Singer Bobby Farrell Found Dead

Bobby Farrell, the lead singer of Boney M, a European chart-topping disco group in the 1970s, has died at age 61 while on tour in Russia.

The singer’s agent, John Seine, says the ‘Daddy Cool’ star was found dead in his hotel room in St. Petersburg on Thursday morning by hotel staff after he failed to respond to a wake-up call.

Seine said Farrell performed as scheduled Wednesday night, but complained of breathing problems before and after his show.

Officials in St. Petersburg said an investigation is underway. “There was no sign of violent death,” a source told the AFP. “The investigation continues.”

The original Boney M, which was based in Germany, disbanded in 1986 after scoring Europe-wide hits with ‘Daddy Cool’ and ‘By the Rivers Of Babylon.’ Watch a Pair of Boney M’s Big Hits:

While not a household name in the United States, Boney M’s music has influenced current hitmakers like Lady Gaga, who sampled the vocal “Ma-Ma-Ma” from ‘Ma Baker’ for her monster track ‘Poker Face.’

At the time of his death, the singer was leading a group called Bobby Farrell and Boney M, with three female backup singers. Farrell was born Alfonso Farrell in Aruba and lived in Amsterdam.

Singer Bobby Farrell Found Dead

ADVERTISERS

TOPICS

AFFILIATIONS