Bobby Farrell: Difference between revisions
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| name = Bobby Farrell | | name = Bobby Farrell | ||
| image = Boney M Bobby Farrell 2006.jpg | | image = Boney M Bobby Farrell 2006.jpg | ||
| caption = Bobby Farrell with Boney M | | caption = Bobby Farrell with Boney M | ||
| image_size = <!-- Only for images narrower than 220 pixels --> | | image_size = <!-- Only for images narrower than 220 pixels --> | ||
| birth_name = | | birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name --> | ||
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1949|10|6}} | | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1949|10|6}} | ||
| birth_place = [[San Nicolaas]], Aruba | | birth_place = [[San Nicolaas]], Aruba | ||
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'''Roberto Alfonso Farrell''' (6 October 1949 – 30 December 2010)<ref>{{Cite news|date=2010-12-30|title=Boney M singer Bobby Farrell dies aged 61|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-12094005|access-date=2021-12-04 | '''Roberto Alfonso Farrell''' (6 October 1949 – 30 December 2010) was an Aruban dancer, singer and DJ. Dubbed the ‘King of Disco’ He was a member of the 1970s and 1980s [[disco]] group [[Boney M.]]<ref>{{Cite news|date=2010-12-30|title=Boney M singer Bobby Farrell dies aged 61|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-12094005|access-date=2021-12-04}}</ref> | ||
== Biography == | == Biography == | ||
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[[File:Boney M 1981.jpg|thumb|Farrell, 3rd from the left, performing with Boney M. in 1981]] | [[File:Boney M 1981.jpg|thumb|Farrell, 3rd from the left, performing with Boney M. in 1981]] | ||
[[File:Boney M in Haarlem, 1991 - 01.jpg|thumb|Bobby Farrell in 1991]] | [[File:Boney M in Haarlem, 1991 - 01.jpg|thumb|Bobby Farrell in 1991]] | ||
In Germany, he mostly worked as a DJ, until producer [[Frank Farian]] spotted him for his new group, [[Boney M.]], and made Farrell the lone male singer in the group. In 1978, however, Farian confirmed existing rumours that Farrell made no vocal contributions to the group's records, and Farian had performed the male parts in the studio. [[Liz Mitchell]] said it was true; only she, [[Marcia Barrett]] and Farian had sung on the hit recordings, adding that Farrell limited himself vocally to "growling" when performing live in some of the various incarnations of Boney M., including the main 1970s incarnation.<ref>{{cite news | title=Whatever happened to Boney M?| url= | In Germany, he mostly worked as a DJ, until producer [[Frank Farian]] spotted him for his new group, [[Boney M.]], and made Farrell the lone male singer in the group. In 1978, however, Farian confirmed existing rumours that Farrell made no vocal contributions to the group's records, and Farian had performed the male parts in the studio. [[Liz Mitchell]] said it was true; only she, [[Marcia Barrett]] and Farian had sung on the hit recordings, adding that Farrell limited himself vocally to "growling" when performing live in some of the various incarnations of Boney M., including the main 1970s incarnation.<ref>{{cite news | title=Whatever happened to Boney M?| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/1787544.stm |access-date=30 December 2010 | publisher=BBC News | date=29 January 2002}}</ref> After Farrell left the group in 1981, due to clashes with Farian, his voice was genuinely recorded for the first time on the double A-side single "[[We Kill the World/Boonoonoonoos]]".<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 July 2020 |title=Liz Mitchell (Boney M.) viert haar 68e verjaardag - Hitzound |url=https://www.hitzound.com/liz-mitchell-boney-m-viert-haar-68e-verjaardag/}}</ref> He was replaced by [[Reggie Tsiboe]], while Farrell attempted a solo career; however, he rejoined in 1984 and continued as a member until the final split in 1986. | ||
In 1988, Farrell and the three original women reunited.<ref>{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r367995}}</ref> Two remix albums were released, and they performed on several television shows. In France, one of their singles reached No. 1. Despite this, the reunion did not last more than a year. Soon after, Farrell started to tour with his own group, performing the band's hits under the name Bobby Farrell's Boney M. | In 1988, Farrell and the three original women reunited.<ref>{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r367995}}</ref> Two remix albums were released, and they performed on several television shows. In France, one of their singles reached No. 1. Despite this, the reunion did not last more than a year. Soon after, Farrell started to tour with his own group, performing the band's hits under the name Bobby Farrell's Boney M. | ||
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Farrell lived for many years in [[Amsterdam]], in the neighbourhood of [[Gaasperdam]] in the borough of [[Amsterdam-Zuidoost]]. | Farrell lived for many years in [[Amsterdam]], in the neighbourhood of [[Gaasperdam]] in the borough of [[Amsterdam-Zuidoost]]. | ||
In 1981, he married [[Romani people in North Macedonia|Macedonian Romani]] Jasmina Shaban.<ref>[http://www.yugopapir.com/2015/06/makedonska-svadba-decenije-bobby.html Macedonian wedding of the decade] RTV Revija, August 1981, in Serbian</ref> They had a daughter | In 1981, he married [[Romani people in North Macedonia|Macedonian Romani]] Jasmina Shaban.<ref>[http://www.yugopapir.com/2015/06/makedonska-svadba-decenije-bobby.html Macedonian wedding of the decade] RTV Revija, August 1981, in Serbian</ref> They had a daughter and a son. They separated in 1995. | ||
He died on the morning of 30 December 2010, in a hotel room in [[ | He died on the morning of 30 December 2010, in a hotel room in [[Saint Petersburg]], Russia, of heart failure.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.telegraaf.nl/prive/8628583/__Farrell_overleed_door_hartfalen__.html?p=23,1 | title=Farrell overleed door hartfalen | work=[[De Telegraaf]] | date=31 December 2010 | access-date=1 January 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007235455/http://www.telegraaf.nl/prive/8628583/__Farrell_overleed_door_hartfalen__.html?p=23,1 | archive-date=7 October 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref> His agent, John Seine, said Farrell had complained of breathing problems and of pain in his chest, which intensified after he performed with his band the prior evening.<ref>{{cite web | title=Bobby Farrell (61) overleden | url=http://www.nu.nl/muziek/2412427/bobby-farrell-61-overleden.html | publisher=[[NU.nl]] | date=30 December 2010 | access-date=30 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Boney M's Bobby Farrell has died, aged 61 |url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2010/1230/farrellb.html |publisher=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann]] |date=30 December 2010 |access-date=30 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102013317/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2010/1230/farrellb.html |archive-date=2 January 2011 }}</ref> Despite his still present dynamism, he had health problems for a decade. Farrell's body was discovered by hotel staff after he failed to respond to a wake-up call.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/entertainment-arts-12096781 | title=Boney M singer Bobby Farrell dies aged 61 | publisher=[[BBC News]] | date=30 December 2010 | access-date=31 December 2010}}</ref><ref name="telegraph-2010" /> Coincidentally, he died 94 years to the day and in the same city as [[Grigori Rasputin]], the subject of [[Rasputin (song)|one of his group's most iconic songs]] and whom he had dressed as in some live performances.<ref name="telegraph-2010">{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/8232749/Boney-M-frontman-Bobby-Farrell-died-on-same-day-as-Rasputin.html|title=Boney M frontman Bobby Farrell died on same day as Rasputin|website=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|access-date=4 March 2023}}</ref> He was buried at [[Zorgvlied (cemetery)|Zorgvlied cemetery]] in Amsterdam. | ||
== In popular culture == | == In popular culture == | ||
In | In series 6, episode 5 ("[[Demon 79]]") of ''[[Black Mirror]]'', [[Paapa Essiedu]] portrayed Farrell through the character of [[Gaap]], a demon who takes the likeness of Farrell as he appeared on stage in the group Boney M. during a performance of the song "[[Rasputin (song)|Rasputin]]". | ||
== Discography == | == Discography == | ||
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Farrell, Bobby}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Farrell, Bobby}} | ||
[[Category:1949 births]] | [[Category:1949 births]] | ||
[[Category:2010 deaths]] | [[Category:2010 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:Aruban emigrants]] | |||
[[Category:Aruban people of African descent]] | |||
[[Category:Aruban singers]] | |||
[[Category:Boney M. members]] | [[Category:Boney M. members]] | ||
[[Category:Burials at Zorgvlied Cemetery]] | |||
[[Category:Dutch emigrants to Germany]] | |||
[[Category:Dutch people of Aruban descent]] | |||
[[Category:Dutch pop singers]] | |||
[[Category:English-language Dutch singers]] | |||
[[Category:Entertainers from Amsterdam]] | [[Category:Entertainers from Amsterdam]] | ||
[[Category:Immigrants to Germany]] | [[Category:Immigrants to Germany]] | ||
[[Category:People from San Nicolaas]] | [[Category:People from San Nicolaas]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:01, 29 December 2025
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Roberto Alfonso Farrell (6 October 1949 – 30 December 2010) was an Aruban dancer, singer and DJ. Dubbed the ‘King of Disco’ He was a member of the 1970s and 1980s disco group Boney M.[1]
Biography
Birth and early life
Farrell was born and raised on the Caribbean island of Aruba in the Dutch colony of Curaçao and Dependencies (later known as the Netherlands Antilles). He left after having finished school at age 15 and was a sailor for two years before moving to Norway. He then went to the Netherlands, where he found occasional work as a DJ before moving to Germany for better opportunities.
Years with Boney M.
In Germany, he mostly worked as a DJ, until producer Frank Farian spotted him for his new group, Boney M., and made Farrell the lone male singer in the group. In 1978, however, Farian confirmed existing rumours that Farrell made no vocal contributions to the group's records, and Farian had performed the male parts in the studio. Liz Mitchell said it was true; only she, Marcia Barrett and Farian had sung on the hit recordings, adding that Farrell limited himself vocally to "growling" when performing live in some of the various incarnations of Boney M., including the main 1970s incarnation.[2] After Farrell left the group in 1981, due to clashes with Farian, his voice was genuinely recorded for the first time on the double A-side single "We Kill the World/Boonoonoonoos".[3] He was replaced by Reggie Tsiboe, while Farrell attempted a solo career; however, he rejoined in 1984 and continued as a member until the final split in 1986.
In 1988, Farrell and the three original women reunited.[4] Two remix albums were released, and they performed on several television shows. In France, one of their singles reached No. 1. Despite this, the reunion did not last more than a year. Soon after, Farrell started to tour with his own group, performing the band's hits under the name Bobby Farrell's Boney M.
He appeared as a dancer in the late-2005 Roger Sanchez music video for "Turn on the Music."
Later years and death
Farrell lived for many years in Amsterdam, in the neighbourhood of Gaasperdam in the borough of Amsterdam-Zuidoost.
In 1981, he married Macedonian Romani Jasmina Shaban.[5] They had a daughter and a son. They separated in 1995.
He died on the morning of 30 December 2010, in a hotel room in Saint Petersburg, Russia, of heart failure.[6] His agent, John Seine, said Farrell had complained of breathing problems and of pain in his chest, which intensified after he performed with his band the prior evening.[7][8] Despite his still present dynamism, he had health problems for a decade. Farrell's body was discovered by hotel staff after he failed to respond to a wake-up call.[9][10] Coincidentally, he died 94 years to the day and in the same city as Grigori Rasputin, the subject of one of his group's most iconic songs and whom he had dressed as in some live performances.[10] He was buried at Zorgvlied cemetery in Amsterdam.
In popular culture
In series 6, episode 5 ("Demon 79") of Black Mirror, Paapa Essiedu portrayed Farrell through the character of Gaap, a demon who takes the likeness of Farrell as he appeared on stage in the group Boney M. during a performance of the song "Rasputin".
Discography
Singles
- 1982: "Polizei" / "A Fool in Love"
- 1985: "King of Dancing" / "I See You"
- 1985: "Happy Song"[11]
- 1987: "Hoppa Hoppa" / "Hoppa Hoppa" (instrumental)
- 1991: "Tribute to Josephine Baker"
- 2004: "Aruban Style" (Mixes) - S-Cream featuring Bobby Farrell
- 2006: The Bump EP
- 2010: "Bamboo Song" (Roundhouse Records)
Various compilations
(as "Bobby Farrell's Boney M." / as "Boney M. featuring Bobby Farrell" / "Bobby Farrell featuring Sandy Chambers")
- 2000: The Best of Boney M. (DVMore)
- 2001: Boney M. – I Successi (DVMore)
- 2001: The Best of Boney M. (II)
- 2001: The Best of Boney M. (III)
- 2005: Boney M. – Remix 2005 (featuring Sandy Chambers) (Crisler)
- 2007: Boney M. – Disco Collection
Note: these releases contain re-recordings of Boney M.'s hits, not the original versions.
References
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- ↑ Template:PAGENAMEBASE at AllMusic
- ↑ Macedonian wedding of the decade RTV Revija, August 1981, in Serbian
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External links
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Categories:
- Pages with script errors
- Pages with broken file links
- 1949 births
- 2010 deaths
- Aruban emigrants
- Aruban people of African descent
- Aruban singers
- Boney M. members
- Burials at Zorgvlied Cemetery
- Dutch emigrants to Germany
- Dutch people of Aruban descent
- Dutch pop singers
- English-language Dutch singers
- Entertainers from Amsterdam
- Immigrants to Germany
- People from San Nicolaas