Klaus Nomi

Klaus Nomi (1944-1983) was a German German countertenor noted for his wide vocal range and an unusual, otherworldly stage persona. Nomi was known for his bizarrely visionary theatrical live performances, heavy make-up, unusual costumes, and a highly stylized signature hairdo which flaunted a receding hairline. His songs were equally unusual, ranging from synthesizer-laden interpretations of classical music opera to covers of 1960s pop standards like Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” and Lou Christie’s “Lightnin’ Strikes”. He is remembered in the US as one of David Bowie’s backup singers for a 1979 performance on Saturday Night Live.

Flo mentioned Klaus in one of the interviews for YouTube – Get More Into Music, 2011.

‘Klaus Nomi who was actually real inspiration for David Bowie I found out. And he was performing ‘The Cold Song’ and it was just so beautiful, he’s looked so strange and fragile and his odd make up and the way that he holds his hands is so fixed. And even the way he walks off stage is so kind of frail and his just incredibly haunting voice, its glam, horror-esque opera, you can imagine such a thing!’