Punk pioneer Alan Vega dies at 78

Former Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins says punk pioneer Alan Vega has died.

Rollins announced the death on his website and has released what he describes as a family-approved statement.

It says Vega died in his sleep Saturday night at age 78. The statement doesn't list a cause or say where Vega died.

"Alan was not only relentlessly creative, writing music and painting until the end, he was also startlingly unique," the statement said.

Vega and Martin Rev teamed in the early 1970s to form the duo, Suicide. The band never achieved mass popularity, but is widely regarded as a forerunner of punk and electronic music.

"Almost immediately, their incredible and unclassifiable music went against every possible grain. Their confrontational live performances, light-years before punk rock, are the stuff of legend. Their first, self-titled album is one of the single most challenging and noteworthy achievements in American music," according to the statement from Rollins.

News of Vega's death has prompted reaction among the world of rock music.

Bruce Springsteen calls Vega "one of the great revolutionary voices in rock and roll.

 "The bravery and passion he showed throughout his career was deeply influential to me," Springsteen wrote on his website.

"I was lucky enough to get to know Alan slightly and he was always a generous and sweet spirit. The blunt force power of his greatest music both with Suicide and on his solo records can still shock and inspire today. There was simply no one else remotely like him."

Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist, Flea, has tweeted a tribute, calling Vega "a great innovator."

Others, including bands MGMT and Win Butler of Arcade Fire, were among those paying musical tributes to the pioneer.