Bobby Farrell

Early Life

Roberto Alfonso "Bobby" Farrell was born on October 6, 1949, on the Caribbean island of Aruba, which was then part of the Dutch colony of Curaçao and Dependencies. After completing his schooling at the age of 15, he spent two years working as a sailor before moving to Norway. Eventually, he settled in the Netherlands, where he began to find work as a DJ, leading him to Germany in search of better opportunities.

Career

In Germany, Farrell's career took a significant turn when he was discovered by producer Frank Farian, who was forming the disco group Boney M. Farrell became the group's lone male singer, although it was later revealed that he did not contribute to the vocal recordings. Instead, Farian performed the male parts in the studio, while Farrell's live performances often involved him "growling" rather than singing. After leaving Boney M. in 1981 due to conflicts with Farian, he recorded his first genuine vocal contributions on the double A-side single "We Kill the World" / "Boonoonoonoos". He briefly pursued a solo career before rejoining Boney M. in 1984, remaining with the group until their final split in 1986. In 1988, Farrell reunited with the original female members of Boney M. for a short-lived revival, which included the release of remix albums and performances on television.

Later Life

Farrell spent many years living in Amsterdam, specifically in the Gaasperdam neighborhood. He married Macedonian Romani Jasmina Shaban in 1981, and they had two children, a daughter who is also a musician and a son. The couple separated in 1995. In his later years, Farrell toured with his own group, performing Boney M.'s hits under the name Bobby Farrell's Boney M. He also made an appearance as a dancer in the 2005 music video for Roger Sanchez's "Turn on the Music." Bobby Farrell passed away in 2010, leaving behind a legacy as a prominent figure in the disco era.