On the road again

IN THE 18 years since the original Boney M lineup disbanded, singer Marcia Barrett has battled and overcome cancer an astonishing four times.

The Jamaican-born diva joined the fledgling group in 1976, upon which it promptly became a disco phenomenon. Boney M eventually went on to sell more than 150 million records and remains the only band to have two of the top 10 best-selling singles ever in the UK – eclipsing even The Beatles – with 'Rivers of Babylon' and 'Mary's Boy Child'.

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The four-piece eventually split in 1990, when its producer and creator Frank Farian decided to pursue a more rock-orientated direction. Its members went their separate ways, pursuing solo careers and forming alternative Boney M lineups.

Fate, however, dealt Marcia a far more brutal hand. The singer moved to Florida, where in 1994 she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Four years later, she was found to have breast cancer, which returned in 2003 along with cancer of the spinal cord, paralysing her from the waist down for a brief period.

After regaining her health, Marcia returned to her beloved Berlin from Florida. She then decided to reform her incarnation of Boney M featuring husband Marcus, a former bassist for reggae musician Eddy Grant. In the last two-and-a-half years, she has brought the Boney M magic to both nostalgic die-hards and a brand new generation of fans.

Marcia performed at the American University of Dubai on Monday to help raise money for the Dubai Autism Centre. The non-profit organisation is currently fundraising for a brand new building, which would cater for the needs of 150 autistic children.

City Times spoke to Marcia just before her performance.

So what brings you to Dubai?

It was a spontaneous decision, because I just did something in India for breast cancer and we fitted this in. I thought why not – even if I haven't experienced something I want to help out. Boney M came here once in the 1980s. It was empty but it was still great, we did Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain as I recall.

How is your health these days?

My health is fine, I don't even think about it. I really don't. These days, now I'm on stage performing, there's no time to think about it. I'm a strong personality, if I might say so. I was born like that. I do have my check-ups, mind you.

Is being in Boney M more about having fun now?

No, it was a lot of fun back then too. I miss my colleagues but life goes on. If circumstances change then I have to carry on with my life. It's great, I'm enjoying myself.

Do you have any particular favourites from the Boney M repertoire?

I love all these songs and enjoy performing them even today. Every country where we've been the audience stand up and sing along, they dance and they're appreciative. People take away a little fun and a little joy.

Are you surprised at the band's longevity?

I'm not only surprised but very excited. It thrills me each time I go onstage nowadays to know that people still remember the songs. We have new generations come along – their parents were fans and they tell the kids. I find it fantastic.

Did people know who you were while you were living in the USA?

The media there know Boney M but not the public. America is the only country that people don't know us because we were not promoted there – our producer Frank was German and didn't speak any English, so maybe he was afraid to venture there.

So did you enjoy your anonymity in Florida?

Not really! Haha. I think it even triggered off some of my attacks from cancer because I was not happy inside. There's no action there, it's just for pensioners. I was not ready for that phase and I'm still not. During that time of healing I composed quite a few songs with my husband Marcus, which really helped. I was singing at home and doing demos and so forth. I kept busy and creatively active.

Are you the type of person that can't sit still?

Exactly. But I'm not a hectic person. I hate hectic. I'm organised – that's the word.

What's it like living in Berlin nowadays?

Everybody's flocking to Berlin – the locals are fantastic. I love Germany and the way they treat foreigners. They're very hospitable. I was brought up in England, but when I was 19 I told my mother I was fed up with office work and was going to Germany with a contract to dance. She said 'Can you speak German?' I said I would but for my first two years there I thought the only way I would learn the language was with hot potatoes in my mouth. I eventually learnt by myself, without any schooling.

How long do you envisage continuing to tour with Boney M?

I'll leave it up to God, whatever he wants me to do. I feel I am on a mission to continue on my own with my team to spread the news again. I feel very spiritual about it – Boney M, my health, everything. I've been religious from birth because without God you cannot accomplish anything.

adam@khaleejtimes.com