Boney M's Bobby Farrell Dead at 61

Bobby Farrell -- the only male member of Germany-based '70s disco group Boney M -- has died in Russia at the age of 61, reports the BBC. According to his agent, John Seine, the singer-dancer was found dead by staff in his hotel room in St. Petersburg after he failed to respond to a wake-up call.

Farrell had been performing in the Russian city with a version of Boney M and had complained the previous night of breathing difficulties before and after the gig. No cause of death has been given as yet.

Born Roberto Alfonso Farrell in Aruba in 1949, the performer had moved around Europe before being spotted by producer Frank Farian (who not only created Boney M but also devised the scandal-plagued duo Milli Vanilli). Though all his vocal parts were handled by Farian in the studio, Farrell did sing live.

Along with singers Liz Mitchell, Marcia Barrett and Maizie Williams, Farrell and Boney M become regular chart fixtures in the UK and throughout Europe, thanks to smash hits including 'Ma Baker,' 'Brown Girl in the Ring' and 'Daddy Cool' (however, fame would mostly elude them in North America, with 'Rivers of Babylon' marking them as one-hit wonders in the US). Boney M officially disbanded in 1986, but numerous versions of the group featuring the different members have been touring the live circuit ever since.