Klaus Nomi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Klaus Nomi
Nomi in 1979
Background information
Birth name	Klaus Sperber
Born	(1944-01-24)24 January 1944 Immenstadt, Bavaria, Germany
Died	6 August 1983(1983-08-06) (aged 39) New York City, U.S.
Genres	New wave synthpop opera experimental baroque disco
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, musician, performance artist
Years active	1978–1983
Labels	RCA
Associated acts	Joey Arias, Man Parrish, Kristian Hoffman, David Bowie

Klaus Sperber (born January 24, 1944 – died August 6, 1983), known as Klaus Nomi, was a German singer. He was famous for his amazing vocal range and his unique, out-of-this-world stage look.

In the 1970s, Nomi became a part of the art scene in East Village, New York. He was known for his wild and imaginative live shows. He used heavy makeup, unusual costumes, and a special hairstyle. His songs were also very unique. He sang classical opera songs with synthesizers. He also covered pop hits from the 1960s, like "The Twist" and "Lightnin' Strikes". Klaus Nomi was a backup singer for David Bowie on the TV show Saturday Night Live in 1979.

Biography

Early Life and Start of His Career

Klaus Nomi was born Klaus Sperber in Immenstadt, Bavaria, Germany. This was on January 24, 1944. His mother, Bettina Sperber, raised him. She had moved to escape bombing during World War II.

Klaus grew up listening to classical music. He loved opera after hearing the singer Maria Callas on the radio. He also enjoyed pop rock and bought Elvis Presley records. Inspired by Callas, he developed a very wide vocal range. In the mid-1960s, he moved to West Berlin to study music. He also worked as a pastry chef and an usher at the Deutsche Oper. He would often sing opera songs for his co-workers on stage after shows.

In 1972, Nomi moved to New York City. He worked in theater and ran a pastry shop. In 1977, he appeared in a funny play called Das Rheingold. In October 1978, he chose his stage name, "Nomi." This name came from the science fiction magazine Omni.

Music Career Highlights

Klaus Nomi first became well-known in the New York art scene on November 2, 1978. He performed at an event called "New Wave Vaudeville". He wore a tight spacesuit and a clear plastic cape. He sang an opera song called "Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix". His performance ended with flashing lights, smoke, and loud electronic sounds. He seemed to disappear into the smoke. His friend, Joey Arias, said it was like he was from another planet. After this show, Nomi was asked to perform at many clubs in New York City.

At the New Wave Vaudeville show, Nomi met Kristian Hoffman. Hoffman was a songwriter for the band the Mumps. They decided to form a band together. Hoffman helped Nomi choose pop songs to cover. He also wrote several of Nomi's famous songs. These included "The Nomi Song" and "Total Eclipse". The band played at popular clubs like Max's Kansas City and the Mudd Club.

Klaus Nomi and Joey Arias met David Bowie at the Mudd Club. Bowie hired them to sing backup for his show on Saturday Night Live in December 1979. They performed three songs. During one song, Nomi and Arias pulled a large pink poodle prop with a TV in its mouth. Nomi was very impressed by a plastic tuxedo suit Bowie wore. He had one made for himself. He wore this unique black-and-white suit on his album cover and in his music videos. He kept wearing this style for most of his life.

In 1981, Nomi's live performance of "Total Eclipse" was featured in the rock documentary film Urgh! A Music War. His song "Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix" was used for the closing credits. He released his second album, Simple Man, in November 1982. He also worked with producer Man Parrish on his album.

In his last months, Nomi focused more on opera music. He started wearing a Baroque era opera costume with a large collar on stage. A collection of his early recordings, Za Bakdaz, was released after his death in 2007.

Illness and Passing

Klaus Nomi passed away at the Sloan Kettering Hospital Center in New York City. This was on August 6, 1983. He died due to complications from a serious illness. His close friend, Joey Arias, managed his affairs. Nomi's ashes were scattered in New York City.

Legacy

Filmmaker Andrew Horn and writer Jim Fouratt believe Nomi was a very important part of the 1980s East Village art scene. This area was a center for new music, visual arts, and experimental performances. Even though Nomi was not yet famous across the country when he died, he had a strong group of fans. These fans were mostly in New York and France.

Andrew Horn's 2004 documentary about Nomi's life, The Nomi Song, helped people rediscover the singer. This led to art exhibits in San Francisco and Milan. New music inspired by Nomi was also created for European musicians.

In Pop Culture

Klaus Nomi's influence can be seen in many places:

• In 2001, the German pop duo Rosenstolz and English singer Marc Almond covered "Total Eclipse."
• The band Garbage used his song "Valentine’s Day" for their 2012 song "Beloved Freak."
• Nomi appears in Derf Backderf's graphic novel Punk Rock and Trailer Parks (2008).
• In the film Suspiria (2018), Nomi's song "Total Eclipse" can be heard on the radio.
• In 2023, a musical called "Klaus from Space" premiered in Rotterdam. It was created by Kristian Hoffman, who wrote many of Nomi's hits.
• The Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin staged a show about Klaus Nomi's life in 2023/2024. It was called “Don't You Nomi?”

Discography

Albums

Compilations

Live

Singles

Promotional Releases

Music Videos

• 1982: "Simple Man" (directed and edited by John Zieman)
• 1982: "Lightning Strikes"
• 1982: "Nomi Song"
• 1982: "Falling in Love Again"

Film Appearances

• Long Island Four (1979)
• Mr. Mike's Mondo Video (1979)
• Urgh! A Music War (1982)
• The Nomi Song (2004)

See also

In Spanish: Klaus Nomi para niños