Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by jamesgarvin (A) on March 28, 2006 at 11:01:14

I watched this documentary last night on Klaus Nomi, a German singer who immigrated to the United States (New York City) to ply his trade. Which was part performance art, part operatic singing. I was not familiar with him prior to this film, so his talents were new to me. While I found his music, well, somewhat gimicky, there was no denying that he had a unique voice. Apparently, many who first heard him belived him to be singing over pre-recorded tracks, and were stunned to learn that he actually possessed the voice. Clips of him singing opera, dressed in a spaceman suit, in front of a symphony orchestra were surreal, to say the least.

The film contains interviews with members of his band, old friends, and some interviews with Nomi. It also contains audio recorded interviews with his mother. There are numerous performances, but they are rather crude, as they were filmed before video became dominant, and were filmed in small clubs.

Apparently, Nomi's first interest was Elvis Presley and rock and roll, but that his mother disapproved, and so fed him Maria Callas records. He then began imitating opera singers.

Professionally, he began as an indie performer in New York City, working some large crowds from word of mouth. His band members recounted successful tours across the mid-west, where he apparently drew well. Surprising, in that his music was hardle accessible, and he was very androgynous. One show was opening for Twisted Sister in New Jersey. J.J. French, guitarist for Twisted Sister, recounts how he went to Nomi's dressing room prior to the show to introduce himself. Twisted Sister wore makeup as a gag, and he expected the same from Nomi. He learned that for Nomi, this was no gag, he became worried for Nomi taking his New York "art" to blue collar New Jersey. Nomi is booed off the stage. THAT must have been some show.

Apparently, David Bowie, who is reputed to keep his ear to the ground, as it were, saw Nomi and invited him perform with him on Saturday Night Live. Believing that great things would follow that performance, Nomi and the band were let down when they were playing the same shows for the same crowds, for the same money.

Eventually, Nomi changed bands and management and headed for France, where he was signed to RCA Europe, and apparently sold records and such. I think that he was an example of a performer who possessed undeniable talent, but that a record company would be forced to find his niche.

Nomi returned to the United States, and contracted AIDS at the very beginning of the AIDS epidemic. Sad. Friends and band members recounted that they did not visit him in the hospital in his last days because of either being angry at having been ditched for Europe, fear of contracting AIDS, or ambivalence.

I suspect that many will find this an entertaining documentary. I learned about a singer who possessed an incredible voice. The film also strikes a perfect balance between live clips, which showcase his talent, and interviews with friends and band members who provide details on his life, aspirations, etc. The music almost becomes secondary to his voice and story. And his story is symbolic of the times, with the sexual freedom that was terminated with the coming of AIDS. To hear friends avoid touching him for fear of contracting "gay cancer" illustrates, in some ways, how far society has come.

I would welcome comments from inmates more familiar with his work, and/or life.