Klaus Nomi
(January 24, 1944 - August 6, 1983) Germany
Performer
Klaus Nomi (born Klaus Sperber) was a counter-tenor and baritone singer and performer, noted for his remarkable vocal performances and unusual stage persona. He died of AIDS-related illness, one of the first celebrities to die of this disease.
Nomi moved from Germany to New York City in the mid-1970s, where David Bowie saw his nightclub act and hired him as a backup singer. Nomi and Joey Arias famously performed with Bowie on an episode of Saturday Night Live in 1979. Nomi also collaborated with Manny Parrish.
Nomi is remembered for his bizarrely theatrical live performances, sporting heavy make-up, unusual costumes, and highly-stylized hairdos. His songs were just as unusual, ranging from synthesizer-laden interpretations of classic opera to covers of songs like Chubby Checker's The Twist.
LPs & CDs:
- Klaus Nomi (1981)
- Simple man (1982)
- Encore (1984)
- In concert (1986)
- The collection (1991)
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