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The music flows on
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Marcia Barrett of Boney M is keeping the cult pop group’s legacy alive
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SUCCESSFUL journey Marcia Barrett feels blessed to have been a part of evergreen hits
Marcia Barrett’s voice comes with a legacy. As part of the cult pop music group Boney M, Barrett sang on hit songs like “Belfast” “We Kill the World” ,“Ma Baker” and many more.
And if things go right, the legendary singer will soon be heard crooning the title track in a Hindi film.
“I have been approached to sing a song for a Hindi film. I know the song and I know the film but I can’t reveal anything as yet as it’s still in the process of negotiations,” says Barrett.
Her affair with India began when she performed at the 37th India International Film Festival in Goa in 2006. In March, Barrett first performed for the Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM) in Bangalore.
Barrett is working on remix of her solo CD Seeing is Believing to be released over the Internet.
“Prior to Boney M, I was an established soloist in Germany, and that made me a little hesitant to join the group. I took the gamble and it paid off.
"I always wanted to be a soloist so I continued even after the band was disbanded in 1990,” says Barrett.
In the beginning
Boney M was a German pop-disco group, created by West German record producer Frank Farian.
The original four members were Liz Mitchell, Marcia Barrett, Maizie Williams and Bobby Farrell.
The band came out with their first album Take the Heat Off Me in 1976. After a live music show on television, “Daddy Cool” track from the album became Germany’s number one single in 1976.
“Rivers of Babylon”, “Rasputin”, “Mary’s Boy Child”, “Christmas”, “Gotta Go Home” and “I am born again” from their fourth album Oceans of Fantasy, Magic of Boney M – 20 Golden hits were some of the group’s memorable songs.
“The members didn’t break up. Frank Farian did. I got to know of it through newspapers, and it came as a shock.
"It was a blessing to be part of a group which broke Guinness records twice. In 1978, it was the first group from the West to go to Russia. We had the right team. Our melodies were simple and our beats were so danceable, and that’s why our music became timeless,” says Barrett.
Soon after, Barrett was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, followed by cancer of the spine.
In 1997, Barrett released her album Survival. “There was a time when I couldn’t even walk, but I managed, and that gave me power.
"That made me realise how important it is to raise awareness and inspire others,” says Barrett.
In 2003, No War! Peace and Love was released as a protest against the U.S. military invention in Iraq, and generated funds for the War Child charity organisation. She released her second album Come Into My Life in 2005.
Although the band Boney M doesn’t exist in its original form, Barrett and the other three members continue to perform under the name.
“I am here to take what belongs to me. There were many rip-offs of Boney M around.
"We had worked hard to create the distinctive sound of Boney M, and I thought why not come back to claim it.
"But I am not claiming to be original Boney M. I am promoting myself as Marcia Barrett of Boney M.
"People are realising that I am back on my feet, and they are asking for Marcia Barrett of Boney M,” says Barrett.
She doesn’t rule out the possibility of a reunion between the Boney M members. “They are all alive and active. Never say never,” signs off Barrett.
More on Marcia
Prior to Boney M, Marcia was a successful
soloist in Germany
She was reluctant to join Boney M but went on to sing in all of the group’s hits
After the group was disbanded in 1990, Marcia
continued as a soloist
She battled cancer twice
SHAILAJA TRIPATHI TANEJA
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