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Klaus Nomi

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Klaus Nomi (born Klaus Sperber) (January 24, 1944–August 6, 1983) was a German counter-tenor and baritone singer and performer, noted for his remarkable vocal performances and unusual stage persona. When he died of AIDS-related illness in 1983, he was one of the first celebrities to die of the disease.

Nomi moved from Germany to New York City in the mid-1970s. After a chance meeting in a nightclub, David Bowie hired him and Joey Arias as back-up singers for a performance on Saturday Night Live in 1979. Nomi also collaborated with Manny Parrish.

Nomi is remembered for his bizarrely theatrical live performances, sporting heavy make-up, unusual costumes, and highly-stylized hairdos. His songs were just as unusual, ranging from synthesizer-laden interpretations of classic opera to covers of songs like Chubby Checker's The Twist.

In the 1990s, Nomi was frequently mentioned in Dennis Miller's monologues as one of his favorite obscure references.

Talk radio host Rush Limbaugh will often play Nomi's cover of Leslie Gore's You Don't Own Me on his program (as introductory music for news items regarding homosexuality).

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