Joey Arias

Joey Arias solidified his place in the New York performance scene after performing on ‘Saturday Night Live’ with David Bowie and Klaus Nomi in December 1979, providing accompaniment for three songs including ‘The Man Who Sold the World.’ Earlier in his career, Arias sang with the rock band Purlie, which released a single on Capitol Records in 1973, before joining the improvisational comedy group the Groundlings. Following a move to New York City in 1976, he worked at Fiorucci, performing by dancing and modeling clothes in the shop windows alongside colleagues such as Vincent Gallo. During this period, Arias developed a notable friendship with alternative musician Klaus Nomi, contributing backup vocals and assisting with set and costume design for Nomi’s performances. He also performed with Ann Magnuson in the band Strange Party, recording and appearing in various nightclubs.

Demonstrating his lasting impact on performance art, Joey Arias’ archives, encompassing extensive material related to his collaborations with Klaus Nomi, were acquired by Harvard’s Houghton Library in 2019, ensuring the preservation of his artistic legacy. Most recently, Arias released his album, ‘Past Present Future,’ in November 2023, showcasing his evolving artistry while continuing to command stages internationally.