# Marcia Barrett: Disco Icon Born 78 Years Ago

> Jamaican disco legend Marcia Barrett, who sold 150 million records with Boney M., released a cancer-fighting EP in 2003.
- Title: Marcia Barrett: Disco Icon Born 78 Years Ago | Shortify
- Summary: Jamaican disco legend Marcia Barrett, who sold 150 million records with Boney M., released a cancer-fighting EP in 2003. Jamaican singer Marcia Barrett, born…
- Keywords: marcia barrett, boney m, disco music, jamaica, cancer, xoa records, music, culture, Marcia, Barrett, Disco, Icon
- Source: American Songwriter — https://americansongwriter.com/born-78-years-ago-today-in-jamaica-the-disco-icon-who-sold-150-million-records-with-a-group-whose-biggest-hit-was-banned-in-the-soviet-union
- Author: Erinn Callahan
- Published: 2026-10-15T00:45:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: marcia barrett, boney m, disco music, jamaica, cancer, xoa records, music, culture
## Born in Jamaica
Marcia Barrett was born in Saint Catherine Parish, Jamaica on October 14, 1948.
## Boney M. Formation
Frank Farian formed Boney M. in 1974 with four West Indian vocalists including Marcia Barrett.
## Boney M. Hits
Boney M. had top 10 hits including Rasputin and Rivers of Babylon with Marcia Barrett sharing lead vocals.
## Soviet Union Ban
The band's song Rasputin was banned in the Soviet Union despite its popularity there.
## Solo Career
Barrett released two solo albums after Boney M. split in 1990, battling cancer twice in the 1990s and early 2000s.
## Key takeaway

Jamaican singer Marcia Barrett, born October 14, 1948, sold 150 million records with Boney M. and released a 2003 cancer-focused EP.