Bee Gees
The Gibb brothers were born on the Isle of Man in the late 1940s. They moved to Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, England, in 1955. In that year, they formed a skiffle and rock-and-roll group called the Rattlesnakes. Barry played guitar and sang while Robin and Maurice handled vocals. Friends Paul Frost and Kenny Horrocks joined them on drums and tea-chest bass respectively. By December 1957, the boys began singing in harmony together. A story from their early days describes how they ran to a local Gaumont cinema to lip-sync to a record. The fragile shellac 78-RPM record broke during transport. They had to sing live instead but received such a positive response from the audience that they decided to pursue a singing career. In May 1958, the Rattlesnakes disbanded when Frost and Horrocks left. The three brothers then formed Wee Johnny Hayes and the Blue Cats with Barry as Johnny Hayes.
In August 1958, the Gibb family emigrated to Australia and settled in Redcliffe, Queensland. Their infant brother Andy was born there in March 1958. The young brothers performed at speedway events to earn pocket money. Speedway promoter Bill Goode introduced them to Brisbane radio presenter jockey Bill Gates. Gates named the group the BGs after his initials, Goode's initials, and Barry Gibb's initials. This name later changed to Bee Gees. During the next few years, they worked regularly at resorts along the Queensland coast. Barry sparked the interest of Australian star Col Joye who helped the brothers get a recording deal in 1963. They signed with Festival Records subsidiary Leedon Records under the name Bee Gees. By 1966, Festival Records was on the verge of dropping them due to perceived lack of commercial success. They met American-born songwriter Nat Kipner who negotiated their transfer to Spin Records. Through Kipner, they met engineer-producer Ossie Byrne who produced many early recordings. Byrne gave the Gibb brothers virtually unlimited access to St Clair Studio over several months in mid-1966. This enabled them to significantly improve their skills as recording artists.
Frustrated by their lack of success, the Gibbs began their return journey to England on the 4th of January 1967. Ossie Byrne traveled with them. While at sea in January 1967, the Gibbs learned that Go-Set had declared Spicks and Specks the Best Single of the Year. Before departure from Australia, Hugh Gibb sent demos to Brian Epstein who managed the Beatles. Epstein passed the tapes to Robert Stigwood who had recently joined NEMS. After an audition with Stigwood in February 1967, the Bee Gees signed a five-year contract. Polydor Records would release their records in the UK while Atco Records handled US releases. Their second British single New York Mining Disaster 1941 was issued to radio stations with a blank white label listing only the song title. Some DJs assumed this was a new single by the Beatles and started playing it heavily. The song climbed into the top 20 in both the UK and US. No such chicanery was needed for their next single To Love Somebody which reached the US Top 20. Originally written for Otis Redding, Barry sang this soulful ballad. The parent album Bee Gees 1st peaked at number 7 in the US and number 8 in the UK.
The Bee Gees agreed with Stigwood to participate in creating the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack following a successful live album. It became a turning point in their career. The cultural impact of both film and soundtrack was significant throughout the world. The band's involvement did not begin until post-production. John Travolta asserted that the Bee Gees were not even involved in the movie initially. Producer Robert Stigwood commissioned them to create songs for the film. The brothers wrote the songs virtually in a single weekend at Château d'Hérouville studio in France. Three singles from the project How Deep Is Your Love Stayin Alive and Night Fever charted high globally. They launched the most popular period of the disco era. During a nine-month period beginning Christmas season 1977, seven songs written by the brothers held the number one position on US charts for 27 of 37 consecutive weeks. This included three of their own releases plus two for brother Andy Gibb. The soundtrack broke multiple industry records becoming highest-selling album in recording history to that point. With more than 40 million copies sold it remains among music's top five best selling soundtrack albums worldwide.
By end of 1979 disco was rapidly declining in popularity. Backlash against disco put the Bee Gees American career in tailspin. Radio stations began promoting Bee Gee-Free Weekends following Steve Dahl's Disco Demolition Night. After remarkable run from 1975 to 1979 they had only one more top ten single until One reached number 7 in 1989. In 1987 the group released E.S.P which sold over 2 million copies. It was first album in six years and first for Warner Bros Records. Single You Win Again went to number 1 in numerous countries including UK. This made them first group to score UK number 1 hit in each of three decades: 1960s 1970s and 1980s. The song won Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically in 1987. Next album One featured Wish You Were Here dedicated to younger brother Andy who died in 1988. Album contained their first US Top 10 hit in decade with title track reaching number 7.
Maurice Gibb died unexpectedly on the 12th of January 2003 at age 53 from heart attack while awaiting emergency surgery. He suffered strangulated intestine requiring repair. Initially surviving brothers announced intention to carry on name Bee Gees in his memory. As time passed they decided to retire group's name leaving it representing three brothers together. Same week Maurice died Robin's solo album Magnet was released. On the 23rd of February 2003 the Bee Gees received Grammy Legend Award becoming first recipients in 21st century. Barry and Robin along with Maurice's son Adam accepted award tearfully. In late 2004 Robin embarked on solo tour of Germany Russia and Asia. On the 20th of November 2011 it was announced that Robin then aged 61 had been diagnosed with liver cancer. He became noticeably thinner in previous months and canceled several appearances due to severe abdominal pain. Robin joined British military trio Soldiers for Coming Home charity concert on the 13th of February 2012 at London Palladium. It was his final public appearance. On the 14th of April 2012 he contracted pneumonia in Chelsea hospital and entered coma. Although he came out of coma on the 20th of April condition deteriorated rapidly. He died on the 20th of May 2012 of liver and kidney failure.
The Bee Gees have sold estimated 120 million to 250 million records worldwide placing them among best-selling music artists of all time. They are most successful trio in history of contemporary music. Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Hall citation stated only Elvis Presley Beatles Michael Jackson Garth Brooks and Paul McCartney have outsold the Bee Gees. With nine number one hits on Billboard Hot 100 they rank third-most successful band behind Beatles and Supremes. At least 2,500 artists have recorded their songs. Fellowships include British Academy of Songwriters Composers and Authors. In 1978 Gibb brothers responsible for writing or performing nine songs in Billboard Hot 100. They placed 13 singles onto chart with 12 making Top 40. Barry Gibb became knighted by Prince Charles after being named Queen's New Year Honours List in June 2018. He received Kennedy Center Honoree status in 2023 for contributions to American culture. Group also inducted into Australian Songwriters Association Hall of Fame that same year.
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Common questions
When and where were the Gibb brothers born?
The Gibb brothers were born on the Isle of Man in the late 1940s. They moved to Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, England, in 1955.
How did the Bee Gees get their name from Bill Gates?
Brisbane radio presenter jockey Bill Gates named the group the BGs after his initials, Goode's initials, and Barry Gibb's initials. This name later changed to Bee Gees.
What year did Maurice Gibb die and what was the cause?
Maurice Gibb died unexpectedly on the 12th of January 2003 at age 53 from heart attack while awaiting emergency surgery. He suffered strangulated intestine requiring repair.
When did Robin Gibb die and how old was he?
Robin Gibb died on the 20th of May 2012 of liver and kidney failure. He was aged 61 when he passed away.
Which album made the Bee Gees the first group to score UK number 1 hit in three decades?
The song You Win Again went to number 1 in numerous countries including UK in 1987. This made them first group to score UK number 1 hit in each of three decades: 1960s 1970s and 1980s.