, much like his musical voice, was dry, subtle, to the point, hilarious and always left you wanting a more.
'Yesterday, he left this world, leaving so many who loved him wanting so much more…of him.
'We met in 1980 playing, with Jay Dee Daugherty on drums, in The Eve Moon Band, and soon after, the three of us were the NYC version of Holly and The Italians with Holly Beth Vincent.
'In 1981 when Tom Verlaine was preparing to tour for his disc Dreamtime, which Fred and Jay had performed on, they recommended me as second guitar, leading to very long and rich musical, and personal friendships.
'If you are a lover of melodic bass lines and counterpoint, you could go to school on what Fred created so effortlessly.
'He was a natural - never flashy, always essential - always serving the song in ways that only the greatest musicians can…
'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 music live this year… but it just wasn’t meant to be.
'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.'
Fred became the original bassist for Angel And The Snake, which soon turned into Blondie (pictured in 2016)
His bandmate and guitarist Jimmy Rip revealed Fred had been battling an illness for 'years' before he passed away on Thursday
Fred became the original bassist for Angel And The Snake, which soon turned into Blondie.
The musician stayed with the band from 1974 until parting ways to join Television.
On his departure from the band, Fred said: 'Blondie was like a sinking ship and Television was my favourite band.'
Fred's Television bandmate shared a heartfelt tribute: 'A very sad goodbye to this legendary bassist and my dear friend of 46 years. I will miss him more than words can say.'
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