Robin Gibb Dies
By ETonline Staff 4:04 PM PDT, May 20, 2012
Robin Gibb died today after long battles with colon and liver cancer. He was 62.
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"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. The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time," family spokesman Doug Wright said in a statement posted to Robin Gibb's official website.
The Bee Gees singer, born in Manchester, England, astounded doctors in April when he overcame "quite incredible odds" by awakening from a coma in London. Gibb's coma was caused by pneumonia which he developed after having two surgeries in two months.
Maurice Gibb, Robin's twin brother and fellow Bee Gee, passed away in 2003 following complications from a twisted bowel. This is the same condition that Robin was treated for in 2010. Robin's brother Barry Gibb is the last remaining member of the Bee Gees.
Neil Portnow, President and CEO of The Recording Academy released the following statement: "Six-time GRAMMY winner and GRAMMY Legend Award recipient Robin Gibb was a singer/songwriter best known as one-third of celebrated pop sibling group the Bee Gees. His distinctive vibrato voice was part of the trio's signature harmony, and he and his brothers enjoyed many number one hits, including songs from the phenomenally successful album Saturday Night Fever -- the GRAMMY-winning Album Of The Year that became the biggest-selling soundtrack of the day and one of the best selling soundtracks of all time. Robin has had an indelible impact on music, and our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and fans around the world who will continue to sing and dance to his music that will be 'Stayin' Alive' for many generations to come."
John Travolta (who famously danced to the group's hit, Stayin Alive, in the opening sequence of Saturday Night Fever) also released a statement, saying, "I thought Robin was one of the most wonderful people -- gifted, generous, and a real friend to everyone he knew. And we'll miss him."