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Boney M. formed in 1976 and though the group was based out of Bon, West Germany none of it’s core members were natives of the country. Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett were both born in Jamaica, Maizie Williams was originally from Montserrat, West Indies and Bobby Farrell was from Aruba. Though these singers did not start performing together until 1976 this project was already underway in 1974.
During this year Farian had already come up with the group’s name (which he derived from a popular TV series) and had recorded it’s 1st single “Baby do You Want to Bump”. The track caught on in the Netherlands and Belgium and this spurt of popularity cited Farian to compile a group of singers and dancers to front his work. For the group’s first incarnation he recruited singers Maizie Williams, Sheyla Bonnick, and a dancer known simply as Mike. The group expanded to include Claudja Barry and Bobby Farrell. The group finally reached a degree of stabilization when Maricia Barrett and Liz Mitchell joined.
In 1976 the group released their studio debut album “Take the Heat off Me”. Although the group had coalesced into a stable line up, Barrett and Mitchell were essentially the only performers to appear on the album alongside Farian (who contributed the majority of the male vocalizations). The album was an obvious nod to the disco genre and included two original singles “Daddy Cool” and “Baby Do You Want to Bump” as well as the Bob Marley cover “No Woman, No Cry”. Though the album just barley missed the cut on the US Billboard Album charts, it was a huge success in many European countries, topping both Sweden and Finland’s album chart, landing at No. 6 on Austria’s album chart and No. 2 on Norway’s.
The band’s sophomore album, “Love for Sale” was released 1 year later. It was a commercial hit, going on to achieve Gold certification in the UK and featuring two hit singles “Ma Baker” and “Belfast”, which peaked at No.1 on the German Singles chart. Prior to this release the band had been rigorously performing at local disco’s and nightclubs, but after the release of “Love for Sale” they were able to embark on their first headlining tour.
In 1978 the group released what is considered to be their best album, “Nightflight to Venus”. This release was their first to take No.1 on the UK album charts. Though the album continued to draw inspiration from R&B, Dance and Disco music, some of the tracks chosen for this album were stylistic variations from these genres, such as the cover of Neil Young’s classic folk tune “Heart of Gold” and the Country standard “King of the Road”. The group’s biggest hit was a Wiest Indies Children’s traditional “Brown Girl in the Ring”.
Their 4th album “Ocean’s of Fantasy” saw release in September 1979. It was their second album to reach No.1 in the UK. This album featured the two singles “Gotta Go Home”/”El Lute” and “I’m Born Again”/”Bahama Mama”.
Boney M’s hype started to fade in the 80s. They released a successful greatest hits compilation in 1980, but a comparatively weak 5th studio album “Boonoonoonoos”. This release was followed by the departure of Bobby Farrell. Later that year the band put out a Christmas album and in 1984 released “Ten Thousand Lightyears”, their first album without Farrell’s promotional support. Farrell returned in 1984 in time for the release of two moderately successful singles “Kalimba de Luna” and “Happy Song”. The group’s 8th and final studio album “Eye Dance” was issued in October 1985; however, Farian had noticeably lost interest in the group at this point and the resulting album was panned by critics and also did poorly on the market.
Boney M’s “Greatest Hits of All Times - Remix ’88” came out in 1988; however, the band was basically defunct at the time. Several different incarnations emerged and imploded throughout the 90s and 2000s, with the longest lived being Maizie William’s line up who embarked on an Australian tour in 2014.
Avis
I admit, before I was taken to see them live, I knew very little about Boney M., and assumed I was in for a night of the blues sung by an old wise ramblin, travellin’ guitar-picker from the Deep South (that’s what the name evoked for me, what can I say!?). However, I quickly learned that the legendary 1970s group, led by Bobby Farrell and female vocalists Mazie Williams and Liz Mitchell, are responsible for some of the catchiest, grooviest disco anthems of ALL TIME, such as the unmistakable hip-wiggler ‘Daddy Cool’, and the singalong classic, ‘Rivers Of Babylon’. Between 1976 and 1979, the Jamaican-born, Germany-based group even outsold Abba in album sales and concert dates. Needless to say, a full on, disco-jamming, finger-pointing party was to be had by all who attend their shows- and I can attest that this is still true, even over 40 years later.
While the founding father of the group, Bobby Farrell, is recently deceased, Boney M. still continue to tour with their original singers, after a long hiatus where they were not in contact. From their live performance however, the finesse and musical talent of these two, complete with the rest of the band, give off such an exciting energy onstage that you would never think this was the case. When I saw Boney M. on their reunion tour at the Amphitheatre in New Jersey, they were on fire, playing non-stop, energetic disco classics like ‘Rasputin’, ‘Rivers Of Babylon’ and their Christmas Number 1-hit, ‘Mary’s Boy Child’. Boney M. gave an incredible night of fun and dancing, and if you can catch them on tour, don’t miss out!
louise_h
Many people with knowledge of the disco era of the 70s and 80s will know the band name Boney M yet people tend to pretty oblivious to the actual inner workings of the band. Originally began by German record producer Frank Farian, the group went on to have chart success with the original lineup of Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett, Maizie Williams from Montserrat and Bobby Farrell from Aruba.
Many years later and various lineup changes have passed yet disco remains at the heart of the operation and continues to attract fans old and new to the nostalgic sounds. They have a huge array of recognisable original hits including 'Daddy Cool' 'Ma Baker' and 'Sunny' with their singalong choruses and danceable rhythms absolutely assured to get even the most reluctant attendee moving to the irresistible rhythms. The passionate musicians onstage also perform characterful covers of Jamaican music royalty including Bob Marley and The Wailers. The highlight comes in the form of double A side hit 'Rivers of Babylon/Brown Girl in the Ring' which sounds as fresh as ever and is a perfect summation of Boney M's disco reggae.
sean-ward
I remember seeing Boney M in Portsmouth Guildhall about over 40 years ago.thay were fantastic.especially when one of them.lead singer came and sat on my lap.i was at front quite near them.that made my night.and now I am married with my wife.and she loves the Boney M.and we still play there cds..we notice thay are playing in London. We live in Jarrow.Tyne and were.and my wife and glad thay are still touring.but sadly thay are not playing up north.we have in Gateshead called The Sage.its big.its got four arenas.why don’t thay come up there.we would come and see them.we are getting too old now to travel.we are now in our 70 s..so can you please reconcider get them.Boney M.to come up hear.give them our kind love and regards.and best wishes .i once’s in the band myself The Merseybeat the Drummer.and i had to retire through ill health.i had a stroke.now in wheelchair..i.and my wife still enjoys music.we are sad you lost one of yours.but anyway please as we said before.take care.and please keep us in touch.my stage name was Aaron William.now change to Andy.best wishes.
andy-haulard
I was hospitalized a few months ago and didn't attend the show.
I was hospitalized a few months ago and didn't attend the show.
I was hospitalized a few months ago and didn't attend the show.
j_blue
