TV On The Radio bassist Gerard Smith dies

TV On The Radio's bassist Gerard Smith has passed away from lung cancer.

The bassist and occasional keyboardist from the Brooklyn indie band began treatment for lung cancer in March.

The treatment meant he was unable to tour the band's new album Nine Types Of Light.

Now, TV On The Radio have announced on their website that he passed away on the morning of April 20.

They write: "We are very sad to announce the death of our beloved friend and bandmate, Gerard Smith, following a courageous fight against lung cancer. Gerard passed away the morning of April 20th, 2011. We will miss him terribly."

The band have cancelled their Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis and Denver shows that were to take place over the next week.

Smith joined the band in 2005, contributing piano, bass, organ, vocals, guitar, and sitar to their albums Return To Cookie Mountain, Dear Science and Nine Types Of Light, which was released just two weeks ago.

Smith was 34 years old.

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