23 January 2024 , 13:10
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Boney M legend Frank Farian has died, his family have confirmed.
The German-born musician and producer, known for songs such as Daddy Cool died in his apartment in Miami, Florida. His tragic death comes after his health declined in recent years with him also undergoing surgery on his heart. The late star previously had surgery on his heart to insert a pig valve in 2022.
Over the course of his career, Farian was responsible for some of the biggest names in music. He also discovered the boyband Milli Vanille – who were later discovered to have lip-synched during their Grammy award-winning run.
Paying tribute, Liz Mitchell of Boney M who sand lead vocals on Frank's hits told the Mirror from her home in Oxfordshire: "Our work was truly blessed and so enjoyed by people around the world who had the privilege to hear it down the years. The testimonies come from the hearts of those who heard it and I am so grateful to the God of music that allowed our coming together, to create and present to the world the music of Boney M.
"We shared and united under a star which rose above and beyond what we ever dared to expect. I say well done to the work that we did. Rest in peace, Frank." Speaking in November last year, he said: "My heart valve works wonderfully. Mick Jagger also received exactly the same heart valve. I have a good pig in me! And I'm very grateful for that," he told Bild.
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Frank, pictured with Boney M, was responsible for some of the biggest names in music (JENS KALAENE/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)The same outlet claimed that following his procedure, his health continued to decline and he lost a considerable amount of weight. He was subsequently prescribed a similar drug to Viagra by medical staff. He said: "This is a similar active ingredient to Viagra and has a nice side effect. But to be honest, I'm not thinking about sex at all at the moment. Today I enjoy a good meal and am just happy that I'm still alive."
It's claimed that Farian was forced to use a wheelchair and also had breathing equipment due to ongoing issues with his lungs. A friend of Frank's, his ex-partner, Ingrid "Milli" Segith, is said to have visited him at his home in Miami over the New Year. "Frank was physically very weak, but was still full of energy," she said, adding that he was "still sitting in the recording studio all day working on new music".
Frank's career started in the 1970s. He founded the band Boney M and went on to catapult them to stardom with songs including Rivers of Babylon, Rasputin, Mary's Boy Child and Daddy Cool. He also worked alongside the likes of No Mercy, Meat Loaf and Stevie Wonder throughout his impressive tenure in the music industry.
Despite his success, Frank remained optimistic and once likened himself to a chef after mixing a song together. He said: "It's always about the ingredients. You can say you become a musician, but a lot of it is luck. Success cannot be planned."
Since the news of his passing broke, fans have taken to social media to pay tribute. One penned: "It's impossible not to like Boney M. RIP Frank Farian. Pop music maestro." A second added: "Oh blimey. Frank Farian has died. The man who masterminded Boney M (and was the male voice on all their hits), who also discovered the excellent Eruption, put together The Far Corporation and rounded off the 80s with the notorious Milli Vanilli. That's quite the career."