100% agree! BTW... just wanted to add this about the group Boney M. Although "Daddy Cool" was very popular in the dance music scene in the US, it was not their biggest hit in America. That honor belongs to their version of the Jamaican song, "Rivers of Babylon" which became a huge international mega-hit for them. The original was by the Rastafarian group, the Melodians. They also had another American hit with "Brown Girl in the Ring." 👍🏽 👍🏽 👍🏽
@@helloxonsfanI’m 49 now. When I was child, Boney M was one of the groups that my dad would play quite often! I very much remember “Brown Girl In The Rain” and “Rasputin”. There was also a Christmas song which is not coming to mind right now. Anyway, I came to make this comment because of the 90s. In the 90s, I was in my 20s…my clubbing age! Rasputin was huge in the clubs here in Toronto, Ontario. Ahhh, those were the days where, other than Milli Vanilli, I didn’t know how far the lip-syncing was!
When Fab said, he used to think that when he heard people laughing when he would be in public, he thought they were laughing at him, I wanted to cry. I really enjoyed the documentary.
That is anxiety and paranoia at its worse. Hearing people laughing in public and thinking they are laughing about you. Imagine having your mind playing tricks on you and battling a drug and alcohol addiction.
I throughly enjoyed the documentary. It made me cry just thinking about their story and how they were literally taken advantage of and painted as villains. The media tore them apart. Plus the racism and xenophobia they had to face as well. And knowing Rob faced so much pain and met his demise 😢 and I’m happy Fab has healed and has a great life now just wish rob could have healed and lived his life too❤ overall great watch
Yes Rob’s story to me is very sad. It doesn’t seem like he had a lot of people in his corner. Especially towards the end. I also think if someone has never dealt with a lot of scrutiny it can hit like a wall when it’s coming from the masses.
I’m so glad the documentary focused on the racism and xenophobia the group suffered. Also, Milli Vanilli is one of many dance groups that had attractive models lip syncing to the voices of other singers.
I don't understand, if most people in the industry already knew that Rob & Fab weren't the ones singing on the records and didn't want them to win the Grammy, then why did they vote for them to win. Because the Grammy's are voted on by people in the industry, make it make sense
It’s not that most people in the entire industry knew but people who worked with Milli Vanilli directly such as the people at their record label who definitely knew
I'm a 80's kid, so I definitely was into Milli Vanilli, I was captivated by their looks (especially Fab) & style, I was in love with the whole package, when I found out they weren't singing, I was too young to grasp why people were upset by it, I was like, who cares, I still like them ..lol, but as I became an adult & begin to understand the whole story, I felt bad for them, & never understood why people were only mad at them & not the actual record company & Frank, but anyway, I still love them til this day & still play their records, yea they're not the original singers but they'll always be Milli Vanilli to me💖
I didn’t pay for any tickets but went to a concert with someone that won tickets from a radio give-away! I agree the concert was full of energy!!! When I found out of the scandal, I couldn’t believe it because they looked like they were really singing!!
It was their look and performance on stage that sold the tix. I think we woulda been fine knowing they were lip syncing. Makes me sad how they were treated
I was in high school when Milli vanilli was popular and we went crazy over their look and dance moves! Lip syncing wouldn’t have mattered because it was the package we liked of those two
I just finished watching this! Damn! I thought their Behind the Music was emotional enough, but this took it to a new level! The fact that they were thrown under the bus that hard and ultimately cost Rob his life, I could never do this business. But watching Fab overcome it, that's a story right there and a proud one! I don't know what Frank is doing now, but if karma hasn't come to him yet, it will. I still love the MV album! Blame It On the Rain is my favorite! They're still icons! As well as the voices behind.
Couldn’t understand the backlash towards them. They were caught into the matrix that others created. The people machine behind them was able to walk away unscathed.
I absolutely loved this documentary. I watched the Behind the Music episode all the time as a kid. Frank was let off too easy, and still to this day he's doing nothing but getting paid for ruining people's lives. Regarding some of the folks at Arista, they were lying because why would Clive give that guy Sandy an angry phone call after he found out that they would be nominated for a Grammy?
I watched the documentary and this story was tragic. Two talented, young men with a dream met a snake (Frank). He used, abused and made millions off of them then thru them under the bus. Both men barely spoke English, signed a contract written in German Fab wasn't fluent in German without legal representation or an agent. Then after signing the contract Frank told them they wouldn't be allowed to sing plus they didn't know it was a contract for three albums. It cost a precious life Rob and for both of them what their lives might have been. Yet Frank, Clive Davis and Arista records were not blamed?
I always loved Blame it on the Rain and I’m gonna Miss you. It puts me in my Terrence Trent D’arby mood. I always felt bad for them and remember them on Arsenio Hall making a comeback and even Arsenio saying that they sounded great and could really sing. I just think they were done so sad because C&C Music Factory was out at that time doing the same thing and later down the line it became acceptable (Jlo).
Excellent review! I'm especially impressed by how much additional research you've done. I've been a Milli Vanilli fan since 1989 and I've done extensive research on their story as well. Frank Farian didn't get Numarx's permission to rerecord "Girl You Know It's True" so they eventually sued him. Something that needs to be pointed out is the concept of models lip-syncing to someone else's vocals had been done many times before in Europe. For some reason, it was acceptible over there so, Milli Vanilli really should have remained a European act only and, never set foot in America. Clive Davis absolutely knew they weren't singing and actually told Farian when it was time to record the next album, "Whatever you do, don't change the sound." He was referring to the vocals because, of course, if they really sing this time, the vocals wouldn't match the vocals from the previous album.
I didn’t realize how much of an “open secret” it was / is in Hollywood that there would be “groups” of “singers” but only ONE person would actually be doing the [majority] of the “singing.” Case in point, The Pussycat Dolls. Nicole was the lead and sang damn near everything else and one of the others (Melody, I believe) would occasionally chime in with an “oohhh” or an “ahhh.” Really defeated the purpose of a “group” when the rest would just silently mime whatever Nicole recorded 🥴 Milli Vanilli essentially being just THAT several decades before just lets me know much of the [singing / music] industry is a lot of smoke & mirrors. In fact, Mathew Knowles even inadvertently told on himself after firing Latoya & Latavia and would rely on Beyoncé & Kelly to “do all the singing” when Michelle and the other one were brought in as replacements. Other instances of non-singers that went far in their “singing” careers in spite of not singing the majority of her songs is J-Lo. 🐸☕️ essentially, she’s an equivalent to Milli Vanilli, but as a “solo artist.”
I used to produce records back in the day and many people would be surprised how many "legendary groups" did this. This is one reason I feel we do not have groups like we used to anymore, many of the leads probably did not want to carry what they felt was dead weight. Many of the non singing members of these groups were only in them because they were phenomenal dancers and/ or had the right look. If you watch live performances of many r&b groups from the 70s and 80s on UA-cam you can hear a major difference on the background vocals from how they sounded on record. Shows like SoulTrain and American Bandstand over 90 percent of the time had lip-synched performances, so the public did not notice it as much then. Professional background singers (non-group members) made the background vocals for many groups come to life. If you look at some album credits they will say things such as, additional background vocals by or if background vocals arranged by multiple people, that is a translation for the background vocals were done by the lead singer and these specific non group members!!
I now follow Fab on YT. He seems like a very sweet person. I was a huge Milli Vanilli fan and saw them twice in concert. So sad the whole thing. RIP Rob 😢
Loved the documentary. Btw is it me or doesn’t Fab look like a young Michael Jackson really bad. The eyes, his facial expressions and wide mouth especially. I went down the rabbit hole over the weekend too. I find Frank Farian was almost like a slave master, the shit was so sad but I’m glad Fab made it out of that though, God bless him…
Great job Calvin as I do remember this whole period. So sad Rob ended up deceased and later with us finding out that Fab could actually "talk and sing"--- thanks for your review of this entire story...
I remember they were reduced to doing a chewing gum commercial where they were supposed to be singing, and the record skipped. It was supposed to be comedic, it wasn't.
There were also on Super Mario Bros. 3 cartoon and guest starred on an episode called Kootie Pie Rocks on October 27, 1990; three weeks before the scandal dropped.
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed this doc. It was both nostalgic and terribly sad. Rob not getting adopted till age 4? you cant tell me that wasn't traumatic..drinking out of the toilet to get attention let alone being a black child in 1960s Germany. This doc really stuck with me the heaviness ..I wish they had just autotuned like a lot of pop stars at the time. Im comforted by Fabrice finding love and having a family he seems like a sweet sensitive man. Great review of a great doc❤ Thank you!😊
YES!! Traxploitation's Mime and Punishment video is THE best! And just to say, it's not "them"...Traxploitation is one amazing guy, who is an incredible creator and researcher, doing everything on his own: Wayne "Lotek" Bennett.
This was the first doc I've seen of Milli Vanilli, where I was 100 percent on their side no chaser. It did a great job humanizing THEM, instead of focusing just on their career trajectory. They were completely preyed on by this barn-house owl- looking axx MF. ugh so infuriating
Thank you for this. I loved them even after all of the scandal. I don’t think they should have taken 100% of the blame as the did. That dude Frank is a special kinda predator! I still have the original Milli Vanilli CD I got through my Columbia House subscription. I play it on occasion.
The documentary is a must see! I read something about the album they did with the weasel Frank that in order for Rob to get into rehab (paid by Frank) he needed to get both Rob and Fab back in the studio. That was the deal otherwise Rob wouldn’t get the help he needed pretty sad. I didn’t care if they lip synced they were awesome and still are. My favorite song was blame it on the rain I always pictured Rob performing it cause it was his song ❤❤❤❤
Love your pot cast Calvin. I loved Girl you know it true, and blame it on the rain. It I was very hurt when Milly Vanilly was canceled. My heart went out to them. Blessings Fab, RIHeaven Rob!
Yes, it was a really good watch (I didn't realize i needed to see). Something every fan of any type of music should watch. Yes, they did lip sync and that alone should not be rewarded with a Grammy, etc. But it shows even more how the industry treats artists and takes advantage of young artists only to back them further into a corne where they have no choice. RIP Rob. So happy for Fab for finding happiness and moving forward after the world continued to kick them while they were down. Thanks for telling us about Mime and Punishment. Definitely going to watch because I wanted to know more- rabbit hole.
OMG, IT WAS GREAT! Fab has won in the end. I am sending him love and good wishes for pouring his heart out for the truth. He has a great voice and I want to hear more. It is so sad that Rob didn't have the life tools to survive. I understand, suicide runs in my family, and I fight the battle. What is sad is that my daughter has depression and anxiety badly. She got the gene. My son has some depression also, but he has always been able to talk to me about it and get help. There was no way that Fab could have helped him because he was caught up in the circle of evil that was happening to them. He loved him and wanted to. This is Frank and 'Milli's' fault. They started this bulls#!+. I wish Rob had a good set of friends who knew how to help him. May Fab, his beautiful partner, and 4 beautiful children be truly blessed.
The producer Frank should have went to jail for using people. The media was so mean to Rob, and Fab. Why wasn't the media mean to Frank, and other people involved? The media are so mean to our people. Rob, and Fab went through alot of things in their life. Moral of the story please read contracts, and tell the truth. They should have never worked with Frank again. I liked Milli Vanilli growing up, and still do. Thank God Fab is ok! So sad about Rob! Calvin you did a excellent review of the Milli Vanilli documentary. God bless you! Rest in peace Rob! 🙏💜
thanks Calvin! I was struck by how much these artists gave up after they signed, it seemed as if they had from that point no say in their own future. 💯
I love your in the music episodes! They're so informative you really paint a full picture of the World during that time period. I'm definitely going to catch the documentary now. Their stories are definitely important and I hope Rob is at peace🙏🏾
Didn't Arista JUST serve as an American distribution company for them? That's how I remember it anyway. They were already a ready-made thing by the time they came to Arista & The States, so I can see how MV's secret went over Arista execs heads. I mean the whole world didn't 'catch' the fact that these guys are from another country, especially hearing them speak, YET sounding like they sounded on record SO...LOL!
In that realm it would make sense that they were out of the know. But the doc talks about Arista making them go and record new songs because the material on “All or Nothing” wasn’t strong enough to push in the US. Most of the Frank produced songs were scrapped for the Girl You Know its true release. It seems like they were more involved than just being distributors.
*Great review. I was thoroughly captivated...!!! BTW... just a teeny-tiny correction regarding the group Boney M. Although "Daddy Cool" was very popular in the dance music scene in the US, it was not their biggest hit in America. That honor belongs to their version of the Jamaican song, "Rivers of Babylon" which became a huge international mega-hit for them. The original was by the Rastafarian group, the Melodians. They also had another American hit with "Brown Girl in the Ring."* 👍🏽 👍🏽 👍🏽
I was 11 when shit hit the fan and even back then never understood why Frank Farian was let off so easy. He was the one behind this whole thing, it's not like Fab and Rob tricked him. The way he is always smiling (I think to this day) talking about this mess is disgusting, considering these two young men were put through hell and he played a huge part in that.
All I know is that the Milli Vanilli album is one of the top five pop albums I have ever heard. I have heard two songs from their unreleased second album, and they also sounded like number one hits. Just wonderful, perfect pop.
Its sad cause so many ppl were villianizing them saying they can't sing. Meanwhile they wanted to sing their own songs but was robbed of that. Same for the voices behind it though they weren't villianized they were tricked into being a part of something they didn't want to be a part of.
It pissed me off that those devils were acting like they didn't create that monster. And it's sad that black artist are so easily thrown to the waist side. My heart goes out to those young dreamers. Same thing C+C music factory did to Martha Wash. But just the opposite. Thanx for your review, I wouldn't have watched it cuz I thought I knew the full story already.
Please I beg you to do more conversations about artist and music because with your opinions even if you don’t agree your thoughts are well thought out and have facts behind them and I really enjoy your videos. It’s rare on UA-cam
It’s interesting how the history changes over time, I thought it was an immediate outrage when the track skipped too… I feel like we’re seeing that happen today I see a lot of ppl acting like Jada Pinkett is lying about how close her & pac was when I remember they were very close but this new generation doesn’t know that or really understand
I loved it. I’m so glad you mentioned the other album they were working on with frank in the late 90s. It was called “back and in attack”. However it fell through. I was confused because it never was mentioned in the paramount documentary
I watched it when it dropped and I still wanted to hear your commentary :) Great Job. For those that are not interested in watching it, this was a very good recap to where they would not have to.
This was really good but brother I fell out when you mocked Frank telling them what it was regarding the music and you said y’all got a cute little yeee yannn voice but…..quoting Pam from Martin I hollered for at least thirty minutes 😂😂😂😂😂😂
So nice how you break it down. I had a chance to meet Bobby who was in Boney M. before he passed. The concept Frank had way before along with Bobby. who was from Holland. That was Frank's voice on the parts Bobby was miming.Rob and Fab used to get their hair done by one of the Afo shops in Germany whre I used to go too. But, these us didn't deserve all the backlash. They did promote the record. I just wish someone didn't lose his life through all this industry madness.
I'm listening to you and thinking about *BTS*. Seven Korean men with very thick accents, only one of them can speak English, but they still managed to memorize the lyrics and sing in a "universally" recognized accent. If given the chance to sing and really practice, Milli would have done well.
@@rnbsteenstar people would get used to it. No one questions Abba or Ladysmith Black Mambazo about their accents. As long as the music is enjoyable, which theirs was.
Wonderful and entertaining! And so were Fab and Rob as MV! Exhilarating, uplifting energy...they were great performing together. By the way, I feel their high energy came mostly from within....❤
Man, I feel really bad and guilty about how I used to laugh at all the jokes and send up of Milli Vanilli over the years, and to learn what had really transpired in their past. Makes you realise how a decision on any given day can send one’s life rollercoasting in an unstoppable journey and wrong direction, and at such a relatively young age. Very sad to hear what was going on in the background of Milli Vanilli. I hope I can get to watch this documentary somewhere in the U.K, and I hope they soon release their bio movie. This was great listening 🙏🏾
Another note about Frank Farian's fascination with race and image and him replacing the white girls from the tapes with black backround singers for the public. Frank originally tried to be a singer himself and he even had some success in Germany in a genre called "Schlager". But he didn't really like Schlager music because it's considdered to be uncool and mostly popular with old people. He had a "black voice" and preferred to make rock music or disco or something cool and funky. However, Frank believed that he could never be star because fans would never accept an average looking white guy from Germany as the next disco king. He felt that he lacked the "total package" to be a star. That's why he created Boney M. and had Bobby Farrell put on a crazy dance performance that would get everybody's attention while his own uncharismatic self would do the vocals that Farell would lipsync to. Even when you look at Farian's bands after the Milli Vanilli scandal like La Bouche or No Mercy, it were always attractive people portraying a certain image of youth and coolness. Sending out an average looking guy like Phil Collins in a flannell shirt and only his own voice and the piano to convince the fans was not the way he operated.
About the German TV show where they had Rob & Fab, the Real Milli Vanilli and Frank Farian on. The show was called "Menschen 90" meaning something like "people of 1990" and was about people who made big news in 1990. As you said Rob and Fab performed and Frank Farian was there as well. They were all kinda friendly with each other and tried not break the peace. After their performance the host said that to him Rob and Fab can sing pretty well and asked Frank what he thinks about their performance. Frank then said he would never say that they can't sing at all but that they sing "like you and me" and not on the level of real pros and the singers that he usually works with. Oh, and I loved "Blame it on the rain". That was the song of me and my very first girlfriend.
I also saw like years back and they even mention it on Wikipedia that Rob and Fab actually were talking with Frank to do another album shortly before Rob passed.
Loved your commentary on this documentary Calvin. I was very sadden by the documentary, but I loved it. Like yourself, I’m a “ behind the scenes” music head. My thing is the majority of the public will never see this documentary and know the truth about what actually happened. And that’s sad. IMO, Clive Davis is really a villain here too. He ‘s done some amazing work with lots of artists, but I would like to see some of the behind the scenes things that he did to get them there. I just wish Milli Vanilli would have gotten an opportunity to prove themselves….Have you seen the documentary on UA-cam called THE BOY BAND CON? It’s good as well. It talks about how N’Sync was goouped into signing their contracts, along with a few other acts. Many of these groups were built on Ponzi schemes. It was very, very interesting.
He sure did ruined his life I feel sorry for Rob I really do frank farian never cared for him Rob I mean if he discovered Rob’s body he should’ve called 911 or his sister anything! But he didn’t do that! I think he’s responsible for Rob’s death and he has the nerve of showing up to Rob’s funeral and sending flowers oh hell no!
Ladies And Gentleman…. THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF “Girl You Know Its True” BEFORE MILLI VANILLI MADE IT A INTERNATIONAL WORLDWIDE SMASH ! B-MORE STAND UP !!!!! The Baltimore group was called Numarx which featured the man MOSTLY responsible for the track songwriter/musician Bill Pettaway would later go on to work with Freestyle Pop group Sweet Sensation for their song “Bring It Back” (Which Features My Iconic “Auntie” Audrey Wheeler-Downing on backing vocals) but his greatest success BESIDES writing “Girl You Know Its True” is his extensive work with Missy Elliot & Timberland playing the classic guitar trademark on their classics like “Beep Me 911”, Ginuwine’s “So Anxious” and his biggest success of Justin Timberlake’s most iconic tracks “SexyBack” & “Cry Me A River” Bill also did the drum programming for the song “Good Life” which was the first single recorded by The Braxton Sisters BEFORE big sister Toni would go on to become one of the BIGGEST most influential R&B/Pop singers in history with her sisters following becoming game changers in Reality TV and the pure irony, The Braxton sisters were also vocal coached and mentored by the legendary Baltimote R&B/Funk band Starpoint known for their classic “Object Of My Desire” (Ernesto Phillips and Renee Diggs RIP😢)…The band also featured 2nd bassist Ky F Adeyemo who is also the co-writer of “Girl You Know Its True” and Numarx also featured Kevin Liles who would later go on to become one of the greatest music biz executive/A&R’s in the music biz responsible for the careers of Trey Songz, Megan The Stallion, Jay-Z, Kanye West and Mary J Blige These are the stories and facts about sooooo many musicians and singers who most of you may NOT know but played a very huge role in some of the greatest songs of all-time that some of you know and love To Bill Pettaway: WE SALUTE AND HONOR YOU AND NUMARX FOR ALL OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS YOU MADE TO SOME OF THE GREATEST R&B/POP AND HIP-HOP SONGS IN HISTORY School’s In…CLASS IS IN SESSION #MilliVanilli #Numarx #GirlYouKnowItsTrue #Planet12 #Planet12Law #Baltimore
@23:00 i thought the exact thing... The camera man was shady, LOL😅😅😅😅 he kept that camera on Ozzy for about a minute and they did NOT like the milli Vanilli performance.
They stated that Frank didn't want to be interviewed, and I'm sure there're legal issues involved avoiding "defamation" claims which is why they didn't focus much on his background
Their story iepisode. Just like C+Music Factory did to Martha Wash! The record label and Frank should've been held responsible. It was Frank's idea. You can still download their songs under their name. I loved "Blame it on the rain" I was very small when the scandal broke so I didn't know why they fell off until. The Behind The Music epidsode.
With all the auto tuning, lip syncing and no singing performers these days, it makes Milli Vanilli look like child’s play looking back today.
Apparently Frank had the blueprint/ sauce by which producers and artists use without shame today.
😩😩😫😭😭
100% agree! BTW... just wanted to add this about the group Boney M. Although "Daddy Cool" was very popular in the dance music scene in the US, it was not their biggest hit in America. That honor belongs to their version of the Jamaican song, "Rivers of Babylon" which became a huge international mega-hit for them. The original was by the Rastafarian group, the Melodians. They also had another American hit with "Brown Girl in the Ring." 👍🏽 👍🏽 👍🏽
The crazy thing was they weren't even the first to fake their performances and definitely weren't the last.
@@helloxonsfanI’m 49 now. When I was child, Boney M was one of the groups that my dad would play quite often! I very much remember “Brown Girl In The Rain” and “Rasputin”. There was also a Christmas song which is not coming to mind right now. Anyway, I came to make this comment because of the 90s. In the 90s, I was in my 20s…my clubbing age! Rasputin was huge in the clubs here in Toronto, Ontario.
Ahhh, those were the days where, other than Milli Vanilli, I didn’t know how far the lip-syncing was!
When Fab said, he used to think that when he heard people laughing when he would be in public, he thought they were laughing at him, I wanted to cry.
I really enjoyed the documentary.
Yea now that had to be a draining experience.
That is anxiety and paranoia at its worse. Hearing people laughing in public and thinking they are laughing about you. Imagine having your mind playing tricks on you and battling a drug and alcohol addiction.
I throughly enjoyed the documentary. It made me cry just thinking about their story and how they were literally taken advantage of and painted as villains. The media tore them apart. Plus the racism and xenophobia they had to face as well. And knowing Rob faced so much pain and met his demise 😢 and I’m happy Fab has healed and has a great life now just wish rob could have healed and lived his life too❤ overall great watch
Agreed. Thoroughly enjoyed the documentary as well.
I teared up too. So painful to watch.
Yes Rob’s story to me is very sad. It doesn’t seem like he had a lot of people in his corner. Especially towards the end. I also think if someone has never dealt with a lot of scrutiny it can hit like a wall when it’s coming from the masses.
I’m so glad the documentary focused on the racism and xenophobia the group suffered. Also, Milli Vanilli is one of many dance groups that had attractive models lip syncing to the voices of other singers.
I agree too! Love you on your comment
I don't understand, if most people in the industry already knew that Rob & Fab weren't the ones singing on the records and didn't want them to win the Grammy, then why did they vote for them to win. Because the Grammy's are voted on by people in the industry, make it make sense
💰
Money
It’s not that most people in the entire industry knew but people who worked with Milli Vanilli directly such as the people at their record label who definitely knew
The manager submitted the Grammy nomination without telling the label lol
I broke down in tears when Fab sang blame it on the rain, and I was even born when they were making success 😢😢
I'm a 80's kid, so I definitely was into Milli Vanilli, I was captivated by their looks (especially Fab) & style, I was in love with the whole package, when I found out they weren't singing, I was too young to grasp why people were upset by it, I was like, who cares, I still like them ..lol, but as I became an adult & begin to understand the whole story, I felt bad for them, & never understood why people were only mad at them & not the actual record company & Frank, but anyway, I still love them til this day & still play their records, yea they're not the original singers but they'll always be Milli Vanilli to me💖
I didn’t pay for any tickets but went to a concert with someone that won tickets from a radio give-away! I agree the concert was full of energy!!! When I found out of the scandal, I couldn’t believe it because they looked like they were really singing!!
It was their look and performance on stage that sold the tix. I think we woulda been fine knowing they were lip syncing. Makes me sad how they were treated
In hindsight, they deserved a Grammy for performance value, if not vocals. The real singers were compensated.
Calvin, the way you storytell is always a treat. Like I can literally hear Frank Farian and the group sounding like that in real life. 🤣
I was in high school when Milli vanilli was popular and we went crazy over their look and dance moves! Lip syncing wouldn’t have mattered because it was the package we liked of those two
Exactly!!! They were still cutie pies and had appeal.
I just finished watching this! Damn! I thought their Behind the Music was emotional enough, but this took it to a new level! The fact that they were thrown under the bus that hard and ultimately cost Rob his life, I could never do this business. But watching Fab overcome it, that's a story right there and a proud one! I don't know what Frank is doing now, but if karma hasn't come to him yet, it will. I still love the MV album! Blame It On the Rain is my favorite! They're still icons! As well as the voices behind.
He died in January of this year
Never stopped listening to their music, glad it is going thru a revival. People around them made millions then scapegoated them
Couldn’t understand the backlash towards them. They were caught into the matrix that others created. The people machine behind them was able to walk away unscathed.
I absolutely loved this documentary. I watched the Behind the Music episode all the time as a kid. Frank was let off too easy, and still to this day he's doing nothing but getting paid for ruining people's lives. Regarding some of the folks at Arista, they were lying because why would Clive give that guy Sandy an angry phone call after he found out that they would be nominated for a Grammy?
I watched the documentary and this story was tragic. Two talented, young men with a dream met a snake (Frank). He used, abused and made millions off of them then thru them under the bus. Both men barely spoke English, signed a contract written in German Fab wasn't fluent in German without legal representation or an agent. Then after signing the contract Frank told them they wouldn't be allowed to sing plus they didn't know it was a contract for three albums. It cost a precious life Rob and for both of them what their lives might have been. Yet Frank, Clive Davis and Arista records were not blamed?
I always loved Blame it on the Rain and I’m gonna Miss you. It puts me in my Terrence Trent D’arby mood. I always felt bad for them and remember them on Arsenio Hall making a comeback and even Arsenio saying that they sounded great and could really sing. I just think they were done so sad because C&C Music Factory was out at that time doing the same thing and later down the line it became acceptable (Jlo).
Martha Wash wasn't having it. She sued and won.
@@joshuamcdowell9745Sued Black Box also
Yeap
I liked Milli Vanilli back in the day and I never once believed they were singing and I didn’t care.
Excellent review! I'm especially impressed by how much additional research you've done. I've been a Milli Vanilli fan since 1989 and I've done extensive research on their story as well. Frank Farian didn't get Numarx's permission to rerecord "Girl You Know It's True" so they eventually sued him. Something that needs to be pointed out is the concept of models lip-syncing to someone else's vocals had been done many times before in Europe. For some reason, it was acceptible over there so, Milli Vanilli really should have remained a European act only and, never set foot in America.
Clive Davis absolutely knew they weren't singing and actually told Farian when it was time to record the next album, "Whatever you do, don't change the sound." He was referring to the vocals because, of course, if they really sing this time, the vocals wouldn't match the vocals from the previous album.
I didn’t realize how much of an “open secret” it was / is in Hollywood that there would be “groups” of “singers” but only ONE person would actually be doing the [majority] of the “singing.” Case in point, The Pussycat Dolls. Nicole was the lead and sang damn near everything else and one of the others (Melody, I believe) would occasionally chime in with an “oohhh” or an “ahhh.” Really defeated the purpose of a “group” when the rest would just silently mime whatever Nicole recorded 🥴 Milli Vanilli essentially being just THAT several decades before just lets me know much of the [singing / music] industry is a lot of smoke & mirrors. In fact, Mathew Knowles even inadvertently told on himself after firing Latoya & Latavia and would rely on Beyoncé & Kelly to “do all the singing” when Michelle and the other one were brought in as replacements.
Other instances of non-singers that went far in their “singing” careers in spite of not singing the majority of her songs is J-Lo. 🐸☕️ essentially, she’s an equivalent to Milli Vanilli, but as a “solo artist.”
I used to produce records back in the day and many people would be surprised how many "legendary groups" did this. This is one reason I feel we do not have groups like we used to anymore, many of the leads probably did not want to carry what they felt was dead weight. Many of the non singing members of these groups were only in them because they were phenomenal dancers and/ or had the right look.
If you watch live performances of many r&b groups from the 70s and 80s on UA-cam you can hear a major difference on the background vocals from how they sounded on record. Shows like SoulTrain and American Bandstand over 90 percent of the time had lip-synched performances, so the public did not notice it as much then. Professional background singers (non-group members) made the background vocals for many groups come to life.
If you look at some album credits they will say things such as, additional background vocals by or if background vocals arranged by multiple people, that is a translation for the background vocals were done by the lead singer and these specific non group members!!
@@NovemberSon1TLC is one of those groups. A background singer was carrying a lot their harmonies on their records but I forgot her name
@@AngeBiampandou Debra Killings is her name.
I now follow Fab on YT. He seems like a very sweet person. I was a huge Milli Vanilli fan and saw them twice in concert. So sad the whole thing. RIP Rob 😢
Loved the documentary.
Btw is it me or doesn’t Fab look like a young Michael Jackson really bad. The eyes, his facial expressions and wide mouth especially. I went down the rabbit hole over the weekend too. I find Frank Farian was almost like a slave master, the shit was so sad but I’m glad Fab made it out of that though, God bless him…
Fab was doing MJ performances in Germany with Rob back in the day before Milli Vanilli as Rob and Fab.
Great job Calvin as I do remember this whole period. So sad Rob ended up deceased and later with us finding out that Fab could actually "talk and sing"--- thanks for your review of this entire story...
I remember they were reduced to doing a chewing gum commercial where they were supposed to be singing, and the record skipped. It was supposed to be comedic, it wasn't.
There were also on Super Mario Bros. 3 cartoon and guest starred on an episode called Kootie Pie Rocks on October 27, 1990; three weeks before the scandal dropped.
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed this doc. It was both nostalgic and terribly sad. Rob not getting adopted till age 4? you cant tell me that wasn't traumatic..drinking out of the toilet to get attention let alone being a black child in 1960s Germany. This doc really stuck with me the heaviness ..I wish they had just autotuned like a lot of pop stars at the time. Im comforted by Fabrice finding love and having a family he seems like a sweet sensitive man. Great review of a great doc❤ Thank you!😊
Rob's introduction into this cold world was tragic. The fame he got gave him some comfort but once that went there was nothing for him to believe in.
I lived through this whole thing and the scandal was humongous! I always bad for them.
Very true… It was sad, they were a laughing stock, Fab is a strong man mentally.
Hi Calvin, Rob & Fab weren't the only casualties a close friend of mine who was a band member suffered addiction & depression as well.
Mikky Byron the drummer right ? He was a cutie.
Mikky Byron sadly ended his life in 2004😢
YES!! Traxploitation's Mime and Punishment video is THE best! And just to say, it's not "them"...Traxploitation is one amazing guy, who is an incredible creator and researcher, doing everything on his own: Wayne "Lotek" Bennett.
Thanks for the insight!
This was the first doc I've seen of Milli Vanilli, where I was 100 percent on their side no chaser. It did a great job humanizing THEM, instead of focusing just on their career trajectory. They were completely preyed on by this barn-house owl- looking axx MF. ugh so infuriating
Thank you for this. I loved them even after all of the scandal. I don’t think they should have taken 100% of the blame as the did. That dude Frank is a special kinda predator! I still have the original Milli Vanilli CD I got through my Columbia House subscription. I play it on occasion.
The documentary is a must see! I read something about the album they did with the weasel Frank that in order for Rob to get into rehab (paid by Frank) he needed to get both Rob and Fab back in the studio. That was the deal otherwise Rob wouldn’t get the help he needed pretty sad. I didn’t care if they lip synced they were awesome and still are. My favorite song was blame it on the rain I always pictured Rob performing it cause it was his song ❤❤❤❤
Love your comment ❤❤❤❤❤❤💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
OMG, so glad you're doing this review! Listening now... This doc was tragic, and I was troubled after watching it.
Me too I’m so happy someone is reviewing it!
Yea it does end on a pretty somber note.
Love your pot cast Calvin. I loved Girl you know it true, and blame it on the rain. It I was very hurt when Milly Vanilly was canceled. My heart went out to them. Blessings Fab, RIHeaven Rob!
Yes, it was a really good watch (I didn't realize i needed to see). Something every fan of any type of music should watch. Yes, they did lip sync and that alone should not be rewarded with a Grammy, etc. But it shows even more how the industry treats artists and takes advantage of young artists only to back them further into a corne where they have no choice. RIP Rob. So happy for Fab for finding happiness and moving forward after the world continued to kick them while they were down.
Thanks for telling us about Mime and Punishment. Definitely going to watch because I wanted to know more- rabbit hole.
OMG, IT WAS GREAT!
Fab has won in the end.
I am sending him love and good wishes for pouring his heart out for the truth.
He has a great voice and I want to hear more.
It is so sad that Rob didn't have the life tools to survive. I understand, suicide runs in my family, and I fight the battle. What is sad is that my daughter has depression and anxiety badly. She got the gene. My son has some depression also, but he has always been able to talk to me about it and get help.
There was no way that Fab could have helped him because he was caught up in the circle of evil that was happening to them. He loved him and wanted to.
This is Frank and 'Milli's' fault. They started this bulls#!+.
I wish Rob had a good set of friends who knew how to help him.
May Fab, his beautiful partner, and 4 beautiful children be truly blessed.
This was excellent, i still love me some MV. Matter a fact i was looking for the ukulele cords for Girl you know its true. Thanls for the commentary.
The producer Frank should have went to jail for using people. The media was so mean to Rob, and Fab. Why wasn't the media mean to Frank, and other people involved? The media are so mean to our people. Rob, and Fab went through alot of things in their life. Moral of the story please read contracts, and tell the truth. They should have never worked with Frank again. I liked Milli Vanilli growing up, and still do. Thank God Fab is ok! So sad about Rob! Calvin you did a excellent review of the Milli Vanilli documentary. God bless you! Rest in peace Rob! 🙏💜
Frank exploited everyone he came in contact with.
thanks Calvin! I was struck by how much these artists gave up after they signed, it seemed as if they had from that point no say in their own future. 💯
I love hearing you totally nerd out when it comes to music- I have learned a lot from this channel! Please don't ever stop Calvin
I love your in the music episodes! They're so informative you really paint a full picture of the World during that time period. I'm definitely going to catch the documentary now. Their stories are definitely important and I hope Rob is at peace🙏🏾
This was a great breakdown of a very good documentary that I didn't know about before.
Nobody likes being lied too or bamboozled, however that music still goes hard.
They were definitely left as the scapegoats for others and dehumanized in the process.
And Rob lost his life over some bs.
I still have my childhood Milli Vanilli cassette in storage. Excellent documentary.
I’m giving away my age but I remember when they were live and the track started skipping & they were exposed
Didn't Arista JUST serve as an American distribution company for them? That's how I remember it anyway. They were already a ready-made thing by the time they came to Arista & The States, so I can see how MV's secret went over Arista execs heads. I mean the whole world didn't 'catch' the fact that these guys are from another country, especially hearing them speak, YET sounding like they sounded on record SO...LOL!
In that realm it would make sense that they were out of the know. But the doc talks about Arista making them go and record new songs because the material on “All or Nothing” wasn’t strong enough to push in the US. Most of the Frank produced songs were scrapped for the Girl You Know its true release. It seems like they were more involved than just being distributors.
*Great review. I was thoroughly captivated...!!! BTW... just a teeny-tiny correction regarding the group Boney M. Although "Daddy Cool" was very popular in the dance music scene in the US, it was not their biggest hit in America. That honor belongs to their version of the Jamaican song, "Rivers of Babylon" which became a huge international mega-hit for them. The original was by the Rastafarian group, the Melodians. They also had another American hit with "Brown Girl in the Ring."* 👍🏽 👍🏽 👍🏽
Ah gotcha! Thanks for that tidbit.
🎉 Congrats to 61k 🎉🎉💙💙
Thank you ✊🏾✊🏾💙💙
I was 11 when shit hit the fan and even back then never understood why Frank Farian was let off so easy. He was the one behind this whole thing, it's not like Fab and Rob tricked him. The way he is always smiling (I think to this day) talking about this mess is disgusting, considering these two young men were put through hell and he played a huge part in that.
Love your review and conversation of this. Loved the documentary! I was into MV back in the day. Still love them! Subscribed.
All I know is that the Milli Vanilli album is one of the top five pop albums I have ever heard. I have heard two songs from their unreleased second album, and they also sounded like number one hits. Just wonderful, perfect pop.
Its sad cause so many ppl were villianizing them saying they can't sing. Meanwhile they wanted to sing their own songs but was robbed of that. Same for the voices behind it though they weren't villianized they were tricked into being a part of something they didn't want to be a part of.
Oh, I was waiting for this!!!
I liked their music 😊
It pissed me off that those devils were acting like they didn't create that monster.
And it's sad that black artist are so easily thrown to the waist side.
My heart goes out to those young dreamers.
Same thing C+C music factory did to Martha Wash. But just the opposite.
Thanx for your review, I wouldn't have watched it cuz I thought I knew the full story already.
At the core of the story its two brothers from Germany trying to change and better their lives. I don't blame them for nothing at all.
Please I beg you to do more conversations about artist and music because with your opinions even if you don’t agree your thoughts are well thought out and have facts behind them and I really enjoy your videos. It’s rare on UA-cam
They’re coming 😎
Documentary is great. Also live videos from Fab are really good.
both men were incredibly handsome. 😍 js 🤷♀️
It’s interesting how the history changes over time, I thought it was an immediate outrage when the track skipped too…
I feel like we’re seeing that happen today I see a lot of ppl acting like Jada Pinkett is lying about how close her & pac was when I remember they were very close but this new generation doesn’t know that or really understand
I loved it. I’m so glad you mentioned the other album they were working on with frank in the late 90s. It was called “back and in attack”. However it fell through. I was confused because it never was mentioned in the paramount documentary
Excellent work, great narration
I watched it when it dropped and I still wanted to hear your commentary :) Great Job. For those that are not interested in watching it, this was a very good recap to where they would not have to.
You need to see the movie 'Girl you know it's true'
I could listen to you talk anything music related for hours!! Also when is the Mariah episode dropping?
Blame on the rain is my fav, even though I was too young. I love a music story. Where can I stream mime and punishment doc?
This was really good but brother I fell out when you mocked Frank telling them what it was regarding the music and you said y’all got a cute little yeee yannn voice but…..quoting Pam from Martin I hollered for at least thirty minutes 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Did you see Fab's interview with VladTV? Fab said he had nothing to do with Frank after the blow up.
So nice how you break it down. I had a chance to meet Bobby who was in Boney M. before he passed. The concept Frank had way before along with Bobby. who was from Holland. That was Frank's voice on the parts Bobby was miming.Rob and Fab used to get their hair done by one of the Afo shops in Germany whre I used to go too. But, these us didn't deserve all the backlash. They did promote the record. I just wish someone didn't lose his life through all this industry madness.
This was a great review of both!
I had MilliVanilli music playing everywhere I was...from Germany to the US.
Rob and Fab ~ MilliVanilli💙💙
Excellent review man. I enjoyed watching this.
I'm listening to you and thinking about *BTS*. Seven Korean men with very thick accents, only one of them can speak English, but they still managed to memorize the lyrics and sing in a "universally" recognized accent.
If given the chance to sing and really practice, Milli would have done well.
But their speaking accents would still be pretty thick.
@@rnbsteenstar people would get used to it. No one questions Abba or Ladysmith Black Mambazo about their accents. As long as the music is enjoyable, which theirs was.
I loved Milli Villi songs ..Girl, imma miss you, Blame it on the rain..I remember well ❤
Wonderful and entertaining!
And so were Fab and Rob as MV! Exhilarating, uplifting energy...they were great performing together.
By the way, I feel their high energy came mostly from within....❤
Man, I feel really bad and guilty about how I used to laugh at all the jokes and send up of Milli Vanilli over the years, and to learn what had really transpired in their past. Makes you realise how a decision on any given day can send one’s life rollercoasting in an unstoppable journey and wrong direction, and at such a relatively young age. Very sad to hear what was going on in the background of Milli Vanilli. I hope I can get to watch this documentary somewhere in the U.K, and I hope they soon release their bio movie. This was great listening 🙏🏾
Another note about Frank Farian's fascination with race and image and him replacing the white girls from the tapes with black backround singers for the public. Frank originally tried to be a singer himself and he even had some success in Germany in a genre called "Schlager". But he didn't really like Schlager music because it's considdered to be uncool and mostly popular with old people. He had a "black voice" and preferred to make rock music or disco or something cool and funky. However, Frank believed that he could never be star because fans would never accept an average looking white guy from Germany as the next disco king. He felt that he lacked the "total package" to be a star. That's why he created Boney M. and had Bobby Farrell put on a crazy dance performance that would get everybody's attention while his own uncharismatic self would do the vocals that Farell would lipsync to. Even when you look at Farian's bands after the Milli Vanilli scandal like La Bouche or No Mercy, it were always attractive people portraying a certain image of youth and coolness. Sending out an average looking guy like Phil Collins in a flannell shirt and only his own voice and the piano to convince the fans was not the way he operated.
8:00 they walked so tik tok could run
Fab can sing!
About the German TV show where they had Rob & Fab, the Real Milli Vanilli and Frank Farian on. The show was called "Menschen 90" meaning something like "people of 1990" and was about people who made big news in 1990. As you said Rob and Fab performed and Frank Farian was there as well. They were all kinda friendly with each other and tried not break the peace. After their performance the host said that to him Rob and Fab can sing pretty well and asked Frank what he thinks about their performance. Frank then said he would never say that they can't sing at all but that they sing "like you and me" and not on the level of real pros and the singers that he usually works with. Oh, and I loved "Blame it on the rain". That was the song of me and my very first girlfriend.
So glad you shared this! I was digging through the internet trying to find the full episode.
Great breakdown!
Look at today's standards, anything goes and not many care.
The second Fab said Frank said to Rob, "Don't f##k with me, don't ever f##k with me.", I soon realized Rob n Fab were screwed from the get go.
This showed much more than BEHIND THE MUSIC ever did.
I also saw like years back and they even mention it on Wikipedia that Rob and Fab actually were talking with Frank to do another album shortly before Rob passed.
Folks who ain’t sang their songs to my recollection: Paula Abdul, J Lo, C+C music factory , so many others but can’t quite remember
The Numarx are from Baltimore
Although people always poke fun at Milli Vanilli, low key I always wanted to know what happened
Loved your commentary on this documentary Calvin. I was very sadden by the documentary, but I loved it. Like yourself, I’m a “ behind the scenes” music head. My thing is the majority of the public will never see this documentary and know the truth about what actually happened. And that’s sad. IMO, Clive Davis is really a villain here too. He ‘s done some amazing work with lots of artists, but I would like to see some of the behind the scenes things that he did to get them there. I just wish Milli Vanilli would have gotten an opportunity to prove themselves….Have you seen the documentary on UA-cam called THE BOY BAND CON? It’s good as well. It talks about how N’Sync was goouped into signing their contracts, along with a few other acts. Many of these groups were built on Ponzi schemes. It was very, very interesting.
The doc was amazing! Very enlightening
Aww I'm so glad Fab found love. His wife and babies so beautiful. Clive and Frank ain't shit. How Arista can lie and say they didn't know. Yeah right.
Frank Farian is a whole devil. The nerve of him showing up to Rob's funeral and sending flowers. He ruined his life and drove him to the casket.
He sure did ruined his life I feel sorry for Rob I really do frank farian never cared for him Rob I mean if he discovered Rob’s body he should’ve called 911 or his sister anything! But he didn’t do that! I think he’s responsible for Rob’s death and he has the nerve of showing up to Rob’s funeral and sending flowers oh hell no!
Rob's whole story is Greek pathos.
Ladies And Gentleman….
THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF “Girl You Know Its True”
BEFORE MILLI VANILLI MADE IT A INTERNATIONAL WORLDWIDE SMASH !
B-MORE STAND UP !!!!!
The Baltimore group was called Numarx which featured the man MOSTLY responsible for the track songwriter/musician Bill Pettaway would later go on to work with Freestyle Pop group Sweet Sensation for their song “Bring It Back” (Which Features My Iconic “Auntie” Audrey Wheeler-Downing on backing vocals) but his greatest success BESIDES writing “Girl You Know Its True” is his extensive work with Missy Elliot & Timberland playing the classic guitar trademark on their classics like “Beep Me 911”, Ginuwine’s “So Anxious” and his biggest success of Justin Timberlake’s most iconic tracks “SexyBack” & “Cry Me A River”
Bill also did the drum programming for the song “Good Life” which was the first single recorded by The Braxton Sisters BEFORE big sister Toni would go on to become one of the BIGGEST most influential R&B/Pop singers in history with her sisters following becoming game changers in Reality TV and the pure irony, The Braxton sisters were also vocal coached and mentored by the legendary Baltimote R&B/Funk band Starpoint known for their classic “Object Of My Desire” (Ernesto Phillips and Renee Diggs RIP😢)…The band also featured 2nd bassist Ky F Adeyemo who is also the co-writer of “Girl You Know Its True”
and Numarx also featured Kevin Liles who would later go on to become one of the greatest music biz executive/A&R’s in the music biz responsible for the careers of Trey Songz, Megan The Stallion, Jay-Z, Kanye West and Mary J Blige
These are the stories and facts about sooooo many musicians and singers who most of you may NOT know but played a very huge role in some of the greatest songs of all-time that some of you know and love
To Bill Pettaway: WE SALUTE AND HONOR YOU AND NUMARX FOR ALL OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS YOU MADE TO SOME OF THE GREATEST R&B/POP AND HIP-HOP SONGS IN HISTORY
School’s In…CLASS IS IN SESSION
#MilliVanilli #Numarx #GirlYouKnowItsTrue
#Planet12 #Planet12Law #Baltimore
@23:00 i thought the exact thing... The camera man was shady, LOL😅😅😅😅 he kept that camera on Ozzy for about a minute and they did NOT like the milli Vanilli performance.
And they actually could have sung the music themselves with some coaching. At the end Fab sung by himself with no problem
I once saw a video of him singing and I was surprised he can really sing. All the backlash made it seem like they couldn't sing at all.
Ozzy knew something 🤔
Great video and audio. What mic are you using?
It’s a Neumann mic feeding through protools while I record.
I liked Blame It On The Rain. My friend liked Girl, I'm Gonna Miss You. I was about 11 or 12 around the time of the shenanigans!
I was hoping you would talk about this. It’s was good
They stated that Frank didn't want to be interviewed, and I'm sure there're legal issues involved avoiding "defamation" claims which is why they didn't focus much on his background
The movis come out next month. It's call Girl You Know It's True
Their story iepisode. Just like C+Music Factory did to Martha Wash! The record label and Frank should've been held responsible. It was Frank's idea. You can still download their songs under their name. I loved "Blame it on the rain" I was very small when the scandal broke so I didn't know why they fell off until. The Behind The Music epidsode.
Absolutely! Soul to Soul should have gotten that Gtammy.!
I don't need to watch the documentary you explain everything wonderful 👍