02. Klaus Nomi

Klaus Nomi (1944-1983) was born Klaus Sperber in Berlin, Germany. When he discovered rock and roll music, his mother took his records away and replaced them with music from the opera singer Maria Callas, which he also grew to love. When he moved to New York and got involved in its punk rock/performance art world, he brought these worlds of opera and rock together with the glue of science-fiction tinged New Wave sounds. He was only with us as a performer for a few brief years, but his unique style has never been replicated since. I invited the host of local TV series "Pacific North Weird" Vince Ynzunza who is also a big fan, and my friend Vicki, who had never heard of him until this taping. We chat about his storied, albeit brief, career.

Recommendations:

This is what hooked me in as a teenager: "Toital Eclipse" performed live in the 1981 concert film "URGH! A Music War"

The official music video for the title track off his 1982 album "Simple Man"

Rare footage of Klaus showing off his baking skills on the public access show "TV PARTY"

And here is the documentary film "Nomi Song."