TV on the Radio Bassist Dies of Cancer

Brooklyn-based group TV on the Radio announced on its Web site that its bassist, Gerard Smith, has died of lung cancer.

Smith joined the band in 2005, but was not playing on the band's current tour because of his illness. He recorded on the past two TV on the Radio albums, Dear Science and Nine Types of Light, which was just released last week.

TV on The Radio announced it has canceled five of its upcoming shows in Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis and Denver.

Smith was born in Harlem, raised on Long Island and lived in Brooklyn. Before joining the band, he used to busk on New York streets, and was a regular at the Bedford Avenue L station.

Were you at the Radio City TV on the Radio show on April 13? Did the band make an announcement about him during the show? Please let us know by posting a comment below, or if you'd like, add your own memory of Smith.