Song of the Day: 'Total Eclipse' by Klaus Nomi

Ladies Who Look: Diane Keaton, Candice Bergen Jane Fonda and Mary Steenburgen 

You can imagine how confused I was when my brother Bill brought home the two-record soundtrack to "Urgh! A Music War" and this came on! (And then seeing it on "Night Flight"!

Here's an alternative performance since I already had the "Urgh!" version on my site.

Sadly, Klaus would be dead from AIDS complications just a year later.

Historically Fabulous Places

Its name is Mudd

Walked past the old Mudd Club on my way to the courthouse yesterday morning and noticed this plaque on the building. If those walls could blog ...

Opening night on Halloween 1978: The B-52's performed and readings by William S. Burroughs (now that's a B's show I wouldn't skip!)

Klaus Nomi at the Mudd Club, 1979

James Chance, Debbie Harry and Chris Stein at the Mudd Club (Photo by Laura Levine)

Song of the Day: 'Total Eclipse' by Klaus Nomi

 Klaus Nomi's name came up during a panel discussion last Sunday with James Wolcott, Cynthia Carr and Nile Rodgers at the Brooklyn Book Festival (I still need to write that up!). I must admit, when I first saw "Urgh: A Music War" back in 1981, I was pretty terrified by everything except the Go-Go's and the Police. My brother and I were just discovering X at the time -- Exene's voice is an acquired taste! -- but Klaus Nomi's performance definitely left an impression on me. Still, it wouldn't be for another 10 years or so before I realized what a beloved artist he was and that he yet another talent from my era who had died of AIDS. This is "Total Eclipse" -- and the felt Klaus from HERE. (For those unfamiliar with the avant-garde legend, I strongly recommend "The Nomi Song," a documentary available on Netflix HERE.



(Just noticed all of the comments on this clip are about Lady Gaga and how she's no Klaus Nomi. Um, OK.)

Music Box: David Bowie

This video popped up on a friend's Facebook page yesterday. I have very strong memories of this strange "puppet" performance by David Bowie on "Saturday Night Live" back in 1979 -- I believe Martin Sheeen hosted -- during Bowie's Berlin/Brian Eno phase. What I didn't recall was that Joey Arias and Klaus Nomi were his back-up singers(!) -- and the song was one I actually know quite well now -- as a cover by Susanna Hoffs. [Blush.}

Take note that the line "Other boys check you out" is censored. I guess America wasn't ready for that one yet -- even coming from the likes of the former Ziggy Stardust.

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