David Bowie - Klaus Nomi - Man Who Sold the World

The 2 great legends team up on SNL in 1979, with some help from Joey Arias, and perform Bowie's Man Who Sold The World. Simply sublime and otherworldly. And as an extra added bonus: Bowie-Hoisting.

[WootTootZoot]

I worked event security at a concert in LA when David Bowie was touring with Klaus Nomi. Before the show there were a lot of people standing around talking and wanting to get to David Bowie. But, in all the frenzy, I watched Klaus step back, look around and began to talk to the staff that was working there. The caterers, the stage hands, and even me. I found him to be one of the most engaging interesting people to talk to. He was a warm, humble and openly friendly person. He was a very approachable and nice person and I have always remembered him and his friendliness to me and my co-workers with great fondness.

[aiai-ji]

I love love love David Bowie but I am especially happy that Klaus Nomi is being acknowledged here in the comments! He led kind of a sad life and was so talented.

[joshuayeager]

Wish more people would give recognition to Joey Arias, the amazingly talented singer in red, that was best friends with Klaus Nomi. The 2 met Bowie at a dinner event and found out he was a big fan of the both of them as well. This ended up being their only collaboration although they wanted to do more. Joey Arias is still alive and does great shows to this day. He’s such a talent.

[topsykretts]

And today, I learned who Klaus Nomi is. Down this rabbit hole I go.

[adrienneladd]

Klaus and Joey certainly add a bunch to this version, but I also want to point out how the lack of distortion on Bowie's voice in this version really adds something as well. Rest in Peace, Klaus and David.

[macleggett]

Oh. My. God. I saw this live in 79. My mind was blown then, still is.

[jsaavedr]

Man, Klaus' counter tenor range really adds that extra sparkle to this song.

[dafyddil]

Klaus takes this song to another level with that insane soprano [edit: apparently it’s countertenor for men]

[dionysoscub]

I remember being a 10 year old kid and watching this live on SNL. It blew me away and made me fall in love with Bowie and Klaus instantly.💖

[nunezm]

Singing back up is not only the fabulous Klaus Nomi (mentioned in the comments) but also the incomparable Joey Arias (in orange suit). Another amazing performer that has an incredible falsetto voice and sings torch songs. Incredibly talented people!!😊

[lowe-quay-shush]

Joey Arias & Klaus Nomi were exactly WHAT SOLD this Man Who Sold the Word performance.

[firouz]

Joey Arias has done it all. 
Singer, comedienne, actor, Cirque du Soleil performer, Drag Queen and a fantastic jazz singer and LGBT pioneer!
From hanging around Madonna Like A Virgin era - to this iconic moment! 
He has seen them all come and go!
We need a Joey Arias documentary asap

[michaelwilson]

Klaus needs to have more recognition. A box set would be nice.

[nonaeubinis]

Saw this as a child. Will never forget it. RIP gentlemen.

[natalietwattily]

I always come back to this version whenever I want to hear this song.
Klaus Nomi and Joey Arias's harmonies are like having my brain sensually massaged.

[ashurdarkstarr]

Mysterious and haunting. My favorite version of the song, by far. Nomi makes it even better, he should have collaborated more with Bowie

[Cortexiphan]

This version is so great because of how much Klaus Nomi and Joey Arias added to it. Near the end Klaus belts out vocals so powerful they could’ve overtaken Bowie if he wanted to but he did just enough to elevate the song. And Bowie does his best to keep up with both of them and it makes his performance all the more better for it. It’s probably my favorite version of the song.

[whosonfirst]

This blew me away when I saw it as a kid. I was hooked.

[davidreim]

Given all the reasons the Internet sucks, it is redeemed when you stumble onto something like this. Not only is this a terrific performance of a Bowie classic, but it also introduced me to Joey and Klaus. I’ve just spent an hour deep-diving on them and now I have a warm glow about humanity.

[LFrench]

This was impossible to get on YouTube for ages