In this 2008 photo released by Interscope Records: Gerard Smith bassist for the band TV on the Radio. Smith died Wednesday, April 20 of lung cancer. - AP File Photo

LOS ANGELES: Critically acclaimed rock band TV On The Radio said Friday that its bass player Gerard Smith has died of cancer at the age of 36.

“We are very sad to announce the death of our beloved friend and bandmate, Gerard Smith, following a courageous fight against lung cancer,” the band said on its website.

“Gerard passed away the morning of April 20, 2011. We will miss him terribly.”

The group, which plays a variety of styles including art rock, said it would cancel five planned upcoming concerts.

TV On The Radio has issued four studio albums since 2004, “Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes,” “Return to Cookie Mountain,” “Dear Science” and this year's “Nine Types of Light.”