Know Me

"We passed upon the stair, we spoke of was and when
Although I wasn’t there, he said I was his friend
Which came as some surprise I spoke into his eyes
I thought you died alone, a long long time ago..."
-David Bowie, "The Man who Sold the World"

If you're lucky enough to have experienced Klaus Nomi in concert, then you probably will have already seen the film "The Nomi Song". If you don't know who I'm talking about,stop reading right now and go rent "The Nomi Song". Really, I don't think you will be disappointed.(I had only one glimpse of Nomi years ago when I was a suburban teen watching "Urrgh! A Music War". I realize now I didn't have the courage then to pursue my fascination.My loss).
The film is a documentary on the brief and tragic life of Klaus Sperber. A classically (self)trained singer from Essen, Germany, who landed in New York City in the late 70's and helped define what later became known as New Wave. He was much more than what a pair of mareting hacks at Sire records decided would be a good name for a genre that was beginning to emerge at the time. If you have heard any of Klaus Nomi's music or have seen this film, you will understand why he defies any attempt to pigeonhole his style.
Part Cabaret, part Kabuki, part Performance Art...part Space Alien...Once you hear him, you are entranced and must hear more. Although his "normal" singing voice is great, it's his falsetto that makes him who he is.
This is a pretty fair biography of Klaus and provides a good idea about who and what he was. It is nearly a mirror of the film.Unfortunately, we may never really know what made him who he was and what he could have become. His passing seems to have been a sad, lonley affair. See the film...maybe he won't have to remain in obscurity.