NINA HAGEN

NINA HAGEN
Catharina "Nina" Hagen (born 11 March 1955) is a living legend, despite the fact she's never truly had an anthem or an outstanding song you could name off the top of your head. She's a visual explosion and reinvented herself more times than David Bowie! It's hard to find her looking similar every time she's in front of an audience or a camera and considering her music is such a chore to listen to after 30 seconds, she's still capable of selling out venues. Despite having an exceptional voice her chosen singing style is in fact all over the shop. You just wish for once she'd sing a song in a straight key but she won't, she prefers that up and down like a yo yo. I imagine her wardrobe to be the size of a small house, but her style is truly bizarre and we wouldn't want it any other way. She's zany and animated a bit like Arri Up of the Slits was, but without the dread influence. They were both really good friends. But Nina Hagen has a distinct look, you just can't mistake her. She is also an animal activist. A beautiful East Germanic presence in a drab scene, she must get recognized the world over on every continent. This hysterical and pensive shot was taken in Koln, Germany September 1980. For a great synopsis of the many styles of NINA HAGEN go HERE.

Background live shot from 1980.