Klaus Nomi

Klaus Nomi was an exceptional singer: from bass-baritone to countertenor. Born in 1944 in Immenstadt, but brought up in what used to be West Berlin, Klaus Sperber (Nomi’s real name) loved opera and rock music. He emigrated to New York in 1972 In 1979, David Bowie invited him to join him as a backup singer on a very special Saturday Night Live performance. Klaus signed with a prospective indie producer then to RCA in 1980. “Klaus Nomi” was released in September 1981. Klaus spent time in France for the promo, and to say things went well would be an understatement. Even the classical scene, usually so quick to burn anyone who drifts from the norm at the stake, had no objections and even approved: this first album was a huge hit with 300,000 albums sold, which meant going Platinum at the time. To the total amazement of the label’s bigwigs, the tracks with a more “classical” feel, like The Cold Song (based on an aria from King Arthur, a 1611 opera by Henry Purcell ). The second album “Simple Man” was released in November 1982 in a much more positive environment In 1982, a new disease hit the headlines: aids. Klaus began to notice marks on his body: his diagnosis was final. Without access to any form of treatment, the outcome was inevitable. While everyone thought 1982 would be a year of beginnings, in reality the end was near. Klaus Nomi passed away in New York on 6 August 1983, exhausted. He gave his work every last ounce of his strength.