Project Description
Interview with
MAIZIE WILLIAMS
from
BONEY M
Interviewer – Laura Tedder
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Maizie Williams is one of the original members of the 1970s music group, Boney M. The successful disco-pop group have just released tour dates, bringing their traditional Boney M show to Australian shores. Laura Tedder had the chance to speak to Maizie Williams about the history of Boney M, the struggles and achievements she faced throughout her life, and what we can expect in the near future from Boney M and Maizie herself.
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How did you become a member of Boney M?
Let me make a long story short. I started off modelling from a very young age, so I wanted to be in the entertainment business, and modelling seemed to be the first step. So I went to modelling school and I became a model. In the 70s, my agent came up with this deal in Germany, so she asked me if I’d like to go abroad to do some modelling, and I said “Of course I would, who wouldn’t?”, to get away from the 9-5 job anyway. I went to Germany, and there was a cafeteria we used to regularly go to, just me and some girls from the fashion show; we became very friendly with the owner and his wife. One day while we were there, this woman and a guy walked in, and came straight to our table and said “Maizie?”, I replied with “Well who wants to know, who are you?” And she said “I’m hired by a producer called Frank Farian, who wants to put a group together, (which was Boney M). He knew what he wanted, he needed a guy and three girls”. At first I thought “Oh yeah right, I’ve heard stories like this before” and she told me “It was a genuine offer, if you’re interested, can you come to the office?”. I thought okay, I have nothing to lose so why not. We were due to come back from Germany to Britain a few days later because the contract was over, but I thought that it would be nice to stay in Germany for a while. So anyway, I went to their office the next day, and the producer wanted to meet me. So I met him, and he explained the situation. I told him the problem was I was due to go back to Britain in a few days, and I couldn’t afford to stay in Germany for a long length of time. He said to me, “Not to worry, we can get you a place to stay if you’re interested”. It sounded too good to be true, even the girls with me said “Oh you silly girl, this isn’t going to happen, they’re playing a game”, I told them “You know what, I have nothing to lose”. I gave it a try, and here it is, you know the result. The rest is history.
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Besides music, do you have any other passions?
Oh yeah, I love acting, do you know I really wanted to be an actor, more than I wanted to be a singer. That was my first love, I don’t know why I didn’t pursue that. I think what it is, once I got into the music business, I got trapped in there. I didn’t bother to think about the acting so I put that aside, I wish I didn’t, but I still do things in theatres like shows and musicals, which I really enjoy. Other than that I love sports and charity work, things that give me a boost in spirit.
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Throughout your career you’ve toured around the world, where is your favourite place to visit?
There’s many favourite places that I love, because the world is a beautiful place and there’s so many beautiful countries. To be honest, I can’t choose, we have so many countries we love coming back to, Australia being one of them. It’s a blessing and a privilege when we can keep going back to places that we enjoy going to and performing there.
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Looking back on your career, is there anything you would change or do differently?
Nothing. I wouldn’t change anything. If I was to say I would change something, that means I’d be changing the gift that has been handed down to Boney M which I believe truly and honestly is from God. Even the ups and downs, I wouldn’t change that either, because they were the times when I became stronger and a better person in spirit. You get much wiser through experiences in life, whether they’re good or bad.
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I can imagine you have experienced some amazing things throughout your musical career, what would you say would be the highlight?
One of the major highlights is when we recorded ‘Rasputin’ which is a true story, no one from the outer world was allowed to go inside communist Russia, and we were the first; we were actually invited by the Government of Russia to come and perform. That was like‘ What? Huh? Why?’. It was really an adventure, a great adventure because we really didn’t know what to expect. Once we were there, we realised that the people reacted to our music the same as everyone else, just like any other country. So it goes to show that music has really got an influence and an impact on people all over the world.
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You’re bringing your tour to Australia in October, what can fans expect from your show?
We aim to bring a traditional Boney M show to the stage, lots of hits, energy, and the costumes. People always connect Boney M with the outrageous costumes, and I think people still expect that to be the same. It’s not exactly the same, we’ve toned it down a little, not as flamboyant and crazy, but we are going to bring a spectacular show to the stage.
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Are there any songs in particular that you are looking forward to play?
I look forward to perform all the songs. We have songs like ‘Sunny’, when we open up with that song, the audience suddenly comes alive. Then we have songs like ‘Daddy Cool’, which especially with the men, they love and relate to that. Then we have ‘Brown Girl in the Ring’, that everyone sings along with. Then there’s more of a serious side with songs like ‘Rivers of Babylon’, which is Boney M’s anthem, and everyone reacts to it in the most spectacular way. So I look forward to all the songs.
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If you didn’t become a member of Boney M, where do you think you would’ve been today?
God knows, only God knows. And I’m glad I don’t know. I’d hate to think that I’d be stuck with 5 children or more, have a 9-5 job, and a husband that I have to wait on night and day. I’d hate to think that was going to be my life. I have no kids, and I regret that I didn’t have children, because my career took priority. By the time I realised that I would’ve loved to have children, my biological clock stopped ticking, so that didn’t happen.
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Do you have any exciting plans for your career in the near future?
Who knows what the future brings. I want to do a solo album, I’ve done a gospel album but I really want to do a solo album. I wrote a book about natural health and beauty. So things like that, writing, and recording solo songs, charity work. I’m just taking one day at a time.
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What advice would you give to musicians and performers who are just starting out?
What I would say to them, it’s got to be a passion, if it’s not a passion then you might as well not even try. If it’s a passion then you will persevere through thick and thin no matter what. You have got to really enjoy it for it to be successful. Do it for you, don’t do it just because you want money, or you want to be famous, do it because you enjoy it. That is really important, It’s exactly what we did, and we really enjoyed it. We never thought we would ever have a hit, so when we actually had a hit, it was like ’Wow!’. So do it because you really want it, because you enjoy it, because you love it and because it’s your passion. That’s what I would say.
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It was an absolute pleasure talking to Maizie Williams, her wisdom and story is truly inspirational. Maizie was incredibly friendly and personable, making the interview extremely enjoyable. You can catch the group on their Australian tour in October. Boney M’s music bridges generations, catering for all ages; You are guaranteed to have a memorable night full of funky tunes and dancing.
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Boney M
2018 Tour Dates
Sunday 7th October ADELAIDE, The Gov
Wednesday 10th October PERTH, Astor Theatre
Friday 12th October BRISBANE, Eatons Hill Hotel (Seated)
Saturday 13th October TWEED HEADS, Twin Towns
Tuesday 16th October NEWCASTLE, Wests New Lambton
Thursday 18th October CANBERRA, Southern Cross Club
Friday 19th October SYDNEY Enmore Theatre
Saturday 20th October MELBOURNE, Palais Theatre
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Tickets
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