Guide Note:

Klaus Nomi was a countertenor who mixed various styles of music such as rock, disco, classical and opera. Nomi was born in Germany and raised by his single mother. He was a self-taught singer and chef.

Early Years

Nomi began his career in the 1960's working as an usher in Deutshe Oper in Berlin. After the shows would end, Nomi would sing behind a curtain for the ushers and maintenance staff. Later he began performing operatic arias in a German gay club.

In the early 1970's he moved to New York City and he took singing lessons while working as a pastry chef. Nomi appeared in a camp production of Das Rheingold with Charles Ludlam's Ridiculous Theater Company in 1972.

Career

In 1978, Nomi went from pastry chef to New York's leading New Wave performer after he drew the attention of the New York City's art scene with his presentation in "New Wave Vaudeville" in which he sang the aria, "Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix". The performance had a stunning ending where Nomi disappeared in a cloud of smoke after a crash of strobe lights. Nomi received overwhelming popular reviews which led to his invitations to perform all over New York City.

In 1979, Nomi formed a group of artists to perform in a cabaret style which was composed by Joey Arias, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf and John McLaughlin. Their performances were very avant-garde. They would dress as go-go dancers with space helmets and paint their face green.

In late 1979, Nomi had been introduced to David Bowie at a club where after learning about their similar interest, Bowie invited the Nomi and his group to perform back-up on his upcoming "Saturday Night Live" appearance. In 1980, he began conducting tours in Europe and the United_States. Nomi signed with RCA Records and released his debut album Klaus Nomi in 1981.

Death

In 1982, Nomi was diagnosed with AIDS. He had been admitted into the hospital where visitors had to wear plastic sheets to visit him and were not allowed to touch him. He was soon released from the hospital but his health continued to decline. He was unable to continue performing and on August 6, 1983, Nomi passed away.

Fast Facts:

1. Birth Name: Klaus Sperber
2. Born: January 24, 1944
3. Died August 6, 1983 (aged 39)
4. Birthplace: Immenstadt, Germany
5. Years Active: 1977-1983
6. He was fanatical reader of the OMNI magazine, which discusses UFOs and extraterrestrials
7. Nomi was one of the first celebrities to die by Aids.
8. The rock documentary Urgh! A Music War features Nomi's live performance of "Total Eclipse".
9. His first single was a cover of Elvis Presley`s "Can not Help Falling in Love,"
10. Discography