He was born and raised on the island of Aruba in the Lesser Antilles, where he lived until age 15. After finishing school he worked as a sailor for 2 years, travelling across the oceans before settling in Norway. From Norway, he went to the Netherlands, where he got some work as a DJ in the Netherlands before getting better opportunities in Germany. In Germany, he worked mostly as a DJ until producer Frank Farian spotted him for his new Boney M. group. He became the sole male singer in the group.

He also appeared as a dancer in late 2005 in the Roger Sanchez video clip of Turn on the Music.

Farrell lived in Amsterdam, in the neighbourhood of Gaasperdam in Amsterdam Zuidoost.

He died on the morning of December 30, 2010, in a hotel in Saint Petersburg. His agent John Seine said Farrell was complaining of breathing problems after performing with his band the evening before. The cause of death is still unknown.[4][5] Farrell's body was reportedly discovered by hotel staff after he failed to respond to a wake-up call.