Boney M. Biography

Source: http://www.groovecave.com/boneym/bio/bm_bio.htm

Although they never had much success in America, the Euro-Disco group Boney M was a European phenomenon during the '70s. After German record producer Frank Farian (* 18.7.1941 as Franz Reuther) recorded the single 'Baby Do You Wanna Bump?' in 1974/75 (which was successful in Holland and Belgium), he created Boney M to support the song, bringing in four West Indian vocalists who had been working as session singers in Germany -- Marcia Barrett, Liz Mitchell, Maizie Williams and Bobby Farrell.

Now let's take a look how this whole Boney M story started:
December 1974: Frank Farian 6 Weeks in Europa-Sound Studio in Offenbach Bieber. Recording: "Baby Do You Wanna Bump" under pseudonym "Boney M" (Boney: Hero of an Australian TV-Series). At first only Discotheque-Success, weekly sales about 500 Records.

End of 1975: Dutch TV and Discos wanted Live-Appearances of Boney M. Farian and the Artist-Agent Katja Wolf find 4 colored girls and 1 man. Aboriginal Boney M: Maizie Williams, Sheila Bonnick, a girl named Nathalie and the african Mike. This aboriginal line-up did only Dance- and Pressappearances. Later Claudja Barry joined the group, but she was replaced by Liz Mitchell. Line-Up now: Marcia Barrett, Liz Mitchell, Maizie Williams and Bobby Farrell.

When "Baby Do You Wanna Bump" was released in 1975, it seemed nobody thought the tracks of this Formation's success would run into the 90's. Without a doubt it was the voice of Liz Mitchell that carried most of the songs. Liz was born on Jamaica and came to Germany in the end of the 60's. Here she played in 1969 in the Berlin Version of "Hair". In the beginning of the 70's she joined the Les Humphies Singers from the start (1970-73), and with Malcolm Magaron, another member of that group, she did Malcolm Locks. From her friend Marcia Barrett, who lived in Hamburg, came the suggestion to join together a Group that was founded by Frank Farian - Boney M. The producer Frank Farian later said that all members of the group would be replacable without hurting the Group - but not Liz.

Boney M's first appearance in Germany was a performance of the song "Daddy Cool" in the then important and famous TV-Show "Musikladen" in 1976. After that TV-Show appearance the sales of the single were about 100.000 singles each week! From then on the album (Take The Heat Off Me) did well, too. In July 1976 with "Daddy Cool" came the first Number 1 for Boney M in Germany and a Top-10-Hit in December 1976 in the UK. The same year in Germany the follow-up to Daddy Cool was a remake of Bobby Hebb's "Sunny", which hit Number One in December 1976, in the UK it hit Number one in March 1977.

The Original Group Lineup was Marcia Barret (* 14.10.1945, St. Catherines, Jamaica), Liz Mitchell (* 12.7.1952, Clarendon, Jamaica), Maizie Williams (* 25.3.1951, Monserrat, West Indies) and Bobby Farrell (*6.10.1949, Aruba, West Indies). In 1982 Bobby Farrell was replaced by Reggie Tsiboe (* 1950). But Bobby rejoined the group in 1984 on Eye Dance.

In May 1977, "Ma Baker" just missed the U.K. number one spot, and "Belfast" hit the Top Ten in October. In 1978, Boney M was at the height of its popularity with "Rivers of Babylon"/"Brown Girl in the Ring", which became the second-biggest selling single in U.K. chart history. "Rivers of Babylon" also was Boney M's only U.S. Top 40 hit. Boney M's album "Nightflight To Venus" also topped the U.K. charts. In September 1978, "Rasputin" became another U.K. Top Ten hit, followed by the seasonal chart-topper "Mary's Boy Child"/"Oh My Lord", which became the fifth-biggest selling single in U.K. history. In March 1979, "Painter Man" hit the U.K. Top Ten, followed in April by "Hooray! Hooray! It's a Holi-Holiday". In September, the album "Oceans Of Fantasy" hit number one.


Making a balance-sheet after 10 Years, Frank Farian counted 18 Platin- and 15 Gold-LPs, more than 200 Gold- and Platin-Singles and about 150 Million sold Units all over the world. Whose voices could be heared besides that of Liz will be remaining Farian's little secret. By the end of the 80's Farian put out a new edition of Boney M onto the Market. Besides Liz there now stood and sang only decorative: Reggie Tsiboe, Patty Onyewenjo and Sharon Stevens. But not this new combination attrackted the audience, it was the old combination! In the end of 1992 they had a Top-10-Hit in UK with a Mega-Mix of their old Numbers

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a legacy for generations! | Reviewer: odion uuzebor | 1/28/12

its been a privilage listining to boney m's songs all these years,especially their carlos and i say theres no other carol collections in the world till date like that of boney m,theirs is unique blending with and giving a feeling what christmas is ,i really love them and pray they continue playing.

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The Best Of All Ages (Boney M) | Reviewer: Celestine Onyekwere | 1/10/12

Ever in my life memory will I not forget your impact to humanity of all ages.
I started hearing your christmas feeling album from my childhood,expecially two tracks,(Mary's Boy Child & Feliz Navidad),today I am happy to know more about you guys and to be partaker of the age that were blessed by your inspirations of which passion I have passed to my children.
My gratitude to Liz Mitchell for her Angelic voice that contributed greatly to make the group's era a success.
Farewell to Bobby Farrel,maybe we shall still meet to part no more...

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a group for all times | Reviewer: ssemakula godfrey | 12/28/11

By the time a i started enjoying music up to now no music can reach where bony m reaches in my body and brain this group must make one show in kampala a i know the age now but let them come and we see our singers of the 19th cuntury my god bless them.

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Where is Boney M we loved him and his group in Africa | Reviewer: George | 12/27/11

Hello who can tell us here in Africa where Boney M is now? we loved him and his songs and danced in the night clubs and disco's at our time,we never heard about him and what happened.They have to make a remix of their old musics and I know they can even make some new nice musics.

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Boney M rocked | Reviewer: fkaramagi | 12/24/11

Thank you for this very informative lens. I was in high school then a university student early 80s. Boney M used to rock. A party without Boney M music was simply unthinkable. Tracks like Gotta Go Home, Bonoonoonoonoos, Ma Baker, Daddy Cool, Rasputin, ... rocked parties. El Lute and Gotta Go Home are my favorite songs. So sad Bobby Farrel (RIP) passed away - I will mark 30-Dec-2011 by playing many Boney M music to my children who are as old as I was during the hey days of Boney M.

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Boney m d camelot | Reviewer: Kingsley bassey | 12/24/11

Boney is a rising sun in my life. Their song alway remind me of my childhood frnds hw we hv been 2geda through hard time. Song lyk silent night d song i normal usem weneva i wnt to sleep. May god keep them werever dey are in jesus name ame n.

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The greatest group ever..... | Reviewer: Ude.C.Kalu | 12/16/11

Boney M will forever remain my favourite though i was born in mid 80s, i'll like them 2 do a song that is if they are still alive. And i'll not forget the angelic voice of Liz Mitchelle........All thanks to Farian!

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Boney M makes xmas sensible | Reviewer: Matthias Abebe | 12/13/11

Just listening to them makes the yuletide palpable! You cold smell and feel the essence of xmas through their songs. They take me back to youthfulness and I really appreciate their contribution to the music industry. Their songs are evergreen. I wish to know their whereabouts

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neva heard anytin lyk it since boney m's time | Reviewer: alabot gift | 12/12/11

weneva i listen 2 their songs i realy appreciate d gud works they have done. songs lyk sunny nd ma baker ar so much fun 4 me.i tink their xmas carol is d best.but d truth is dat gud tins dnt alwys last 4 long...sobs

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Heavenly | Reviewer: Anonymous | 12/11/11

Listening to 'boney m' sing brings me close to tears, especially their Christmas carols...... I could go Alleluia... Hussana in the highest just singing and listening to their songs. Doris

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SWEET BUT PAINFULL | Reviewer: Joseph agene | 11/1/11

I dont know wat to say....but i think if i am GOD, I will compensate dis group with automatic enlistment into d hevenly cherubs for their effort on d xmas carol......but im not GOD...'pathetic'.
Joseph agene, nigeria.

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u people really rocked | Reviewer: Mathew | 1/13/11

whenever i listen to ur songs i feel really better in all aspects. from my childhood i'm listening to ur songs, still listening....
you guys really rocked still ur songs r rocking... god bless ur team...

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nice memories!!! | Reviewer: Nuel Chuks | 12/27/10

Reminds me of the good old days of my grouwing up...Best group ever since my childhood till date...i still enjoy listening to them...best xmas song so far...!!!i realy luvd thier style i just wish they are still together...!!

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Greatest band for ever!!! | Reviewer: Don Miles Ssebaggala | 12/26/10

Best memorable song done by this group always sound so beautiful,if i may borrow the ward. They create the greatest image dur' the christmas season every year. I doubt whether the world 'll ever get such talented persons ever! ! ! Where can we ever get them if they're still there?! The world s'd protect the groups histry in the worlds archives,for generations to come. Don Miles Ssebaggala-Journalist in Kampal Uganda.

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Boney M still the best | Reviewer: Nabsa | 12/25/10

Boney M are the best personally i really cherish their music to the fullest. All their music are intriguing even in the 21 century, my best tracks are rivers of babylon, mary's boy child, plantation boy and brown girl in the ring

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