Boney M is a pop group whose popularity in Europe has resulted in sales of over 100 million units and a series of amusing cover versions by notable bands including Placebo (“Daddy Cool”), and Belisha and Turisas (“Rasputin”).
Originally the group was no more than a foil for the producing and singing talents of Frank Farian who put together the track “Do You Wanna Bump” without the input of any of the band. Boney M (the band) were assembled after the single charted in Europe. Thereafter only the two of the girls sang, Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett, and the remainder of the band lip-synched to the vast majority of the album material, though they did all perform live. Farian performed studio trickery on his own voice in order to create the trademark bass tones attributed to Bobby Farell. Subterfuge aside, the band enjoyed huge success in Europe during the late 70s and a series of successful albums and singles followed.
The 80s heralded a downturn in their fortunes, with Boonoonoonoos failing to reach the heady heights achieved in the previous decade, several line-up changes which caused disruption and the declining interest of their mentor, Farian who had diverted his attention to another group, Milli Vanilli. By 1985 the band had split and the glory days were over.
Since that time the band has reformed in various guises, with members of the group using the Boney M name to perform with different line-ups to fans reliving the past.
| Editor | Edits |
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| andrew lyman | 2 |
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