It’s been over 50 years since the disco legends Boney M first hit the airwaves, but Liz Mitchell—the unmistakable voice behind their biggest hits—is still very much in tune with life, legacy, and finances.
At 73, the singer who gave us “Rivers of Babylon,” “Rasputin,” and “Daddy Cool” is reflecting on a life full of big tunes, big changes, and hard-earned wisdom.
Now living in Caversham, Berkshire with her husband and manager Thomas Pemberton, Mitchell was recently appointed an MBE for her contributions to music and charity.
But as she’ll tell you, her journey from Jamaica to global fame wasn’t always lined with gold records.
Learning the Value of a Penny from Her Grandparents
Before the stage lights and chart-toppers, Liz was a young girl raised by her Jamaican farmer grandparents.
With six children in the family and parents working hard in England, money was always tight.
Her father, Norman, sent money back home from his labourer and engineering jobs, which her grandmother used for essentials—and sometimes, a few sweet treats for little Liz.
When she finally joined her parents in London, money was still something to be managed carefully.
The Windrush generation didn’t have it easy, but they made it work—buying a home for just £2,000 and launching the first Jamaican food store in Harlesden.
That entrepreneurial spirit stuck with her for life.
Scraping By in the Early Singing Days
Long before Boney M, Liz landed a role in the German version of the musical Hair, stepping in for none other than Donna Summer.
But the pay was far from glamorous—just £10 a week.
Despite being part of a major production, she was constantly broke.
“We had to watch every penny,” she says, recalling the early years of chasing a dream.
Those Rare Moments of “Silly Money”
There were definitely peaks, especially when Boney M took over the charts in the late 1970s.
Though the band sold millions of records and packed out concert venues, the group didn’t earn anywhere near what today’s big acts make.
Still, Liz says every now and then she gets invited to perform as “the voice of Boney M” with her backing band—and some of those gigs, like a recent posh London party, pay very well.
1978: The Year the Hits Just Kept Coming
If there’s one year that stood out financially, it was 1978.
Boney M dominated the UK and European charts with smash hits like “Brown Girl in the Ring,” “Rivers of Babylon,” “Mary’s Boy Child,” and “Rasputin.”
The concerts were packed, the fans were devoted, and the records flew off shelves.
But even then, Liz points out that the producers and the record label made far more than the group itself.
Splashing Out on Sound Systems and Sparkly Things
What did she do when money did start coming in? “A giant pair of Samsung speakers,” she laughs.
In the 1980s, she spent around £1,000 on them—a fortune at the time—just to enjoy the music with better sound.
But her biggest regret? Blowing cash on expensive jewellery during the height of Boney M’s fame.
Necklaces and bracelets that looked good in the moment, but didn’t exactly hold their value.
Best Money Move? Giving Her Kids a Private Education
Back in the 1980s, Liz and her husband made a big decision: they sent their three children to private school.
She believed the state education system was failing Black children, and didn’t want her kids written off or ignored.
“It was definitely the right thing to do,” she says, adding she hopes things are much fairer in today’s schools.
Faith, Family, and Giving Back
A committed born-again Christian since the 1970s, Liz sees wealth in terms of love, family, and purpose.
When it comes to inheritance, she says she’ll pass money on to her kids and grandkids, but she also wants to support her Let It Be charitable foundation.
“Whether there’ll be much left when I meet my maker is another thing,” she jokes.
Musicians and Pensions Don’t Always Mix
Liz admits the idea of pensions wasn’t something musicians talked about.
“It’s not really what you think about when you’re young and gigging,” she says.
Thankfully, her husband Thomas took charge of those matters, ensuring they were covered for the long haul.
A Home with History and Heart
She and Thomas bought their family home in Caversham over 30 years ago for about £400,000—considered a big sum at the time.
It’s where they’ve built their life together.
Meanwhile, her childhood home in Harlesden now proudly bears a blue plaque, a nod to the legacy she’s carved out over the decades.
What She’d Do If She Ran the Treasury
If she were in charge of the UK’s finances, Liz says she’d make it far easier for musicians to invest in proper pensions.
The industry generates billions, yet so many artists retire without financial security.
“We should be taking better care of our musicians,” she says firmly.
The Top Priority? Keep Singing While She Can
As for what’s next, Liz isn’t ready to put down the mic just yet.
“As long as I’ve still got my voice, I’ll keep performing,” she says with a grin.
“I’ll stop when I get to the point where I’m hurting people’s ears!”
Her disco days may be behind her, but Liz Mitchell’s story is still being sung—on stage, in family life, and in the legacy she’s leaving behind.
