MILLI VANILLI on PARAMOUNT+. Luke Korem is the director and he goes deep behind the scenes. The main story is the rise and fall of two male dancers named Rob Pilatus and Fab Morvan (Rob & Fab). The director claims that it took him one year to get Fab to interview for this documentary. Rob died from an accidental drug overdose back in 1998.
Both young men signed a music contract with a successful producer named Frank Farian (1988). They were told that neither were allowed to sing on the song, "Girl you know it's true." They only had to lip sync and dance to the R&B tune. It became a smash hit in Germany and around the world. That includes the United States. Arista records in America produced a new album surrounding that song. It spawned 3 more number #1 hits and sold 7 million copies.
The music industry found out that Rob & Fab never sung a note on the album. As the millions of dollars which poured in for Arista and Frank. No one said a "single" word. That is until after the 1990 Grammy Awards when Milli Vanilli won for Best New Artist.
Rob & Fab wanted to sing on the next album they were already contracted to do. Arista executives laughed and Frank said "no." He had already produced the album with other singers and rap artists. Rob & Fab forced Frank to hold a press conference where he said they never sung a note on the debut album.
Rob & Fab took the "hit" as Arista and Frank ran with the money. The duo lost everything in 24 hours and became a "Joke" in the music industry. What is interesting is that Frank did this before with the Disco group "Boney M" in the 1970's. The lead singer did a lip sync on every top hit. After Rob & Fab fell from the spotlight. Frank hired a new group/duo on that second album. They were called, "The Real Milli Vanilli." It was all so that he could make more money. This fake idea of great music fronted by beautiful "lip sync" performers.
Fab survived the scandal who stuck with it. He has become a very good singer. Rob couldn't handle the fall from the spotlight into obscurity. He died in a German motel at age 32. Frank Farian actually showed up at Rob's funeral. Did he really care even when he took all the money? He didn't want to be interviewed for this documentary.
The real singers on both those albums never got their recognition either. Except for the album credits. The Grammy Award Milli Vanilli won was returned. None of the artists nominated in that category were awarded that Grammy. It sits in the vault at the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
If you get a chance. Check this out.
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