Franz Reuther

Early Life

Franz Reuther, known professionally as Frank Farian, was born on July 18, 1941, in Kirn, Germany. Raised by his mother alongside two siblings after his father was killed in World War II, Farian initially trained as a cook. However, his passion for music led him to discover rock and roll, prompting him to adopt the stage name Frank Farian and form a band called Frankie Boys Schatten. In 1964, they released their first single, "Shouting Ghost," which unfortunately did not achieve commercial success.

Career

Farian's career took off in April 1967 when he released a cover of Otis Redding's "Mr. Pitiful" under the name Frankie Farian. He transitioned into pop music, gaining recognition on the TV program Hitparade. His 1976 German-language cover of Austin Roberts' "Rocky" topped the German charts for four weeks. In 1974, he founded the iconic disco-pop group Boney M., which included vocalists Liz Mitchell and Marcia Barrett. Boney M. became a global sensation, known for hits like "Rivers of Babylon" and "Daddy Cool." Farian also produced other successful acts, including No Mercy and Milli Vanilli, often using session performers for the actual vocals.

Personal Life

Later in life, Farian resided in Miami, Florida, where he had three daughters and a son with his former common-law wife, Chinya Onyewenjo. His daughter Yanina performed with him in 2021 on a cover of "Cherish" by Kool & the Gang. In 2022, he underwent heart surgery, which was initially successful, but his health deteriorated, leading to his use of a wheelchair and breathing apparatus. Frank Farian passed away on January 23, 2024, at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering music producer and artist.