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Nicholson Baker's "The Fermata"

In chapter 13 of Nicholson Baker's "The Fermata," a woman is listening to 'Solitude Standing' in her car. Later on, the song is played on a portable radio. There are several lyric quotes as well.

In a 1993 interview, Nicholson Baker said, "I wrote 'Fermata' listening to Suzanne Vega, particularly her album 99.9F. It affected my mood in just the right way. I found a kind of maniacal intensity in her music that helped me as I typed. So if 'Fermata' is attacked, maybe I can say i'm not responsible because I was under the spell of Suzanne Vega."

In a 1999 interview with Heidi R. Moore, Baker says,about listening to Suzanne's music while writing "The Fermata": "Listening to a woman singer you also feel as if you're really thinking her thoughts. That helps me...."

Orange Prize for Fiction Judge

In 2001, Suzanne was a judge for the Orange Prize for Fiction. From the Orange website, "The Orange Prize for Fiction is among the UK's largest annual literary awards for a single novel. Since its launch in 1996, it has become one of the most prestigious and influential awards in the literary calendar." Suzanne performed at the awards to a receptive audience. Other judges on the panel were: former newspaper editor Rosie Boycott, journalist Kate Adie, novelist Emily Perkins and Dr Rachel Holmes of internet bookseller Amazon. The award went to Australian novelist Kate Grenville.

Ambassador Vega?

In 2002, Suzanne was ordained an "Ambassador Of Hans Christian Andersen." Other ambassadors include Harvey Keitel, Boyd Gaines, Connie Nielsen, McCoy Tyner, Susan Sarandon, soccer legend Pele, and Peter Martins. From the HCA2005 website:

"Ambassadors for Andersen Up to the bicentennial, a long list of Danish and international celebrities and icons in politics, sports, movies, culture and entertainment will be appointed Hans Christian Andersen Ambassadors who will contribute to promoting the awareness of the life and work of Hans Christian Andersen.

HRH Crown Prince Frederik appointed the first Hans Christian Andersen Ambassadors at a ceremony in New York last autumn.

The first seven Ambassadors are:
Rock musician Suzanne Vega, the actor Harvey Keitel, the actress Susan Sarandon, the actor Boyd Gaines, the Danish-American actress Connie Nielsen, the jazz pianist McCoy Tyner and the Danish Artistic Director of the New York City Ballet, Peter Martins. The appointing of Pelé at Copenhagen Town Hall is the first appointing of a H.C. Andersen Ambassador in Denmark."

Suzanne in MAD Magazine

In the May 2003 issue of Mad Magazine (see below cover), Suzanne is featured on the "Celebrity Visits" page. (right, click for larger view).

"Back on the Letters Page in MAD #422 we printed readers' interpretations of the line, "Am I Your MAD Magazine?" from a Suzanne Vega song called "Machine Ballerina." To our surprise, Miss Suzanne Vega herself showed up on MAD's humble doorstep bearing, among other things, an Alfred E. Neuman bust that she made herself when she was 13 years old. Thanks to Suzanne for bringing this treasure by for us to see. Suzanne, you are our MAD Magazine!"

Famous Friends

• In 1986, Suzanne met Prince Charles and Lady Diana following her concert at The Royal Albert Hall.
• Now-famed author JT Leroy, author of "Sarah", "The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things" and most recently, "Harold's End" interviewed Suzanne for a cover story in the 26 May 1999 issue of the New York Press. Suzanne Vega returned the favor by appearing at a NYC Fez reading when Sarah was published the following year.
• In 1988, Suzanne met the President of Portugal. Read Suzanne's amusing account of this event in the "By Suzanne" section of this website. (photo below).



• In October 1988, Suzanne performed for the King & Queen of Spain, as part of a lavish show celebrating the start of preparations for the 1992 Olympics.
• On December 10, 2001, Suzanne performed for the President and First Lady of Poland.
• In 2002, Suzanne had lunch with the Crown Prince of Denmark.
• Suzanne's Junior High School teacher was Ruth Messinger, now Manhattan's Borough President.