I was born on the small Caribbean Island of Montserrat, in the 1950’s Montserrat faced a terrible hurricane that struck the island and few years later the volcano Le Suffrière woke up and made it disastrous to its habitants, after that we all moved to England. I finished school, and continued to study drama, and at the same time signed up for modelling jobs to help fund my studies. An opportunity came up for the young Caribbean girl when I participated in a beauty contest in Brighton, “Miss Black and Beautiful” which I went on to win, and that opened doors I could never dream off. From then on, I modelled for different agencies, travelling here and there, finally ending up with an assignment in Germany.
After an exhausting day, I ended up taking lunch in a nearby restaurant, where I was approach by a woman called Katja Wolf, that turned out to be an talent scout who was searching for people to join a group under the name of Boney M. I agreed to be part of the project and travelled around Germany with Katja in the hope of finding the additional three members required to make up the quartet. Luckily she found two more females and one more guy.
We all went together to Frankfurt for a meeting at Frank Farian's studio at the time called Offenbach, to test our voices, and to my surprise - Frank was very happy and agreed to this being the first formation of the group Boney M.
Rapidly after the meeting a photo session followed, and I noticed her three colleagues having cold feet about the project and later they decided to abandon the group. This leaving myself high and dry and so close to my dream, but yet so far, I now needed to find three new replacements.
I had discussions with Frank Farian and agreed to tour the country with Katja to recruit three new members. At that point I was the only original member from the first formation of Boney M left, until I met Bobby Farrell, who was a dj at a local night club and what attracted the interest of both myself and Katja was his image and dancing while spinning the records. We talked to Bobby who instantly then fell for the project.
Having got the male singer, Katja then heard from a friend of a new girl in Hamburg called Marcia Barrett, so both us arranged an appointment to visit her at home and there she gave a live vocal performance and right there we new we had the second member!
Katja’s sources then recommended a girl by the name of Liz Mitchell that was based in London, I called her and explained the idea of the project, and she agreed to attend a meeting in Hanover. Following the meeting, everyone felt that we had found the final and fourth member of the group.
This led to the signing of a recording contract in 1976, and having major world wide success. Now 30 years later and the anniversary of Disco, the Boney M name is still riding high internationally, and I am as active as ever, performing live concerts and make great music.
Although the memories of Boney M will always be special to me, I diversified my talents and recently completed my first gospel album that is considered to be both spiritual and close to my heart. Secondly the writing of a Natural Health and Beauty Book, which is a collection of natural herbal components, oils, remedies and beauty tips that I had obtained through past generations and worldly experiences.
I always find time to support numerous charities and have a strong dedication to my Christian faith, and believes that my path in life has been the blessing of God.
If you want to find out more about me today including my news and projects, visit my site at::::
WWW.MAIZIEWLLIAMS.COM
Who I'd like to meet: Boney M - Sunny
Boney M - Rivers of Babylon
Hi Maizie!!!! WOW!!! Thank you so much for your Friend request!!! I'm so Honored!!! I have every one of your Boney M. Albums!!! I've always been a Boney M. Fan from the beginning!!! I'm so happy that your still making Music!!! Thank You sooo much for Your Friendship!!!! I Love You!!!....Cliff
Melanie Thornton(1967-2001)