French TV Interview: It was said about you that you were either the 8th wonder of the world, or a tragic accident of the nature. Nomi could see the future clearly ‘“ in fact, he was already living in it. The musical climate was perfect for what he had to offer. His story is short, but sweet – and so was he! Had he lived a full life, the 80’s surely would have been more noteworthy. He developed an act and a persona to complement his extraordinary singing talents and transformed into Klaus Nomi. Meanwhile, a strange looking, brilliant futuristic fellow from a distant galaxy (Germany) had been living quietly in New York City since 1972. The dawn of MTV forced musicians to be more concerned with visual appearance.
This new sound was known in Europe as New Romantic.
This was usually reserved for New Age or Jazz, but now dance music could be taken to the outer limits as well. Music was becoming more synthesized and Euro-flavored, ever since the Giorgio Moroder-produced Donna Summer hit, ‘I Feel Love’ (1977) inspired electronic experimentation within dance music. Studio 54 and Max’s Kansas City coexisted. Danceteria and the Mudd Club hosted rock bands. CBGB still hosted local bands like Blondie, the Ramones and Talking Heads. New York City had a healthy club scene in 1979. The Rocky Horror Picture Show was back in town! They had an ironic affection for the danceability of Disco, hoping to replace it with a more whimsical, eccentric and sardonic genre.
The movement’s forerunners were fans of British Glam rock, especially of David Bowie. Simmering beneath the deliberate crudeness, realism and rage of Punk was a brightly colored, cosmetic, futuristic fantasy world. By 1979 the New Wave was already upon us. The 1970s ended with punk rock stomping out Disco. The transitional period between decades is highly charged with the excitement of things to come, and with nostalgia for an era coming to an end. © Madeline Bocaro, 2017. No part of this site may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without permission of the copyright owner.
0 kommentar(er)
