Robin Gibb of Bee Gees and 'Saturday Night Fever' Fame Dies at 63
Source: CNN
The musical trio known as the Bee Gees have been a duo ever since the passing of Maurice Gibb back in 2003, and now sadly only Barry Gibb is left, as Robin Gibb, the youngest of the brotherly recording group, has passed away at 63-years old. CNN revealed a statement from Gibb's website saying he "passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery." The iconic recording artist behind world famous tunes from Saturday Night Fever and Staying Alive, career-defining films for John Travolta, died in England this morning, coming just after the passing of Donna Summer a few days ago. More below!
Gibb had apparently been in a coma after he battled pneumonia earlier this spring, but the singer just couldn't fight any longer. Gibb and his two brothers as the Bee Gees were essentially disco royalty, and made the music of the 70's simply unforgettable. Here's just a taste from the trailer for Saturday Night Fever:
Not one person can think of BeeGees tunes like Night Fever, You Should Be Dancin' or Stayin' Alive without thinking of Travolta shaking his hips on a light-up floor in a white leisure suit. It's classic cinema, and has been parodied dozens of times over in films like Airplane! and more. The soundtrack itself is actually one of the key elements that made Saturday Night Fever popular and memorable enough to spawn a sequel (directed by Sylvester Stallone no less), even if it didn't live up to the hype of the first film.
In addition to their crowning achievement with Saturday Night Fever, The Bee Gees have had their music in over 100 films since the 70's, and they even took to the big screen in a film called Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band a 1978 jukebox musical. Its soundtrack features new versions of songs from The Beatles and follows a band as they wrangle with the music industry and battle evil forces bent on stealing their instruments and corrupting their home town of Heartland. More recently, Robin Gibb had attention brought to him with laughs as Justin Timberlake played the artist with Jimmy Fallon playing his brother Barry on a "Saturday Night Live" sketch called "The Barry Gibb Show" which each of the musicians having their high pitched singing voices parodied.
Gibb's legacy as part of the Bee Gees will effect the music industry for decades to come and by association, the film industry, which turns to the world of music to help tell stories, sometimes about the musicians themselves. As an inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and Grammy winner, along with his brothers, perhaps Robin will have his story told on the big screen as well. The singer was a treasured talent who will me missed and our thoughts go out to his family and friends. Rest in peace.
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Guesterson on May 20, 2012
Definitely a legend. Check out Jazi's new album "I.D.G.A.F." dropping June 1st and download it exclusively on reverb nation -jazihawaii - Also, download Jazi's single "Get You Home" for free and be on the lookout for Jazi's new music video dropping soon. Add Jazi on twitter - jaziHI - Thank you for all the love and support.
James Smith on May 20, 2012
God blessed him
Ehsan Davodi on May 20, 2012
I knew this was coming.... Even after he woke up from coma, i knew that this is what gonna come for him. Damn I hoped I cud go wrong. RIP man. Love your and your brothers work. They were truly made of gold.. Now its time 4 u entertain gods up there. We down here on earth are gonna miss u ;(
Stevenfreestyler on May 21, 2012
I was a fan of The Bee Gees as a kid in the late 60's when rock was in its adolescence years. To regularly top the music charts back then when some of the most successful and legendary artists of all time such as The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley, The Doors, The Who etc. were your competition you had to be beyond great. After they took a 5 year hiatus to reboot their careers as disco stars and came back with Jive Talking, I was done with them. However, as much as I hate disco there's no denying that they were good at it and Robin was always the key to their success. RIP Robin; not doubt your influence on music will forever Stay Alive.
Hattori Hanzo on May 21, 2012
I extend my deepest condolences to the Gibb family! Robin, thank you for the legacy you've left us! You were one of the great ones! Rest in peace, sir!
Spider on May 21, 2012