PERFORMING ARTS

Infinite Dreams: The Life of Alan Vega

Backbeat: Rowman & Littlefield. Jun. 2024. 288p. ISBN 9781493072484. $40. BIOG
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Artist and musician Alan Vega (1938–2016) is best known for cofounding the punk duo Suicide, yet his influence spans musical genres and artistic mediums. Davis-Chanin (The Girl in the Back) and Vega’s wife and longtime collaborator, Lamere, coauthored this exploration into his life and art. The authors compile interviews, reflections, and a large collection of photographs to create a comprehensive narrative of Vega’s life. Starting with his childhood in New York and his first art classes at Brooklyn College, the book documents his journey through performance and visual art and shows the impact he made during his lifetime and after his death. A strength of this book is its eclectic mix of artists, performers, and music industry participants who discuss Vega’s impact on their life and work. From Bruce Springsteen to Lydia Lunch and Henry Rollins, the inspiration of Vega’s music is evident in the words of his friends and admirers.
VERDICT This biography’s candid photos and collections of images present an intimate glimpse into Vega’s life, work, and influence as an artist and performer.
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