Biography
Suicide were a New York duo made up of vocalist Alan Vega and keyboardist Martin Rev. They formed on the Lower East Side around 1970 after seeing The Stooges, and became a guitar-free, synthesizer-driven act that influenced electronic music and 1980s synth bands[1].
Vega, who came up through the art world and the Art Workers' Coalition, cultivated the persona of a defiant outsider. The duo rejected the role of entertainers and described their work as gritty and uncompromisingly New York[2]. Their 1977 debut was recorded in four days and was largely panned in the United States, though it is now regarded as a milestone[3].
Ric Ocasek of The Cars produced their 1979 single "Dream Baby Dream" and their 1980 second album, and later produced Vega's solo album Saturn Strip and the duo's A Way of Life[1]. Bruce Springsteen became a prominent champion of "Dream Baby Dream" and recorded it in 2014. Vega died in July 2016[4].
References
- An introduction to Suicide in 10 records, The Vinyl Factory — Formation, influence and Ocasek collaborations
- Six Definitive Songs: The ultimate beginner's guide to Alan Vega, Far Out — Vega's persona and the band's origins
- Suicide (1977 album), Wikipedia — Debut album recording and reception
- Bruce Springsteen pays tribute to Suicide's Alan Vega at Denmark concert, NJ Arts — Vega's death in July 2016 and Springsteen's tribute