Boni Boyer (Bonita Louisa Boyer)

I grew up in the house on the next street over I could hear and see her singing outside my window. Bonnie she and my brother were the same age and both musicians, playing in bands. Bonnie was like a big sister to me and to see she on stage when I was a little girl at the old moss wood park concerts inspired me to want to me an entertainer as a result I joined several bands and years later as an adult hooked up with Bonnie in L.A. where I was a radio personality, we laughed and laughed so hard hard one night i got sick. bonnie was the best, I loved her

Boni was a remarkable artist. Not only could she sing, she could play almost every instrument that is part of a modern band. I even recall her picking up a sax and feeding the sax player ideas for how to fit in the pocket. I played with her in Force One Network just a few years before her passing. As a young artist, I was amazed at how she pushed me to be the front man in a band that she could have easily fronted. She taught me band dynamics and how to have the swag necessary to lead. She was hilariously funny and we were close friends. I can remember her cooking Fried Chicken and waffles as we watched old tapes of her 2 world tours with Prince. She would point out little details that I should remember by watching. Everybody called her Boni, I called her Mama, because she was my parent on the stage. Before she passed, she consented to being my son's Godmother. I was so proud to have her.

I was her "leo baby"... lucky for us - memories last a lifetime. Never is there a road trip that I don't take "her music"... Luv Fat's (Alvin's Daughter)

I grew up with Connie Boyer, same age and Bonnie was just a little girl i ignored. She always showed me baby love and i must admit i never realized how talented she was until after her Prince era and i couldn't find a singer and someone said call Bonnie and i said i love Bonnie and i called her with out ever having heard her or knowing much about her career. She happily came to the studio because she was always the baby under her sister and she knew i really didn't know nothing. That girl sung her a** off and i went into shock. How the hell did i miss her. If i had just known earlier we could have done something. She sang about five songs for me and one day i will share them when the time is right. After she suddenly died two days after me trying to convince her that she needed to do her own record that was a trip. I then put Latoya London on her songs for release but i saved Bonnie's version. A blast can take you out fast. Paul Tillman Smith

I miss Bonnie, we dated, wrote music together and played in three different bands together. Her encouragement has motivated me musically to this day.

I met Bonnie back in 88 and helped her buy a car in Oakland back in the day. She was a class act and I was sorry to hear she passed away. RIP Boni.

Rest in Peace sister!

I miss Bonnie, She was a friend i met back in 1975, I was out of town when i got the news she passed,I think about her when i play the piano or drive down Santa ray st.- Warren

I've been jamming a Prince song called "The Line" for 3 days now and Boni is singing all over it and it made me wonder what happened to her. I'm sad to see she passed away. I know of her through Prince. the 3 albums she played on are 3 of my fave. I've seen footage of her performing and she was a joy to watch. Much love and respect to you, very very talented!!!!

I am just a Prince fan checking up on a few of his beloved past band members. Boni was an amazing vocalist and one hell of a musician. Her contribution to the SOTT and Lovesexy era was crucial. I truly believe she was a major force who helped Prince, the band and their fans to go through the transition from the Revolution era to Prince's next stage of his career. A few years ago, I was shocked and saddened to learn that she has past away. I still think of her, every time I watch or listen to that era's music. Seeing the comments left on this page, it's not surprising to learn that she was a funny person – just listen to the taping of the Lovesexy tour rehearsals and you'll get it, loud and clear. My deepest sympathy goes out to her family and friends. She will never be forgotten.

I met Boni circa:1978-79 at Starmaker Studios. She was in Rusty's Band: "Second Wind" at the time and I was in a vocal group. We all rehearsed and recoreded there along with many other bands and acts. It was that laugh that drew me to her and when we discovered we both had off-beat senses of humor we became good friends; a friendship that survived even the 80's. I left the bay-area in the early 90's for a time to return to find she had past away. I was shocked and deeply saddened. The last time I saw here she was singing in the City over on Polk st. and I sat in with her as we often did at each others gigs. We partied the rest of the night with some friends and I dropped her off at home that morning in Oakland, and with that quick laugh/word combination she said: "Be cool Rod!" and I rolled on. She was a gifted singer, a fine musician and a good friend. I will miss you "B" Good night Kid....

I'm just seeing Bonnie Boyer on the "Sign O the times" video from Prince and she's just amazing, so damn powerful... I mostly remember her for her incredible vocals on the Trojan Horse aftershow on 18th Aug 1988, the best bootleg concert of all time !

As I write this I am fighting back the tears. I met Boni in the late 70's when she was a member of a band called "TEASE" with my brothers,Duane Brown,Tony Brown & Vincent Lars. She was one of the sweetest people that I have ever met with a smile that would brighten any room! She became an instant member of our family. I will never forget watching her rehearse in my parents garage in Richmond.
Missed dearly, but never forgotten. If love could have saved you, you would have never died!
DeeDee Brown-Green

I met Bonita in 1984 or 85, at CLUB 1235 in Miami Beach, when PRINCE and SHELIA E were there performing. She was a sweetheart of a person. My deepest emotions surfaced when I learned of her death. She and I sat, and drank mojitos all night long. So getting drunk with someone,always gives a special bond that you always remember when talking about that person again. It felt rotten hearing the news, God Bless!

yesterday i was thinking about the former members of prince's band. so when i learned that boni had passed i was very sad. i told my mom and she was also very sad. boni u will be missed

Bonnie is like my beloved sister. We went to Laney College together and studied under Ed Kelley. We were always close. I remember her beginnings and I always knew that she was someone special and great. Bonnie always had a great sense of humor, and you could always get a laugh and a smile out of her. She will be forever in my heart and memory.

Ricky Duncan

Bonnie was my best friend. She taught me alot about people. She was very outgoing and had a way of making everyone feel good. Musically speaking, she was fantasic just ask anyone who ever heard her play or sing. I remember growing up she'd come just down the block and I wanted to talk about boys or something-she just wanted to play my mother's Baby Grand Piano and sing with my sisters who had a group. She's forever in my heart and as the 10 year anniversary of her death approaches I'm so glad to have found out about her Bonnie Boyer Scholarship Foundation (BBSF) which I will contribute to.

Everytime Boni came to Sacramento she would stay with me and David. She was a phenomenal vocalist and songwriter. She and David would be up all night singing, writing songs. He would be on bass or guitar and she on keys. Sometimes she would play bass. Boni was hilarious. She would have us laughing all night. After, I had my daughter, she would tell me that as song as my daughter started talking she was going to give her voice lessons. She is the only person I wanted to do that. My daughter was only three when Boni passed, but she called her Aunt Boni then, and at 13, she still calls her that. She and I discuss Boni all of the time. It is funny, me and Robin were discussing Boni last night, and today I google her and here she is. She is always here. I use to pick her up in downtown Sac, near Old Sac, at the old Amtrack Station and I could not wait to pick her up and I hated to see her leave. I love you Boni Boyer.

She was a very large black lady.

I grew up across the street from Boni in Oakland. She was a sweet girl and I am sad to learn that she is dead. She had a brother named Martywho has also passed away. RIP Boni.

My deepest sympathies to you and your family, Eleanor.

Boni Boyer was my sister!

She was the most amazing vocalist that you could ever imagine. She was a light that shown brighter than anything I've ever had the priviledge to behold. My sister sang with many artist. Sheila E., as well as Prince. She was the funniest person that you could ever imagine. I never thought to google search her on the net because she is always in my heart, my spirit, my soul. I miss her more than anything. She was amazing and her spirit lives on through me and will forever until the end of my days. Every time I see a double rainbow I am reminded of the day that we buried her at the cementary. My heart was broken and I looked up and saw a double rainbow shining across the entire sky range. Even the elements understand her beauty, Boni. My sister, I will continue to share your beauty as long as I live,
RIP

I think Curtis is absolutely correct. This Boni seems to have been a member of Prince's entourage.

I do believe the Bonnie everybody is speaking about is the one who sang "Got to Give Into Love" , not this person.

Bonita,
Didnt she sing ONE For Me, One For You?. But I could be wrong!

Did not know that you were no longer with us, Rest in Peace Ms. Boyer.

Is there 2 Bonnies? I thought this Bonnie was the one that sang "Got to give into love"

These are two different Bonnies! The disco Bonnie is still alive (or at least, she was as of 1998).

Wasn't the Bonnie Boyer who sang "Got to Give In To Love" blonde?

I, too, remember seeing that episode of the Soap Factory ( I watched it faithfully every Sat. night). Such a shame to have lost Bonnie. I have her on a 45rpm vinyl record!

I best remember Bonnie Boyer appearing on an excellent episode of "Soap Factory" in August 1979 (along with Bruni Pagan and Francie Simone). She performed "Got To Give In To Love".