Boney M dominated the disco era with their infectious rhythms and wild costumes. This German group became a global phenomenon despite having a constantly changing lineup. Furthermore, they broke cultural barriers by becoming the first Western band to tour the Soviet Union. Consequently, their songs like "Daddy Cool" and "Rasputin" remain party staples today. Explore these fascinating details about the disco legends.
Boney M
German producer Frank Farian created the group as a solo project. Initially, he recorded the song “Baby Do You Wanna Bump” himself before he hired dancers to perform it on TV.
The male frontman, Bobby Farrell, did not sing on the studio records. Instead, Frank Farian provided the deep male voice while Bobby lip-synced and danced energetically during live shows.
Frank Farian also created the infamous duo Milli Vanilli years later. Therefore, he used the exact same trick of hiring attractive dancers to front the music for invisible vocalists.
They became the first Western music group to perform in the Soviet Union. remarkably, they played ten sold-out shows in Moscow in 1978 after receiving a personal invitation from leader Leonid Brezhnev.
Soviet officials banned them from performing the song “Rasputin” in Russia. Although the crowd demanded it, the government felt the lyrics about the historical figure were too controversial for the public.
Bobby Farrell died on the same day and in the same city as Rasputin. Spookily, the singer passed away in a St. Petersburg hotel on December 30, exactly like the mad monk he sang about.
The name “Boney M” came from an Australian detective show. Farian watched the credits of a series called Boney and decided the name sounded catchy enough for a pop group.
“Rivers of Babylon” remains one of the best-selling singles of all time. In fact, it sold over two million copies in the UK alone and stayed at number one for five weeks.
Original member Maizie Williams did not sing on the studio tracks either. Although she performed live, Farian decided her voice did not fit the specific sound he wanted for the albums.
Liz Mitchell served as the primary lead vocalist for the group. Consequently, Farian stated in interviews that she was the only member, besides himself, who truly mattered to the recording process.
They filmed the music video for “Rasputin” in the Red Square. Thus, the footage shows them dancing in front of St. Basil’s Cathedral, which was a rare sight for a Western band.
The group covered the Bob Marley song “No Woman, No Cry.” Their disco version introduced the reggae legend’s music to a completely new audience in Europe who had never heard it.
Sheikha Mozah of Qatar paid them to perform at her wedding. Reportedly, the royal family flew the group to the Middle East for a private concert in the late 1970s.
Boney M achieved eight Number One hits in Germany. As a result, they stand as one of the most successful German musical exports in history, rivaling the rock band Scorpions.
Finally, a mushroom species was named after the band. Scientists discovered a fungus in 2016 and named it Kneippia boneym to honor the disco group’s enduring legacy.
