Alan Vega

The Profile

Alan Vega (1938–2016) was an American vocalist and visual artist, co‑founder of Suicide with Martin Rev and a pioneer of synth‑punk. His solo work bent rockabilly, blues, and electronics into stark, confrontational forms; notable releases include Alan Vega, Collision Drive, Saturn Strip, Station and the posthumous IT. He collaborated widely, including Cubist Blues (with Alex Chilton and Ben Vaughn) and Getchertiktz (with Ric Ocasek and Gillian McCain).

Born Boruch Alan Bermowitz; American; co‑founded Suicide with Martin Rev; active from the 1970s until his death in 2016; spouse and collaborator Liz Lamere; collaborations include Alex Chilton, Ben Vaughn, Ric Ocasek, Gillian McCain, and Pan Sonic; influential in synth‑punk and electronic underground.

Eight DeBaser reviews trace Alan Vega’s path from rockabilly sabotage to scorched electronic sermons. Suicide’s shadow looms large, collaborations spark (Chilton/Vaughn, Ocasek/McCain), and late-era noise sculpture gets praise. One 80s FM turn gets torched. Overall: a cult figure read with fervor.