Everyone knows the music of Boney M. — even if they think they don’t. From songs like Rasputin, Rivers of Babylon, Daddy Cool and Gotta Go Home to Christmas favourites such as Little Drummer Boy, Feliz Navidad and When a Child is Born, Boney M’s music catalogue is vast.
Originally based in West Germany, Boney M. came into existence in 1976 and rose to popularity at the height of disco in the 70s. The band’s big break came that same year when they performed the song Daddy Cool on a German television show, which helped them sell over 100 million records at the beginning of their rise to fame.
Although the band initially gained notoriety in Germany, Boney M. reached number one with Daddy Cool in countries such as Switzerland, Norway, Spain and Austria, their popularity also extended to the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union. Boney M. released their second album in 1977, called “Love for Sale” which reached number one in Germany and made the top 10 in the United Kingdom.
In 1978, Boney M. released “Nightflight to Venus” in which was the band’s biggest year and included hits such as Rasputin and Painter Man. Riding on the waves of the album’s success, Boney M. released later that same year "Mary's Boy Child – Oh My Lord", which was the number one Christmas song in the United Kingdom in 1978 and one of the band’s biggest selling singles of all time there.
The 1970s saw the bulk of Boney M.’s success with its original band members; by the 1980s, some of the founding members started leaving and the band then saw a variety of line-ups being performed with different personnel.
However, in 1981 the band recorded its sixth studio album, which was appropriately titled “Christmas Album” for release in November 1981 ahead of the Christmas holiday season. On the album included the million-selling Christmas hit “Mary’s Boy Child/Oh My Lord” and produced other single releases, “Little Drummer Boy,” “Feliz Navidad,” “Jingle Bells,” and “White Christmas.” The album reached platinum sales in 1983.
Since its first album, Boney M. has sold over 150 million records worldwide and, while the band never reached quite the same popularity in North America as it did in Europe, Boney M.’s “Christmas Album” remains a household favourite.
Although the holiday season may be over for another year, here at Underground Music we can order for you the band’s fan favourite “Christmas Album” so you can be well-stocked for next year’s holiday Christmas music listening. Additionally, we carry a wide range of Boney M.’s other records for you to choose from.
Here at Underground Music, we are proud to be able to provide the greatest record selection in BC’s interior — with genres ranging from rock, jazz, indie and blues to metal, reggae, punk and metal, among many others — and conveniently located in Kelowna’s entertainment district.
Come on by and see what we have in stock at 4-1331 Ellis Street! We look forward to seeing you.
