Boney M.

Boney M.
Company type	Music ensemble
Industry	Music
Founded	1974 in West Germany
Founder	Frank Farian
Headquarters	West Germany
Products	Music records, albums, singles

Boney M. is a music ensemble blending reggae, funk, and disco styles, established in 1974 in West Germany by German producer and chief songwriter Frank Farian. The initial official roster comprised Jamaican vocalists Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett, Montserrat-born Maizie Williams, and Bobby Farrell from Aruba. Since the 1980s, the group has continued performing with multiple different configurations.

At the height of their commercial success, Boney M. sold in excess of 100 million records worldwide. Their most notable tracks include "Daddy Cool," "Ma Baker," "Belfast," "Sunny," "Rasputin," "Rivers of Babylon," "Brown Girl in the Ring," "Hooray! Hooray! It's a Holi-Holiday," "Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord," and "Gotta Go Home." They secured eight number-one singles in Germany and two chart-toppers in the UK, both ranking among the nation’s all-time best-selling records.

1974–1976: Formation and initial phase

In 1974, German singer-songwriter Frank Farian recorded the dance single "Baby Do You Wanna Bump," performing both deep male vocals and high-pitched falsetto choruses himself. Released early in 1975 under the name "Boney M."—a title inspired by the Australian TV show Boney—the track became popular in the Netherlands and Belgium. Farian then put together a group of performers for television appearances.

During 1975, model-turned-vocalist Maizie Williams and her associate Sheyla Bonnick were brought on to lip-sync and dance to the studio-produced track. Initially accompanied by two additional members, this ensemble toured various discotheques and appeared on television, although no footage of this specific lineup is available. After several personnel changes—including Bonnick’s departure—the classic formation was completed with Marcia Barrett, Bobby Farrell, and Liz Mitchell joining.

1976–1979: Take the Heat off Me and global breakthrough

The group's first album, Take the Heat off Me (1976), contained songs previously recorded by other acts produced by Farian. For studio recordings, only Liz Mitchell, Marcia Barrett, and Farian’s own voice were used, as Maizie Williams’ singing was considered unsuitable for recording purposes. While initial sales were moderate, their extensive touring helped establish their reputation.

Their major breakthrough occurred with a 1976 appearance on West German TV’s Musikladen, where their single "Daddy Cool" reached number one in West Germany, boosting the album’s success. The follow-up single "Sunny" also topped charts, broadening their European audience and gaining momentum in the UK market.

In 1977, their second album Love for Sale delivered hits such as "Ma Baker" and "Belfast." The group embarked on significant tours supported by musicians known as The Black Beauty Circus. The album earned Gold certification in the UK, with singles achieving number-one status in West Germany and entering the UK Top 10.

The pinnacle year for Boney M. was 1978 when they released the double A-side single "Rivers of Babylon" / "Brown Girl in the Ring," which became a colossal hit across Europe and one of the UK’s best-selling singles ever. It also marked their highest position on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 30. Their top-selling album, Nightflight to Venus, featured hits like "Rasputin" and "Painter Man." The Christmas release "Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord" reached number one on UK charts and became another major seller. That year, Boney M. notably toured within the Soviet Union—a rare feat for Western performers—although some songs such as "Rasputin" were excluded due to lyrical content.

It became publicly acknowledged that Bobby Farrell did not provide vocals on studio tracks; instead, Farian supplied all male parts. Likewise, Maizie Williams’ voice was omitted from recordings because it was deemed unsuitable—a common practice during the disco era that attracted little attention at the time but contrasted sharply with later controversies involving Farian. During live shows, all four members performed vocals live, supported by backing singers to replicate studio sound quality.

In 1979, Boney M. released "Hooray! Hooray! It's a Holi-Holiday," which achieved Top 10 status across Europe. Their fourth album, Oceans of Fantasy, included singles such as "Gotta Go Home / El Lute" and "I'm Born Again / Bahama Mama." This album was notable for crediting lead and backing vocalists explicitly; it reached number one in the UK and attained Platinum certification. However, subsequent singles experienced reduced chart success, indicating a decline in commercial momentum.

1980–1986: The Magic of Boney M.; Farrell's exit and group dissolution

In 1980, Boney M. unveiled their greatest hits compilation, The Magic of Boney M. – 20 Golden Hits, which included two fresh tracks, "My Friend Jack" and "I See a Boat on the River". This album topped the UK charts and achieved Gold status within six weeks, representing their final significant commercial triumph in the UK.

Their fifth studio album, originally planned for release in November 1980, was postponed until late 1981. Upon its debut, Boonoonoonoos coincided with Bobby Farrell's departure from the ensemble amid disputes with Frank Farian. While the album performed well across continental Europe, it failed to penetrate the UK Top 100, partly due to limited promotion following Farrell’s exit. Subsequently, the band issued a Christmas Album.

During the 1982 1982 FIFA World Cup, "Rasputin" unexpectedly gained traction in Vietnam through televised broadcasts, enhancing Boney M.'s enduring popularity there.

Reggie Tsiboe stepped in for Farrell in 1982; however, singles such as "The Carnival is Over" and "Jambo" did not achieve notable success. Their seventh album, Ten Thousand Lightyears (1984), reached only number 23 on the German charts. Later that year, they re-entered the German Top 20 with "Kalimba de Luna"—a Top 10 hit in France—and "Happy Song", which featured a brief return by Farrell. Both were cover versions of Italian hits originally by Tony Esposito and Baby's Gang.

By 1985, Farian’s enthusiasm diminished; their eighth studio effort, Eye Dance, was critically regarded as lacking creativity. After commemorating their tenth anniversary in early 1986, Boney M. officially disbanded following the commercial disappointment of "Young, Free and Single", which peaked at number 48 in West Germany.

1990 and beyond: unsuccessful reunions and sustained public interest

From the late 1980s onward, several iterations of Boney M. emerged—some associated with Farian and others independently acquiring rights to the name in different regions. In early 1987, a tour featured Marilyn Scharbaai replacing Liz Mitchell; Mitchell returned later that year while Marcia Barrett exited. Bobby Farrell pursued a new album project without Farian in Belgium; however, due to his absence from promotion, it was released as Liz Mitchell's solo record titled No One Will Force You. Touring continued with Mitchell and Maizie Williams joined by Celena Duncan and Ron Gale, who were subsequently replaced by Carol Grey and Curt De Daran.

In October 1988, the classic lineup reunited sans Farian for Greatest Hits of All Times – Remix '88, but internal conflicts led to Mitchell’s departure in 1989; she was succeeded by Madeleine Davis. The group released "Everybody Wants to Dance Like Josephine Baker" without Farian’s consent; this single was withdrawn after legal threats ensued. Farian responded by releasing "Stories" featuring a new lineup including Mitchell and Reggie Tsiboe. Although it reached number 11 in Switzerland, follow-up remix albums failed to achieve commercial success.

Interest resurged in 1992 when the "Boney M. Megamix" reached the UK Top 10 and Gold – 20 Super Hits entered the UK Top 20 in 1993. With Barrett unwell, Boney M. toured internationally featuring Mitchell, Carol Grey, Patricia Lorna Foster, and Curt Dee Daran (later replaced by Tony Ashcroft). They released "Papa Chico", which did not chart. Meanwhile, Maizie Williams and Bobby Farrell each led separate touring versions of Boney M.

Mitchell’s group remained Frank Farian’s officially endorsed formation; a 1990 court decision permitted all four original members to perform individually under the Boney M. name. Both Farrell and Mitchell issued solo albums containing re-recordings of classic hits; Williams launched her solo career in 2006 achieving chart success in Latvia. Barrett produced two solo albums with plans for a third release in 2010.

The stage musical Daddy Cool premiered in London in 2006 but closed prematurely due to poor ticket sales; it subsequently toured Berlin in 2007. Australian artist Peter Wilson released "Doin' Fine" in 2007—a tribute to Boney M.’s style co-written by Farian. Boney M., featuring Barrett, appeared at the International Film Festival of India in November 2006.

Late that year saw BMG issue The Magic of Boney M., which included a Mousse T. remix of "Sunny" alongside a new song titled "A Moment of Love" featuring Mitchell. The first four original albums were reissued on CD in April 2007 for the US market—the first time since their initial releases. Subsequently, the remaining four albums were re-released with bonus tracks across Europe and America; additionally, a new Christmas compilation and a DVD containing live performances were launched.

Bobby Farrell’s version performed in Israel (May 2007), while Mitchell’s ensemble appeared in St. Petersburg (June) and Maizie Williams’ group played at London’s Royal Albert Hall (September) for an HIV/AIDS awareness event.

Legal battles over ownership of the "Boney M." name persisted between Farian and former members from the late 1980s onward. Farian continued collaborating with Mitchell’s lineup through the ’90s and into the early 2000s. In January 2007, Farrell’s family renewed trademark rights for Boney M. in Germany for an additional decade.

In 2009, Farian issued "Felicidad America (Obama Obama)", a reimagined Boney M. track with lyrics referencing President Barack Obama credited to "Boney M. feat. Sherita O. & Yulee B."

Maizie Williams headlined a Boney M. concert at Ramallah’s Cultural Palace during July 2010 as part of the Palestine International Festival but reportedly omitted "Rivers of Babylon" due to political concerns.

Bobby Farrell passed away from heart failure on December 30, 2010 after performing in Saint Petersburg; he had been residing in Amsterdam prior to his death.

Williams’ version toured Australia (June 2014) and performed at Guilfest and Watchet Live festivals across the UK during July–August.

In March 2015, Farian released Diamonds, a three-CD collection celebrating Boney M.’s fortieth anniversary featuring remastered hits, remixes, unreleased tracks, plus a new single entitled "Song of Joy" with Mitchell alongside an extensive DVD release.

The group appeared at Greece’s Patras Carnival closing ceremony in February 2017.[Clarify: which lineup?] At year-end, World Music for Christmas was released under Boney M. and Friends featuring Mitchell on three tracks including the single/video "Like Diamonds in the Sky".

In 2021, Sony Music's Ministry of Sound issued a remix of "Rasputin" by DJ Kevin Christie (Majestic), credited as Majestic & Boney M., which reached number eleven on the UK singles chart; its video featured RuPaul's Drag Race UK contestant Bimini Bon-Boulash. That December saw Mitchell appear on Channel 5's Britain's Biggest 70s Hits alongside other artists from that era.

Sheyla Bonnick—part of Boney M.’s original brief lineup in 1975 and later performing with Maizie Williams’ group—established her own Boney M.-themed show active as recently as Jõhvi in 2022.

In August 2023, Mitchell-led Boney M. commenced a multi-city US tour alongside Samantha Fox and Bad Boys Blue covering major metropolitan areas including Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, and San Jose; these concerts were promoted by LA Concert Group.

Founder and producer Frank Farian passed away at age eighty-two in January 2024.

A farewell Australian tour was planned for June–July 2024 encompassing Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide venues.

UK record sales milestones

In 1978, "Rivers of Babylon," a rendition of a song originally by The Melodians incorporating lyrics inspired by Psalm 137 and Psalm 19, became the second best-selling single ever in the UK at that time. After maintaining the number one position for five weeks, the track slipped down the charts; however, its B-side, "Brown Girl in the Ring," received substantial radio play, which propelled the single back up to number two. It remained in the UK Top 40 for half a year, including 19 weeks within the Top 10, and surpassed two million copies sold—placing it among a select group of only seven singles to achieve this feat.

Boney M. earned their second million-selling single in the UK with the medley "Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord," which sold over 1.8 million copies. Notably, 1.6 million units were sold during its four-week run at number one in December 1978.

The group stands alone as the only act with two singles ranked within the top 12 best-selling singles ever in the UK: "Rivers of Babylon" at seventh place and "Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord" at number eleven. Furthermore, they are one of just six artists to have sold a million copies with two different singles within the same calendar year.

Catalogue and reissues

Unlike peers such as ABBA, Donna Summer, and the Bee Gees, Boney M.'s discography presents a distinctive pattern: although producer Frank Farian and label BMG-Ariola (now under Sony Music) remixed and re-released much of their material from the 1980s through to the early 2000s, most original 7" and 12" vinyl editions from the 1970s and early '80s were not available on CD until 2007. These original versions eventually appeared on compilation albums including The Collection (2008), Ultimate Boney M. (2008), Let It All Be Music: The Party Album (2009), Hit Story (2010), and Diamonds (2015).

Various "greatest hits" compilations featuring edited or overdubbed tracks continue to be issued, such as Boney M. & Friends (Their Ultimate Top 40 Collection) (2017), Rasputin – Big And Strong: The Greatest Hits of Boney M. (2021), along with the 2022 re-release of the 2006 compilation The Magic of Boney M..

International appeal beyond Western markets

During the 1970s, Boney M. achieved considerable acclaim within the Soviet Union, despite their song "Rasputin" being prohibited from performance at their 1978 Moscow concert. Since then, this track has been featured in various films and television productions including Johnny English Strikes Again, The King's Man, Black Mirror, the Brazilian soap opera Dancin' Days, and notably in the Doctor Who special episode The Power of the Doctor, where The Master performs a dance as Rasputin.

In Soviet cinema, "Sunny" is played during a party scene involving senior officials in Repentance, while it also appears in South Korea’s film Sunny. During South Korea’s presidential election in 2002, victorious candidate Roh Moo-hyun adopted "Bahama Mama" as a symbol representing hopeful political change.

The Chinese movie Shanghai Dreams portrays youth dancing to "Rivers of Babylon" and "Gotta Go Home" at a rural disco setting. Similarly, in Kazakhstan’s film Tulpan (2008), the main character frequently listens to "Rivers of Babylon," illustrating his attraction to Western culture. The Chinese film Cheung Gong 7 hou (CJ7) prominently features "Sunny," which also serves as the theme for the Taiwanese drama series Sunny Girl from 2011. Additionally, Boney M.'s tracks have been included in shows like The Umbrella Academy and movies such as Boogie Nights.

During the 1970s and ’80s, Boney M. enjoyed significant popularity across India. In a 2015 interview with Hindustan Times, Liz Mitchell recounted their extensive touring history and interactions with Bollywood celebrities, underscoring their lasting fanbase within the Indian market.

Personnel

Liz Mitchell – principal and supporting vocals (1976–1986, 1988–1989, 1990, 1992–present)
Marcia Barrett – principal and supporting vocals (1975–1986, 1988–1989)
Maizie Williams – dancer and live vocalist (1975–1986, 1988–1989)
Bobby Farrell – dancer and live vocalist (1975–1981, 1984–1986, 1988–1989; deceased 2010)
Reggie Tsiboe – principal and supporting vocals (1982–1986, 1990)

Uncredited backing vocalists at Sopot Festival 1979

At the Sopot International Song Festival in Poland on August 24, 1979, Boney M.’s televised appearance featured three backing vocalists who were not officially credited alongside the core group. Based on visual evidence and fan research, these performers are identified as:

Sylvia Tella — A British-Jamaican singer associated with Frank Farian’s studio projects. Active in Germany during the late 1970s, she supported Boney M. on tour as part of the Black Beautiful Circus between 1977 and 1979. In the video footage, she is seen positioned on the left. Subsequently, Tella achieved success with a solo career focused on lovers rock and soul genres.

Jacinth Mitchell — The sister of lead singer Liz Mitchell, she toured with Boney M. in the late seventies and was a member of the vocal group Body, Soul & Spirit, which released singles such as Show Me the Way (1979). She is believed to be the center backing vocalist visible in the footage.

Elizabeth Chin — A vocalist of Caribbean or African heritage identified as the rightmost figure in the performance. Often mistaken for others sharing her name, fan consensus supports her participation in the Black Beautiful Circus ensemble.

Although these vocalists were not officially credited, their vocal harmonies and stage presence played an essential role during Boney M.’s 1979 tour performances, as recognized by archival materials and fan documentation.

Discography

Albums