Klaus Nomi was a countertenor who mixed various styles of music such as rock, disco, classical and opera to create innovative and theatrical musical performances.

Nomi came to New York in the 1970's, at a time when the club scene was ripe for reinvention on all levels and Klaus was a man eager and willing to reinvent himself. His presence and influence upon the New York club scene and art world were aptly described by Kristian Hoffman in her recollection of him for the 'East Village Eye': "Klaus was a face - elfin and painted as a Kabuki robot. He was a style - a medieval interpretation of the 21st century via Berlin 1929. He was a voice, almost inhuman in range, from operatic soprano to Prussian general. He was a master performer - a master of theatrical gesture. Above all he was a visionary. He said the future is based on the needs of the artist, deciding how to live and living that way every minute. Klaus, the man from the future, lived that way in the present, and held out his hand saying, "Come with me. You can do it too." http://pagesperso-orange.fr/klaus.nomi/biography.html

Early Years

Nomi was born in Germany and raised by his single mother. He was a self-taught singer and chef.

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. The group became popular for their very theatrical and avant-garde performances.

In late 1979, Nomi was introduced to David Bowie at a club. Discovering their similar interests, Bowie invited the Nomi and his group to perform back-up on his upcoming "Saturday Night Live" appearance.

In 1980, Nomi signed with RCA Records. He released his debut album Klaus Nomi in 1981.

Death

In 1982, Nomi was diagnosed with AIDS. He was admitted into a hospital, where at that time visitors had to wear plastic sheets to visit and were not allowed to touch him...little information and few treatment options existed yet for patients with AIDS. He was released from the hospital and his health continued to decline. On August 6, 1983, Nomi passed away.

The Nomi Song

A 2004 film entitled "The Nomi Song" paid homage to incredible talent and complex personality of Klaus Nomi. The film was directed and produced by Andrew Horn, who describes it as: "Part documentary, part music film, part sci-fi, The Nomi Song is a 'non-fiction film', or maybe even an oral history. It’s not just the tale, it’s the telling. But it is also visual, partly because Klaus himself was so visual, someone who’s main concern was putting forth an image of himself in everything he did ... It’s a story of love of music and love of performing and a time when it seemed as though everyone was struck by a sense of urgency to make something - or anything - and the feeling that “somewhere in the great cosmic plan we all knew that we only had a finite amount of time together and we had to make the most of it.” http://thenomisong.com/thefilm.htm

Albums

1981: Klaus Nomi
1982: Simple Man
1983: Encore
1986: In Concert
1999: Eclipsed: The Best Of Klaus Nomi
2007: Za Bakdaz (posthumous compilation of an "unfinished opera")

Singles

1981: "You Don't Own Me" / "Falling in Love Again (Can't Help It)"
1982: "Nomi Song" / "Cold Song"
1982: "Lightnin' Strikes" / "Falling in Love Again (Can't Help It)"
1982: "Simple Man" / "Death"
1982: "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" / "ICUROK"
1982: "ICUROK" / "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" (Canadian 12")
1998: "Za Bak Daz" / "Silent Night" (CD single)

For comprehensive discography, including video and compilation performances, visit Klaus's page at discogs.com