Boney M. takes latest tour to Atlantic Canada, finds new legion of young fans
It’s been almost 50 years since disco-funk group Boney M. rose to stardom with international hits such as “Rasputin,” “Rivers of Babylon” and “Mary’s Boy Child.”
Original band member Liz Mitchell, who is currently touring with the group, says a new generation is now enjoying their iconic tunes years later.
“Twenty-two billion people downloaded our songs on TikTok,” she told CTV’s Katie Kelly during a recent interview in Halifax.
Social media users aren’t the only ones who have rediscovered the Afro-German-Caribbean band. Other musical artists have used parts of their old songs to create new ones.
Perhaps the best-known example is "Barbra Streisand" by DJ duo Duck Sauce. The song topped the charts in 2011 and used a sample of Boney M.’s song "Gotta Go Home.”
“Big names are actually listening to what we did and sampling it and using it to enhance their music,” Mitchell says. “So that makes me feel really good that what we did was so profound.”
Mitchell says she has noticed “very, very young” people in the crowds of recent Boney M. shows.
“I don’t think they expect me to be a 70-year-old woman, because they’re looking at our videos, our old videos, where I’m really young and frisky there!”
Boney M. took the stage in Halifax Tuesday night -- the first of seven “Holiday Favourites and Classic Hits!” shows in Atlantic Canada.
Mitchell says people can expect to hear their all their favourite songs.
“We would never do a show and leave out the hits,” she says. “But we will also be celebrating Christmas.”
She adds that plenty of people in the audience sing along during the shows.
“You’d be amazed. I don’t really even get a chance to say, ‘This is your turn,’” Mitchell says, laughing.
Boney M. is no stranger to Atlantic Canada. They performed sold-out shows in St. John’s and Halifax in 2019.
“It does mean a lot to me. I’m very happy to know that after all these years -- put it that way -- that the music still resonates in their hearts and of people -- of our fans,” says Mitchell.
Boney M.’s next show in the region will be at Casino New Brunswick in Moncton on Dec. 15. The tour will then head to Charlottetown, Truro, Sydney and Corner Brook before wrapping up in St. John’s on Dec. 22.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Police in Paris detain a man wearing fake explosives vest at Iran's Consulate
A man wearing a fake explosive vest and making threats was detained Friday outside the Iranian Consulate in Paris after police locked down the area, authorities said. His motive was unclear.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.