Klaus Nomi (born Klaus Sperber) (January 24, 1944 - August 6, 1983) was a German counter-tenor and baritone singer and performer, noted for his remarkable vocal performances and unusual stage persona. He died of AIDS-related illness in 1983, one of the first celebrities to die of this disease.
Nomi moved from Germany to New York City in the mid-1970s. After a chance meeting in a nightclub, David Bowie hired him and Joey Arias as back-up singers for a performance on 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.
He is now the subject of a biopic, The Nomi Song.
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Last updated: 10-08-2005 13:36:27
