Boney M.

Boney M. is a German‑Caribbean vocal group formed in 1976 by German producer and composer Frank Farian. The original official lineup consisted of four members: Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett (both from Jamaica), Maizie Williams (Montserrat) and Bobby Farrell (Aruba). The group was assembled after the success of the first single Baby, Do You Wanna Bump in 1975, on which Frank Farian performed all the voices himself, in order to have a troupe for television appearances.

Specializing in disco and funk, Boney M. enjoyed immense popularity in the late 1970s, delivering international hits that became classics such as Daddy Cool, Ma Baker, Rasputin, Sunny and the worldwide hit of 1978, Rivers of Babylon. Other notable songs include Belfast, Mary's Boy Child / Oh My Lord, Malaika and Kalimba de Luna.

Their main period of success spans from 1976 to 1984, with albums selling in the millions such as Nightflight to Venus (1978) and Oceans of Fantasy (1979). The lineup changed over time: Reggie Tsiboe replaced Bobby Farrell in 1982. In 1986, Frank Farian announced the end of Boney M. as a recording group.

Nevertheless, the name has endured through numerous compilations and varied stage formations, and the original members continued to perform in their own projects. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, Boney M. remains one of the most emblematic groups of the disco era.