Suzanne Vega - Biography

Widely regarded as one of the most brilliant songwriters of her generation, Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980’s when, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she sang contemporary folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs.

Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she has performed sell-out concerts in many of the world's best-known venues. With the release in 1987 of "Solitude Standing," her second album, including the hit single "Luka," Ms. Vega vaulted to a position of prominence in the world of popular music.

In 1986, Vega wrote the lyrics for two pieces in Philip Glass's song cycle "Songs from Liquid Days." She collaborated with Anton Sanko to produce her third album, "Days of Open Hand" (1990). Inspired in part by the British group DNA's successful remix of "Tom's Diner," from "Solitude Standing," she released "99.9F," which won a New York Music Award as Best Rock Album of 1992. She has collaborated with Philip Glass, Joe Jackson, Arthur Baker, They Might Be Giants, and The Lemonheads. She has contributed her work to the Disney compilation, "Stay Awake," the Grateful Dead tribute, "Dedicated," "Pavarotti & Friends," the Leonard Cohen tribute, "Tower of Song," and to the soundtracks for the films "Dead Man Walking" and "The Truth About Cats and Dogs."

Vega’s fifth album, "Nine Objects of Desire," was released in 1996. In 1999, she released a book, "The Passionate Eye: The Collected Writings of Suzanne Vega," published by Spike/Avon Books. Her critically acclaimed sixth album, "Songs in Red and Gray," was released in September 2001.

Ms. Vega has been involved with organisations devoted to children’s issues since 1988, including Amnesty International’s Working Group for Children and Casa Alianza who provide care, rehabilitation and legal aid services for the Street Children of Central America. In her forward to Amnesty publication "Childhood Stolen" Suzanne Vega wrote:

"Childhood is where humanity begins. Therefore any discussion of human rights must include the rights of children: the right from birth to a name, to acquire a nationality and to know and be cared for by his or her parents and the right of a child to play, follow recreational activities and to participate in the cultural and artistic life. Being human alone entitles them to protection, but the fact that they are small and more vulnerable entitles them to special protection."

Suzanne Vega’s renewed interest in children’s rights came about in 1992 following a meeting with Fred Shortland in Corby Northamptonshire whilst on a World Tour. Since that time they have worked together on many projects both for Amnesty International and Casa Alianza geared towards raising awareness of children’s rights and funding for both organizations. Fred Shortland, Director Casa Alianza UK and Ex-Chair of Amnesty International’s UK Working Group for Children stated "We are indeed most privileged to enjoy Suzanne’s continued support, we have an excellent working relationship, Suzanne fully understands the enormity of our task and is a most eloquent and outstanding advocate for society’s most vulnerableâ our children.