BEIJING, April 21 (Xinhuanet) -- TV on the Radio bassist Gerard Smith died of lung cancer Wednesday at the age of 34 after battling the disease, according to media reports.

Gerard Smith was diagnosed last year with lung cancer, shortly after the band recorded its latest album “Nine Types of Light,” which came out last Tuesday.

"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’s statement reads.

The band cancelled five upcoming tour dates in Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis and Denver in support of their well-received fourth studio album Nine Types of Light.

Smith joined the band in 2005 and was a contributor to their third and fourth albums.