Robin Gibb – 1949-2012
Written by admin on May 20, 2012 – 11:41 pm -Robin Gibb sadly died today after an 18-month battle with cancer. He was 62.
The family of the Bee Gees singer issued the following statement:
“The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery.” |
Robin Hugh Gibb was born on the Isle of Man on December 22, 1949, and moved to Manchester at an early age, where he formed the singing trio with his brothers that a decade later would become world famous. The trio flourished following the family’s move to Brisbane, Australia, performing under names such as the Rattlesnakes, and Wee Johnny Hayes & the Bluecats, before being named the Bee Gees by Radio DJ Bill Gates. The group became a popular fixture on Australian television and had a number of minor hits on the Australian pop charts in this period.
Bee Gees – “Little Band Of Gold”
The Bee Gees really hit the big time on their return to the UK in 1967 when they signed a management contract with Robert Stigwood and released a string of hit singles, beginning with “New York Mining Disaster 1941” and including the UK number one “Massachusetts,” on which Robin sang lead.
Bee Gees – “Massachusetts”
As a member of the Bee Gees, Robin Gibb went on to sell more than 200 million records with his brothers Barry and Maurice, including classics such as “Jive Talkin’,” “I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Stayin’ Alive” and “Night Fever.” The latter three appeared on the Grammy-winning soundtrack of the movie “Saturday Night Fever,” which became one of the best selling albums of all time. This Album of the Year Grammy was one of nine Grammys won by the group between 1978 and 2004, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000 and the Legend Award in 2003.
Bee Gees – “How Deep Is Your Love”
Gibb also had early solo success when “Saved by the Bell” hit number two on the UK singles chart during a brief period where he was estranged from the Bee Gees. There were also three solo albums in the 1980s which sold well in Europe – “How Old Are You?,” “Secret Agent,” and “Walls Have Eyes.” After an 18-year gap, he released the solo album “Magnet” in 2003, around the time that his brother Maurice died, and followed this up with “Robin Gibb – My Favourite Carols” in 2006, which featured the new composition “Mother of Love.” His last success on the singles chart was the Comic Relief collaboration with Rob Brydon, Tom Jones and Ruth Jones on the Bee Gees-penned “Islands In The Stream,” which hit number one in the UK in 2009.
In recent months, Gibb was working on the classical piece “The Titanic Requiem” with his son Robin-John (know as RJ). “The Titanic Requiem” CD was released in March and the piece was performed at Central Hall, Westminster, London, last month. Unfortunately, Gibb was not well enough to attend.
Robin Gibb’s talents were recognised with inductions into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2002, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the New Year Honours.
Barry Gibb is now the only surviving member of the Bee Gees. Robin’s twin, Maurice, died of a heart attack in 2003 following intestinal surgery.
Besides Barry, Robin is survived by his wife, Dwina; sons, RJ and Spencer; daughters, Melissa and Snow Robin; sister, Lesley Evans; and mother, Barbara.
Tags: Bee Gees Massachusetts, How Deep Is Your Love, Robin Gibb, Robin Gibb death, Robin Gibb obituary, The Bee Gees
Posted in Obituaries |