Alexis Petridis on the new Boney M musical Daddy Cool

Boney M could turn almost anything into a disco hit. But will their surreal songs about Rasputin and Belfast make any sense as a musical? By Alexis Petridis Tuesday January 17, 2006 The Guardian Frank Farian, ...

[Sheila Bonnick]

This may not be a welcomed comment but I was among the first line-up with Claudja Berry. Many people prefer to ignore that fact for some strange reason or other.
My opinion is that the music of Boney M is ALL down to Mr Frank Farian. Without him, there is no Boney M - simple as that. Of course I am not taking anything away from the original members, especially Bobby,because they did play an essential part in selling the whole thing but it was Mr Farians brainchild that made the whole wave and is still doing so and apart from Bobby it would have worked with any other cast. Liz had a special sound perfect for the songs but there may have been others out there with the same or even better voices to sell Franks tunes with all due respect to the originals.
I perform in my tribute version of the group called Sounds of Boney M which delivers Franks songs in a way that seems to be pleasing to many people world-wide. Before that I was in Maizie Williams line-up and we did many many shows worldwide for 9+ years.
The comments that Maizie only does cabaret and solo shows in Butlins and pubs is quite unfair as I've experienced much different venues. They were nearly ALWAYS of a high quality and although she's not the greatest singer she's fascinating on the eyes with an impecable taste, flair and grace. It may also interets you to know that I attended the premiere recently and the show was fabulous. Great set, costumes, dancing and vocals. Michelle played a perfect Ma Baker.
The audience were well thrilled and quite rightly so. I got a great impresion of Mr Farian. I knew him bacck in the day and I've only got good things to say about him although I do realise people have different opinions because of different reasons and respect that. I had a very unpleasant experience with the lead singer Ms Mitchel who didnt approve of me bing there but Frank didnt seem to mind nor anyone else, unless he was too busy to care. She continues to make life unpleasant for myself and Maizie presumably because of competition when she fails to realise if it was not for people like myself, etc, Franks music would eventually die and it is not her place to object to anyone as, unlike Abba, none of the originals wrote any of the songs directly.
All in all my utmost respect and admiration goes out to Frank Farian for creating such a phenomina as Boney M even with the naffness! It has brought so much joy to all - whatever colour, creed, preference, age, etc and I know that from shows I've taken part in so it would be great if we all can just get on with the joys of the 70's magic.
Sorry to make this sooo long.

[marian knapczyk]

i have been a tour manager with both maizie and sheila and although i still try to sell sheila into ex eastern bloc countries I am beginning to see that this is a complete fraud , sheila never sang on any of the original boney m music and is now trying to benefit from the success of liz and maizie ......it is high time that promoters stopped trying to save a few dollars and at least give the paying public a true article or tell them they are being conned . TV in both Russia and Poland have recently researched the fact that Sheila only sang Boney M songs when touring with Maizie as a backing singer and any other claim to fame is purely pretentious , come on Sheila give it a rest the real fans are on to your fraud

[Sheila Bonnick]

I dont know what kind of stunt this is but you're in another world!
Go back to the drawing board, check your facts, get a life and leave mine alone!

[ALEX CARRERA]

I've just realized a show whit Sheila in Italy and she was PERFECT , and her's group also.... I knew already the other BONEY M. groups and I can say that for me Sheila is the better one...

[Donavon Nelson]

Sorry but Sheila you shuld take a rest for you have never been a member of Boney M and you never will - it does not matter how hard you try - you are a fake and you know it. Just look at your self - it is a joke. Sorry Lov

[Donavon Nelson]

check out one of the real originals www.maiziewilliams.com