Suicide was an American musical duo composed of vocalist Alan Vega and instrumentalist Martin Rev, intermittently active between 1970 and 2016.

The group's pioneering music used minimalist electronic instrumentation, including synthesizers and primitive drum machines, and their early performances were confrontational and often ended in violence.

Their debut album Suicide (1977) was described by Entertainment Weekly as "a landmark of electronic music",[10] while AllMusic stated that it "provided the blueprints for post-punk, synth pop, and industrial rock.

Producing visual art under the name Alan Suicide, Bermowitz graduated from painting to light sculptures,[note 1] many of which were constructed from electronic debris.

"[15] After the collapse of the Mercer Arts Center in 1973, Suicide played at Max's Kansas City and CBGB (before being banned), often sharing the bill with emerging punk bands.

Nick Hornby writes, "'Che', 'Ghost Rider'—these eerie, sturdy, proto-punk anthems rank among the most visionary, melodic experiments the rock realm has yet produced."

After a tour opening for the Cars, Alan Vega received a call from Michael Zilkha of Ze Records asking if he could sign Suicide to his label.

In 2005, SAF Publishing put out Suicide No Compromise, a "docu-biography" by David Nobahkt, which featured extensive interviews with Vega and Rev as well as many of their contemporaries and fans.

Among those paying tribute were Bruce Springsteen, Primal Scream, Peaches, Grinderman, Spiritualized, The Horrors, +Pansonic, Julian Cope, Lydia Lunch, Vincent Gallo, LIARS, and The Klaxons.

[21] In September 2009, the group performed their debut LP live in its entirety as part of the All Tomorrow's Parties-curated Don't Look Back series.

[28] His death was announced by musician and radio host Henry Rollins, who shared an official statement from Vega's family on his website.

[29] Rev's simple keyboard riffs, which were initially played on a battered Farfisa organ combined with effects units, before changing to a synthesizer, were accompanied by primitive drum machines.

The duo was influenced by musicians such as Elvis, Roy Orbison, Gene Vincent,[30] Eddie Cochran,[30] Johnny Burnette,[30] Lou Reed,[30] Captain Beefheart,[30] Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Fats Domino, The Stooges, John Coltrane,[30] Albert Ayler,[30] Question Mark & the Mysterians, [31] and Silver Apples.

[35] Musicians who have listed Suicide as an influence include, among others, Television, Chrome, Wire, Public Image Ltd, Gary Numan, Richard Hell, Pere Ubu, Patti Smith, Talking Heads,[36] Cabaret Voltaire, Steve Albini (from Shellac, Rapeman, and Big Black),[37] Head of David (covered "Rocket USA"), Gang Gang Dance, Kap Bambino, Spacemen 3, Spiritualized, Angel Corpus Christi (covers of "Dream Baby Dream" and "Cheree" with Alan Vega guest vocals), Michael Gira of Swans, MGMT, Sky Ferreira, Sonic Boom, Loop, The Fleshtones (both of whom have recorded cover versions of "Rocket USA"), Ric Ocasek of The Cars, Mi Ami, Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth,[38] Bono Vox, The Jesus and Mary Chain,[30] Bauhaus,[39] The Sisters of Mercy,[40] Soft Cell, Sigue Sigue Sputnik, The Scientists, The Birthday Party,[41] Joy Division,[30] New Order,[42] Nick Cave,[43] D.A.F., Erasure, the music of Giant Haystacks, The KLF,[44] Ministry, Nine Inch Nails,[45] OMD, Rocket from the Tombs, Cassandra Complex (and covered "Frankie Teardrop"), Mudhoney,[46] Ariel Pink,[47] Nitzer Ebb,[48] Depeche Mode,[49] R.E.M.

(covered "Ghost Rider"),[50] Radiohead,[42] Devo, Ultravox, Massive Attack,[51] Autechre, The Chemical Brothers, Pet Shop Boys,[44] Tears for Fears, Daft Punk, Aphex Twin,[52] Henry Rollins, The Kills, the Membranes, She Wants Revenge, AFI,[53] Air, and Bruce Springsteen.

That same year The Fatima Mansions released a cover of "Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne", as part of their 1994 single "Nite Flights".

Later that year, Primal Scream and Miss Kittin covered the song "Diamonds, Fur Coat, Champagne" for a limited-edition 10-inch vinyl pressing.

The song was also covered by British duo The Last Shadow Puppets at New York City's Terminal 5, as a tribute to Alan Vega, shortly after his death in 2016.