Klaus Nomi Lightning Strikes

I believe that when you are the show itself a video can stand on its own without big spectular acts, huge budget and neither a story to give something rewarding to audiences and listeners of your song. Klaus Nomi was a bright case of being the showman: the baritone who mixes both opera, pop and rock; the most unusual and futuristic clothing inside those weirdly costumes that are hard to describe; neck collars and the hairdo looking as a helmet of all sorts. My words aren't good enough, you must see him to understand better. This eccentric German character had a small but peculiar musical career in the late 1970's and early 1980's, opening many David Bowie concerts - both emerged as being very theatrical on stage, with their alien identities and persona. But Nomi left us too soon (aged 39, the first known public figure to die from AIDS complications), just when was rising to bigger audiences after great success. He got back to his planet but left us a unique musical legacy.

Though I don't know him much and there's other videos of his on the site, "Lightning Strikes" is the one that gets my attention and what makes me intrigued, amazed and entertained all at once in spite of its simplicity. It's just Nomi performing the song, with a frightening stare, bizarre appearance and heavily covered in makeup and at times the chroma key effect presents him multiplies him on the cloudy background holding an umbrella (the song title with a lightning that spells his surname). That's it. And obviously the most important part the music, a romantic song of a passionate yearning lover who's under the charm of his loved one. It's the sound of the 80's with the poetry and romance from a 1930's song that at times gives the impression of being sung many decades prior to its release. I imagine it as being part of a cabaret act. And with usual, Nomi gaves us the look of the future - yet we haven't got there and like his performances and videos one gets the sense he has too ahead of his time. Like many similar artists, he's someone to be studied but not completely understood. The video might look corny, definitely dated and incredibly funny but the man's talents must be viewed and greeted. It's a cute fun moment in entertainment that deserves more attention. There's class to it.

Crazy, genius or both, here's a truly great entertainer, composer and with a gifted voice. 10/10