Music producer Frank Farian, creator of Milli Vanilli and Boney M, dies at the age of 82

Frank Farian, influential electronic music producer, composer and founder of German/Caribbean disco funk outfit Boney M, and the man behind the creation of the infamous pop duo Milli Vanilli. He died on Tuesday at the age of 82. The news was confirmed by his agency Allendorf Media.

Comprised primarily of Farian and a handful of session musicians, Boney M has released eight gold- and platinum-selling albums, starting with the 1974 dance single “Baby Do You Wanna Bump” But despite all of Boney M’s fame, Farian has never appeared on the cover of any of his albums.

In 1988, Farian signed a production contract with then-Munich-based dancers and singers Rob Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan, naming the R&B vocal duo Milli Vanilli. Farian, who was unimpressed with the couple’s vocal talents but admired their good looks, produced a debut album for the duo and co-wrote songs such as “Girl I’m Gonna Miss You”, “All or Nothing” and “Baby Don'”. The song “Girl You Know It’s True” as well as “Forget My Number” were recorded by vocalists including John Davis, Charles Shaw, Brad Howell, and singing twin sisters Jodie and Linda Rocco.

First released in Europe in 1988 as “All or Nothing” – Renamed “Girl You Know It’s True” for the North American album released on the Arista label – Milli Vanilli’ featuring Rob-and-Fab ‘s debut album reached 6 times platinum in America. He traveled to the US alone and earned the duo the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1990. However, lip-syncing scandals and Morvan and Pilatus’ insistence on singing on a follow-up album caused trouble to come to a head in the Milli Vanilli camp. By November 1990, Farian announced that he had fired the duo, admitting that they did not sing on Milli Vanilli songs, and that other vocalists were producing the music, along with the handsome music video-friendly frontmen.

Pilatus and Morvan were forced to give up Milli Vanilli’s 1990 Best New Artist Grammy and, along with Arista Records, became part of a class-action lawsuit involving U.S. consumer fraud. Farian escaped without a single scratch and continued his behind-the-scenes career.

Morvan sent a statement Guardian Following Farian’s death announcement, the following statements were made: “I offer my condolences to his family. His music will live on. We can never deny the happiness and joy he brought to this world,” said Liz Mitchell, the Jamaican-born British vocalist who was part of Boney M’s original line-up. guard “We shared and united under a star that rose far beyond what we dared to expect. I say well done to the work we did. Rest in peace Frank.

Born Franz Reuther in Kirn, Germany, on July 18, 1941, Farian became a trained chef (food became a passion throughout his life), then formed a band called Frankie Boys Schatten and released a single called “Shouting Ghost” in 1964. published. changing its name. When the dance song “Baby Do You Wanna Bump” was released in 1975, Farian created the pseudonym Boney M, inspired by a character in the Australian crime series.

A troupe of West Indian singers and dancers fronted Boney M and scored major hits such as 1976’s “Daddy Cool” and 1978’s “Rasputin”; however, Farian sang with Bobby Farrell on most of the band’s studio recordings. In 1985, Farian formed Far Corporation with a handful of Toto musicians (Steve Lukather, David Paich and Bobby Kimball) and recorded the album “Division One”, which included a cover version of Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”. 10 hits in Great Britain. Other obscure Farian-produced bands include the Eurodance-inspired La Bouche and Le Click.

In addition to his own projects, Farian also produced Meat Loaf’s 1986 album “Blind Before I Stop”. He famously turned down Michael Jackson’s invitation to produce his 1991 album “Dangerous.” In 2006, Farian created a stage musical based on Boney M’s “Daddy Cool”, which opened at the Shaftesbury Theater in London’s West End, featuring songs by Milli Vanilli and La Bouche. Farian died at his home in Miami, Florida, and was survived by his children and family. his long-time partner Chinya Onyewenjo.