Klaus Nomi / Artist Spotlight #3 / New Wave Opera From Another Planet

image source: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Music/KlausNomi

Klaus Nomi (born Klaus Sperger in Bavaria Germany, 1944) is one of the strangest and most otherworldy artists New York has ever known, and that's saying something! He moved to New York in 1972 and did an assortment of odd jobs while becoming a part of the East Village art scene.

He began performing in musical vaudeville theatre productions and collaborating with other artists such as Kristian Hoffman, Joey Arias, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, John Sex and Kenny Scharf. He even sang in a Saturday Night Live performance with David Bowie in 1979.

He was mostly known for his utterly bizarre and enchanting costumes and his theatrical performances that seemed to come from another planet or era. See images below:

image sources: Last FM / holytitclamps / allmusic

His music was a mix of new wave synth-pop and opera which sounds like a really strange mix until you hear it and it all makes sense. He has a fantastically beautiful voice and combined with his signature look, an avante-garde triangular tuxedo and spaced out hair he manages to create a genre all his own. Lightnin' Strikes which is a cover of a Lou Christie song was one of his biggest hits:

The NYC 10 o'clock news did a segment on him where we get to hear an interview where he talks about his life a little bit and we can see him performing:

He also appeared in several films, Urgh! A Music War (1982), Long Island Four (1979), Mr. Mike's Mondo Video (1979) and even had a character modeled after him in Adult Swims Venture Bros.

There was a documentary made about his life called The Nomi Song (2004) which I urge you to watch. (IMDB page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0402406/ )
Here is a small excerpt:

Sadly before he managed to gain a significant following he passed away due to complications from AIDS on August 6, 1983. Leading up to his death he largely performed operatic pieces. "The Cold Song" is an aria out of the semi-opera 'King Arthur', (music by Henry Purcell, libretto by John Dryden) and is his last recorded performance. At this time he was quite ill and knew his life was soon ending and that transmits through his voice and demeanor. The beauty and sadness in his voice sends chills up my spine and it is truly sad that this innovative and unusual genius died at only 39 years old.

The Cold Song (Lyrics below)

The Cold Song

What power art thou
Who from below
Hast made me rise
Unwillingly and slow
From beds of everlasting snow

See'st thou not how stiff
And wondrous old
Far unfit to bear the bitter cold

I can scarcely move
Or draw my breath
I can scarcely move
Or draw my breath

Let me, let me,
Let me freeze again
Let me, let me
Freeze again to death
Let me, let me, let me
Freeze again to death...

source: http://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858622815/

Since his death he has gained a cult following and continues to inspire many artists and musicians.

RIP Klaus Nomi, thank you for bringing us your magic.

source: http://www.azquotes.com/author/87499-Klaus_Nomi

Information source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klaus_Nomi

My previous Artist Spotlights:

Moon Wiring Club:https://steemit.com/music/@auditoryorgasms/moon-wiring-club-artist-spotlight-2-the-ultimate-in-ghost-party-delerium-since-1596-1908-200

Moondog:https://steemit.com/music/@auditoryorgasms/moondog-the-blind-viking-composer-artist-spotlight