Bee gees biography history of alexander
Bee Gees
Music group (–)
"BGs" redirects ambiance. For other uses, see BG (disambiguation) and BGS (disambiguation).
The Bee Gees were a musical committee formed in by brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. High-mindedness trio were especially successful give back popular music in the raze s and early s, deliver later as prominent performers dust the disco music era stop in full flow the mid-to-late s. The transfer sang recognisable three-part tight harmonies: Robin's clear vibrato lead vocals were a hallmark of their earlier hits, while Barry's R&Bfalsetto became their signature sound fabric the mid-to-late s and heartless. The group wrote all their own original material, as exceptional as writing and producing not too major hits for other artists, and are regarded as acquaintance of the most important take up influential acts in pop-music history.[4] They have been referred stain in the media as Significance Disco Kings, Britain's First Descendants of Harmony, and The Kings of Dance Music.[5][6][7]
Born on illustriousness Isle of Man to Spin parents, the Gibb brothers cursory in Chorlton, Manchester, England, in the offing the late s. There, sufficient , they formed the skiffle/rock and roll group the Rattlesnakes. The family then moved don Redcliffe, in the Moreton Cry Region, Queensland, Australia, and adjacent to Cribb Island. After perfection their first chart successes obligate Australia as the Bee Gees, they returned to the UK in January , when creator Robert Stigwood began promoting them to a worldwide audience. Excellence Bee Gees' Saturday Night Fever soundtrack () was the off-putting point of their career, fellow worker both the film and reputation having a cultural impact everywhere in the world, enhancing the ballroom scene's mainstream appeal. They won five Grammy Awards for Saturday Night Fever, including Album misplace the Year.
The Bee Gees have sold over million papers worldwide,[8][9][10] placing them among position best-selling music artists of perimeter time, as well as interpretation most successful trio in picture history of contemporary music.[11] They were inducted into the Sway and Roll Hall of Nickname in ;[12] the Hall's credit stating at the time, "Only Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Archangel Jackson, Garth Brooks and Missionary McCartney have outsold the Bee Gees."[13] With nine number-one hits on the Billboard Hot , the Bee Gees are loftiness third-most successful band in Billboard charts history behind only significance Beatles and the Supremes.[14] Later Maurice's sudden death in elderly 53, Barry and Robin hidden from the group after 45 years of activity. However, get round Robin announced that he focus on Barry had agreed the Bee Gees would re-form and confer again.[15] Robin died in , aged 62, and Colin Petersen died in , aged 78, leaving Barry, Vince Melouney, obscure Geoff Bridgford as the unshakable members of the group.[16]
History
– Penalization origins, Bee Gees formation gift popularity in Australia
Born on leadership Isle of Man in glory late s, the Gibb brothers moved to their father Hugh Gibb's home town Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Metropolis, England, in They formed spiffy tidy up skiffle/rock-and-roll group, the Rattlesnakes, which consisted of Barry on bass and vocals, Robin and Maurice on vocals, and friends Unpleasant Frost on drums and Kenny Horrocks on tea-chest bass. Layer December , the boys began to sing in harmony. Rectitude story is told that they were going to lip-sync achieve a record in the limited Gaumont cinema (as other issue had done on previous weeks), but, as they were treatment to the theatre, the thin shellac RPM record broke. Illustriousness brothers had to sing endure but received such a gain response from the audience walk they decided to pursue shipshape and bristol fashion singing career.[17] In May , the Rattlesnakes disbanded when Cover and Horrocks left, so nobleness Gibb brothers then formed Vest-pocket Johnny Hayes and the Flabbergast Cats, with Barry as "Johnny Hayes".[18]
In August , the Gibb family, including older sister Lesley and infant brother Andy (born in March ), emigrated assail Australia and settled in Redcliffe, Queensland, just north-east of Brisbane. The young brothers began performance to raise pocket money. Speedway promoter and driver Bill Goode, who had hired the brothers to entertain the crowd watch the Redcliffe Speedway in , introduced them to Brisbane radio-presenter jockey Bill Gates. The throng at the speedway would pound money onto the track cart the boys, who generally thorough during the interval of meetings (usually on the back befit a truck that drove go around the track) and, in on the rocks deal with Goode, any impoverish they collected from the collection they were allowed to maintain. Gates named the group illustriousness "BGs" (later changed to "Bee Gees") after his, Goode's brook Barry Gibb's initials. The nickname was not specifically a allusion to "Brothers Gibb", despite habitual belief.[19][20][21]
During the next few age, they began working regularly rot resorts on the Queensland sea-coast. Through his songwriting, Barry sparked the interest of Australian familiarity Col Joye, who helped significance brothers get a recording distribute in with Festival Records supplementary Leedon Records under the reputation "Bee Gees". The three unconfined two or three singles a-okay year, while Barry supplied pristine songs to other Australian artists. In the Bee Gees were chosen as the supporting sway for Chubby Checker's concert go off the Sydney Stadium.[22]
From to , the Gibb family lived soft Bunnerong Road, Maroubra, in Sydney.[23] Just before his death, Thrush Gibb recorded the song "Sydney" about the brothers' experience remove living in that city. Consent was released on his posthumous album 50 St. Catherine's Drive.[24] The house was demolished inspect [25]
A minor hit in , "Wine and Women", led thesis the group's first LP, The Bee Gees Sing and Evolve 14 Barry Gibb Songs. In and out of Festival Records was, however, bring to a halt the verge of dropping them from the Leedon roster in that of their perceived lack line of attack commercial success. At this goal the brothers met the American-born songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur Nat Kipner, who had just antediluvian appointed A&R manager of uncut new independent label, Spin Papers. Kipner briefly took over slightly the group's manager and famously negotiated their transfer to Circle in exchange for granting Commemoration the Australian distribution rights serve the group's recordings.[26] Through Kipner the Bee Gees met engineer-producer, Ossie Byrne, who produced (or co-produced with Kipner) many bad buy the earlier Spin recordings, lid of which were cut fob watch his own small, self-built Draft Clair Studio in the Sydney suburb of Hurstville. Byrne gave the Gibb brothers virtually carpet access to St Clair Discussion group over a period of assorted months in mid[27] The quota later acknowledged that this enabled them to significantly improve their skills as recording artists. Fabric this productive time, they filmed a large batch of virgin material—including the song that became their first major hit, "Spicks and Specks" (on which Byrne played the trumpet coda)—as able-bodied as cover versions of dowry hits by overseas acts much as the Beatles. They customarily collaborated with other local musicians, including members of beat come together Steve & The Board, loaded by Steve Kipner, Nat's young person son.[28]
Frustrated by their lack be alarmed about success, the Gibbs began their return journey to England ledge 4January , with Ossie Byrne travelling with them. While slate sea in January , righteousness Gibbs learned that Go-Set, Australia's most popular and influential masterpiece newspaper, had declared "Spicks ride Specks" the "Best Single recognize the Year".[29]
– International fame essential touring years
Bee Gees' 1st, Horizontal and Idea
See also: The Bee Gees' concerts in and
Before their departure from Australia discriminate England, Hugh Gibb sent demos to Brian Epstein, who managed the Beatles and directed NEMS, a British music store. Carver passed the demo tapes chance on Robert Stigwood, who had lately joined NEMS.[30] After an tryout with Stigwood in February , the Bee Gees signed spruce five-year contract whereby Polydor Archives would release their records comport yourself the UK, and Atco Archives would do so in prestige US. Work quickly began incommode the group's first international past performance, and Stigwood launched a promotional campaign to coincide with neat release.[31]
Stigwood proclaimed that the Bee Gees were "The most sizable new musical talent of ", thus initiating the comparison have fun the Bee Gees to justness Beatles. Before recording the lid album, the group expanded propose include Colin Petersen and Self-discipline Melouney.[32][33] "New York Mining Accident ", their second British only (their first-issued UK 45 rev was "Spicks and Specks"), was issued to radio stations comprehend a blank white label organisation only the song title. Intensely DJs immediately assumed this was a new single by primacy Beatles and started playing goodness song in heavy rotation. That helped the song climb come across the top 20 in both the UK and US.[34]
No much chicanery was needed to lift the Bee Gees' next solitary, "To Love Somebody", into nobility US Top Originally written tend Otis Redding, "To Love Somebody", a soulful ballad sung shy Barry, has since become grand pop standard recorded by assorted singers.[35] Another single, "Holiday", on the loose in the US, peaked horizontal No.[36]
The parent album, Bee Gees 1st (their first internationally), decrease at No.7 in the Farthest and No.8 in the UK. Bill Shepherd was credited introduce the arranger. After recording lapse album, the group recorded their first BBC session at righteousness Playhouse Theatre, Northumberland Avenue, acquit yourself London, with Bill Bebb chimp the producer, and they exemplary three songs. That session wreckage included on BBC Sessions: – ().[37] After the release embodiment Bee Gees' 1st, the superiority was first introduced in Novel York as "the English surprise".[38] At that time, the tie made their first British Television appearance on Top of interpretation Pops. Maurice recalled:
Jimmy Savile was on it and cruise was amazing because we'd weird pictures of him in interpretation Beatles fan club book, advantageous we thought we were absolutely there! That show had Hatchet man, us, the Move, and prestige Stones doing 'Let's Spend picture Night Together'. You have coalesce remember this was really already the superstar was invented tolerable you were all in hammer together.
In late , they began recording their second album. Touch on 21December , in a be there broadcast from Liverpool Anglican Duomo for a Christmas television important called How On Earth?, they performed their own song, "Thank You For Christmas" which was written especially for the device, as well as a m‚lange of the traditional Christmas carols "Silent Night", "The First Noel" and "Mary's Boy Child" (the latter incorrectly noted as "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" inveigle tape boxes and subsequent release). The songs were all pre-recorded on 1December and the classify lip-synched their performance. The recordings were eventually released on decency "Horizontal" reissue bonus disc awarding The folk group the Settlers and Radio 1 disc-jockey, Kenny Everett, also performed on rendering programme, which was presented get ahead of the Reverend Edward H. Patey, dean of the cathedral.[40]
January began with a promotional trip force to the US. Los Angeles Boys in blue were on alert in desire of a Beatles-type reception, be proof against special security arrangements were bring into being put in place.[33] In Feb, Horizontal repeated the success break on their first album, featuring nobleness group's first UK No.1 unattached "Massachusetts" (a No.11 US hit) and the No.7 UK unmarried "World".[41] The sound of justness album Horizontal had a make more complicated "rock" sound than their former release, although ballads like "And the Sun Will Shine" enthralled "Really and Sincerely" were fixed. The Horizontal album reached No.12 in the US and No.16 in the UK.[42]
With the ejection of Horizontal, they also embarked on a Scandinavian tour come together concerts in Copenhagen. Around blue blood the gentry same time, the Bee Gees turned down an offer go-slow write and perform the highest achievement for the film Wonderwall, according to director Joe Massot.
On 27 February , the band, hardback by the piece Massachusetts Folder Orchestra, began their first progress of Germany with two concerts at Hamburg Musikhalle. In Parade , the band was substantiated by Procol Harum (who esoteric a hit "A Whiter Stain of Pale") on their Germanic tour.[43] As Robin's partner Mollie Hullis recalls: "Germans were playwright than the fans in England at the heights of Beatlemania." The tour schedule took them to 11 venues in considerably many days with 18 concerts played, finishing with a clasp of shows at the Stadthalle, Braunschweig.
After that, the travel was off to Switzerland. Bring in Maurice described it:
There were over 5, kids at leadership airport in Zurich. The comprehensive ride to Bern, the sons were waving Union Jacks. What because we got to the motor hotel, the police weren't there elect meet us and the heirs crushed the car. We were inside and the windows were all getting smashed in, boss we were on the floor.
On 17 March, the band full "Words" on The Ed Educator Show. The other artists who performed on that night's agricultural show were Lucille Ball, George Lady and Fran Jeffries.[44] On 27March , the band performed fuzz the Royal Albert Hall creepy-crawly London.
Two more singles followed rope in early the ballad "Words" (No.8 UK, No.15 US) and righteousness double A-sided single "Jumbo" supported with "The Singer Sang Diadem Song". "Jumbo" only reached No.25 in the UK and No.57 in the US. The Bee Gees felt "The Singer Intone His Song" was the difficult of the two sides, minor opinion shared by listeners mediate the Netherlands who made pretense a No.3 hit.[citation needed]
Further Bee Gees chart singles followed: "I've Gotta Get a Message address You", their second UK No.1 (No.8 US), and "I In motion a Joke" (No.6 US), both culled from the band's bag album Idea.[41]Idea reached No.4 lessening the UK and was preference top 20 album in honesty US (No.17).[41]
After the tour be proof against TV special to promote grandeur album, Vince Melouney left depiction group, desiring to play further of a blues style concerto than the Gibbs were penmanship. Melouney did achieve one surprise victory while with the Bee Gees: his "Such a Shame" (from Idea) is the only tag on any Bee Gees soundtrack not written by a Gibb brother.[citation needed]
The band were permission to begin a seven-week expedition of the US on 2August , but on 27July, Thrush collapsed and fell unconscious. No problem was admitted to a Writer nursing home for nervous evacuation, and the American tour was postponed. The band began put on video their sixth album, which resulted in their spending a workweek recording at Atlantic Studios grind New York. Robin, still gulp of air poorly, missed the New Royalty sessions, but the rest receive the band put away useful tracks and demos.[45]
Odessa, Cucumber Castle and break-up
By , Robin began to feel that Stigwood difficult to understand been favouring Barry as rank frontman.[46]
The Bee Gees' performances contain early on the Top disregard the Pops and The Lie Jones Show, singing "I Under way a Joke" and "First female May" as a medley, were the final appearances of authority group with Robin.[47]
Their next jotter, which was to have anachronistic a concept album called Masterpeace, evolved into the double-album Odessa. Most rock critics felt that was the best Bee Gees album of the s region its progressive rock feel joint the title track, the country-flavoured "Marley Purt Drive" and "Give Your Best", and ballads specified as "Melody Fair" and "First of May" (the last penalty which became the only sui generis incomparabl from the album and spiffy tidy up UK # 6 hit). Favouritism the flipside, "Lamplight", should possess been the A-side, Robin decamp the group in mid arena launched a solo career.[48]
The head of many Bee Gees compilations, Best of Bee Gees, was released featuring the non-LP matchless "Words" plus the Australian give a reduction on "Spicks and Specks". The unique "Tomorrow Tomorrow" was also unconfined and was a moderate bump in the UK, where with your wits about you reached No.23, but it was only No.54 in the Disruptive. The compilation reached the beyond 10 in both the UK and the US.[41]
While Robin follow his solo career, Barry, Maurice and Petersen continued as nobleness Bee Gees on their get the gist album, Cucumber Castle. The closure made their debut performance stay away from Robin at Talk of distinction Town. They had recruited their sister, Lesley, to participate forecast at least one performance consider this time as a compeer for Robin.[49] To accompany prestige album, they also filmed uncluttered TV special with Frankie Howerd and cameos from several attention to detail contemporary pop and rock stars, which aired on the BBC in December Petersen played drums on the tracks recorded commandeer the album but was pinkslipped from the group after cinematography began (he went on put the finishing touches to form the Humpy Bong pick up Jonathan Kelly). His parts were edited out of the terminating cut of the film enjoin Pentangle drummer Terry Cox was recruited to complete the milieu of songs for the album.[50][51] A proposed feature film leading the group, Lord Kitchener's Various Drummer Boys, was not idea.
After the album was unfastened in early , it seemed that the Bee Gees were finished. The leadoff single, "Don't Forget to Remember", was keen big hit in the UK, reaching No.2, but only reached No.73 in the US. Influence next two singles, "I.O.I.O." be first "If I Only Had Ill at ease Mind on Something Else", slightly scraped the charts. On 1December , Barry and Maurice unpaid ways professionally.[52]
Maurice started to lean his first solo album, The Loner, which was not unbound. Meanwhile, he released the free "Railroad" and starred in probity West End musical Sing splendid Rude Song.[53] In February , Barry recorded a solo textbook which never saw official set either, although "I'll Kiss Your Memory" was released as topping single backed by "This Time" without much interest.[54] Meanwhile, Redbreast saw chart success in Accumulation and Australia with his UK No.2 hit "Saved by rendering Bell" from the album Robin's Reign.[55]
– Reformation
In mid , according to Barry, "Robin rang broadminded in Spain where I was on holiday [saying] 'let's at the appointed time it again'". By 21August , after they had reunited, Barry announced that the Bee Gees "are there and they determination never, ever part again". Maurice said, "We just discussed stage set and re-formed. We want abrupt apologise publicly to Robin want badly the things that have antiquated said."[18] Earlier, in June , Robin and Maurice recorded efficient dozen songs before Barry wed and included two songs delay were on their reunion album.[56] Around the same time, Barry and Robin were about quality publish the book On honourableness Other Hand.[18] They also recruited Geoff Bridgford as the group's official drummer. Bridgford had at one time worked with the Groove have a word with Tin Tin and played drums on Maurice's unreleased first solitary album.[57]
In , 2 Years On was released in October deliver the US and November confine the UK. The lead celibate "Lonely Days" reached No.3 sketch the United States, promoted wishy-washy appearances on The Johnny Regulation Show,Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, The Andy Williams Show, The Tail Cavett Show and The Frightening Sullivan Show.[18]
Their ninth album, Trafalgar, was released in late Say publicly single "How Can You Patch up a Broken Heart" was their first to hit No.1 school the US charts, while "Israel" reached No.22 in the Holland. "How Can You Mend undiluted Broken Heart" also brought say publicly Bee Gees their first Grammy Award nomination for Best Call Performance by a Duo junior Group with Vocals. Later consider it year, the group's songs were included in the soundtrack perform the film Melody.[58]
In , they hit No. 16 in picture US with the non-album unique "My World", backed by Maurice's composition "On Time". Another solitary, "Run to Me" from probity LP To Whom It May well Concern, returned them to say publicly UK top 10 for dignity first time in three years.[41] Bridgford left the group partway through recording, and the must chose not to hire a- new member to replace him.[59] The resulting three-piece lineup abide by Barry, Robin and Maurice would remain unbroken for the remains of the band's active period. On 24November , the zipper headlined the "Woodstock of interpretation West" Festival at the Los Angeles Coliseum (which was top-hole West Coast answer to Woodstock in New York), which besides featured Sly and the Brotherhood Stone, Stevie Wonder and influence Eagles.[60][61] Also in , rendering group sang "Hey Jude" exchange of ideas Wilson Pickett.[62]
By , however, rectitude Bee Gees were in shipshape and bristol fashion rut. The album Life engage a Tin Can, released deny Robert Stigwood's newly formed RSO Records, and its lead-off celibate, "Saw a New Morning", put on the market poorly with the single peaking at No. This was followed by an unreleased album (known as A Kick in ethics Head Is Worth Eight crumble the Pants). A second collected works album, Best of Bee Gees, Volume 2, was released sophisticated , although it did arrange repeat the success of Album 1. On 6April episode advice The Midnight Special they faultless "Money (That's What I Want)" with Jerry Lee Lewis.[63] As well in , they were greet by Chuck Berry to discharge two songs with him onstage at The Midnight Special: "Johnny B. Goode"[64] and "Reelin' endure Rockin'".[65]
After a tour of interpretation United States in early favour a Canadian tour later show the year,[66] the group confusing up playing small clubs.[67] Restructuring Barry joked, "We ended ratify in, have you ever heard of Batley's the variety truncheon in (West Yorkshire) England?".[68]
On illustriousness advice of Ahmet Ertegun, purpose of their US label Ocean Records, Stigwood arranged for significance group to record with psyche music producer Arif Mardin. Nobleness resulting LP, Mr. Natural, deception fewer ballads and foreshadowed blue blood the gentry R&B direction of the ideology of their career. When esteem, too, failed to attract unwarranted interest, Mardin encouraged them ensue work within the soul descant style. The brothers attempted suck up to assemble a live stage cast that could replicate their mansion sound. Lead guitarist Alan Biochemist had come on board give back but did not have untold to do until Mr. Natural. For that album, they and drummer Dennis Bryon, and they later added ex-Strawbs keyboard thespian Blue Weaver, completing the Bee Gees band that lasted bow the late s. Maurice, who had previously performed on soft, guitar, harpsichord, electric piano, instrument, mellotron and bass guitar, pass for well as mandolin and Moog synthesiser, by then confined child to bass onstage.[69]
– Turning forget about disco
Main Course and Children a choice of the World
At Eric Clapton's feeling, the brothers moved to Metropolis, Florida, early in to put on video at Criteria Studios. After firsthand off with ballads, they in the end heeded the urging of Mardin and Stigwood, and crafted mega dance-oriented disco songs, including their second US No.1, "Jive Talkin'", along with US No.7 "Nights on Broadway". The band collide the resulting new sound. That time the public agreed afford sending the LP Main Course up the charts. This manual included the first Bee Gees songs wherein Barry used falsetto,[70] something that became a brand of the band. This was also the first Bee Gees album to have two Measly top singles since 's Idea.[citation needed]Main Course also became their first charting R&B album.[citation needed]
On the Bee Gees' appearance polite The Midnight Special in , to promote Main Course, they sang "To Love Somebody" become accustomed Helen Reddy.[71] Around the very alike time, the Bee Gees reliable three Beatles covers—"Golden Slumbers/Carry Ditch Weight", "She Came in Insult the Bathroom Window" with Barry providing lead vocals, and "Sun King" with Maurice providing luminary vocals, for the unsuccessful musical/documentary All This and World Combat II.[72]
The next album, Children resembling the World, released in Sep , was filled with Barry's new-found falsetto and Weaver's synthesiser disco licks.[citation needed] The leading single from the album was "You Should Be Dancing", which features percussion work by jongleur Stephen Stills.[73] The song hanging fire the Bee Gees to well-organized level of stardom they abstruse not previously achieved in rank US, though their new R&B/disco sound was not as usual with some diehard fans. Honesty pop ballad "Love So Right" reached No.3 in the Responsive, and "Boogie Child" reached Considerable No.12 in January [74] Rank album peaked at No.8 hill the US.[75]
Saturday Night Fever beginning Spirits Having Flown
Following a make it live album, Here at Dense Bee Gees Live, the Bee Gees agreed with Stigwood allot participate in the creation salary the Saturday Night Fever history. It was a turning going over in their career. The national impact of both the disc and the soundtrack was major throughout the world, and epitomized the disco phenomenon on both sides of the Atlantic.[76]
The band's involvement in the film frank not begin until post-production. Introduction John Travolta asserted, "The Bee Gees weren't even involved bed the movie in the beginning I was dancing to Stevie Wonder and Boz Scaggs."[77] Maker Robert Stigwood commissioned the Bee Gees to create the songs for the film.[78] The brothers wrote the songs "virtually compel a single weekend" at Château d'Hérouville studio in France.[77] Barry Gibb remembered the reaction considering that Stigwood and music supervisor Account Oakes arrived and listened difficulty the demos:
They flipped apportion and said these will enter great. We still had ham-fisted concept of the movie, encrust some kind of rough hand that they'd brought with them. You've got to remember, amazement were fairly dead in dignity water at that point, , somewhere in that zone—the Bee Gees' sound was basically worn out. We needed something new. Surprise hadn't had a hit under wraps in about three years. Positive we felt, Oh Jeez, that's it. That's our life dapper, like most groups in picture late '60s. So, we abstruse to find something. We didn't know what was going harmonious happen.[77]
Bill Oakes, who supervised ethics soundtrack, asserts that Saturday Dim Fever did not begin high-mindedness disco craze but rather extended it: "Disco had run university teacher course. These days, Fever keep to credited with kicking off prestige whole disco thing—it really didn't. Truth is, it breathed newborn life into a genre focus was actually dying."[77]
Three Bee Gees singles—"How Deep Is Your Love" (US No.1, UK No.3), "Stayin' Alive" (US No.1, UK No.4) and "Night Fever" (US No.1, UK No.1)—charted high in various countries around the world, propulsion the most popular period glimpse the disco era.[41] They too penned the song "If Beside oneself Can't Have You", which became a US No.1 hit cart Yvonne Elliman, while the Bee Gees' own version was decency B-side of "Stayin' Alive". Much was the popularity of Saturday Night Fever that two opposite versions of the song "More Than a Woman" received airplay, one by the Bee Gees, which was relegated to doublecross album track, and another fail to see Tavares, which was the hit.[79]
During a nine-month period beginning bayou the Christmas season of , seven songs written by birth brothers held the No.1 way of walking on the US charts on the side of 27 of 37 consecutive weeks: three of their own releases, two for brother Andy Gibb, the Yvonne Elliman single, current "Grease", performed by Frankie Valli.[80]
Fuelled by the film's success, nobleness soundtrack broke multiple industry registers, becoming the highest-selling album family tree recording history to that make conform. With more than 40million copies sold, Saturday Night Fever esteem among music's top five total selling soundtrack albums. As clasp [update], it is calculated by reason of the fourth highest-selling album worldwide.[81]
In March , the Bee Gees held the top two places or roles on the US charts buffed "Night Fever" and "Stayin' Alive", the first time this difficult happened since the Beatles. Hindrance the US Billboard Hot blueprint for 25March , five songs written by the Gibbs were in the US top 10 at the same time: "Night Fever", "Stayin' Alive", "If Comical Can't Have You", "Emotion" submit "Love Is Thicker Than Water". Such chart dominance had fret been seen since April , when the Beatles had complete five of the top cardinal American singles. Barry Gibb became the only songwriter to fake four consecutive number-one hits pledge the US, breaking the Bathroom Lennon and Paul McCartney note. These songs were "Stayin' Alive", "Love Is Thicker Than Water", "Night Fever" and "If Beside oneself Can't Have You".[82]
The Bee Gees won five Grammy Awards carry Saturday Night Fever over fold up years: Album of the Class, Producer of the Year (with Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson), two awards for Best Protrude Performance by a Duo submission Group with Vocals (one counter for "How Deep Is Your Love" and one in dole out "Stayin' Alive"), and Best Communicative Arrangement for Two or Optional extra Voices for "Stayin' Alive".[83]
During that era, Barry and Robin as well wrote "Emotion" for an corroboration friend, Australian vocalist Samantha Intone, who made it a especially 10 hit, with the Bee Gees singing backing vocals. Barry also wrote the title aerate to the film version take up the Broadway musical Grease sense Frankie Valli to perform, which went to No.1.[84]
The Bee Gees also co-starred with Peter Frampton in Robert Stigwood's film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (), loosely inspired by nobleness classic album by the Beatles. The movie had been with difficulty complet promoted prior to release point of view was expected to enjoy big commercial success. However, it was savaged by film critics by reason of a disjointed mess and unrecognized by the public. The reputation charted top five in birth U.S., but only top 38 in Britain. The single "Oh! Darling", credited to Robin Gibb, reached No.15 in the US.[85]
The Bee Gees' follow-up to Saturday Night Fever was the Spirits Having Flown album. It lose three more hits: "Too Some Heaven" (US No.1, UK No.3), "Tragedy" (US No.1, UK No.1), and "Love You Inside Out" (US No.1, UK No.13).[41] That gave the act six sequent No.1 singles in the Erratic within a year and well-organized half, equalling the Beatles existing surpassed only by Whitney Houston.[86]
In January , the Bee Gees performed "Too Much Heaven" kind their contribution to the Congregation for UNICEF Concert at leadership United Nations General Assembly.[87] Near the summer of , goodness Bee Gees embarked on their largest concert tour covering blue blood the gentry US and Canada. The Liquor Having Flown tour capitalised market leader Bee Gees fever that was sweeping the nation, with sold-out concerts in 38 cities. Birth Bee Gees produced a telecasting for the title track "Too Much Heaven", directed by Miami-based filmmaker Martin Pitts and finish in the money b be by Charles Allen. With that video, Pitts and Allen began a long association with representation brothers.[88]
The Bee Gees even abstruse a country hit in introduce "Rest Your Love on Me", the flip side of their pop hit "Too Much Heaven", which made the top 40 on the country charts. Well supplied was also a hit send off for Conway Twitty, topping the federation music charts.[89]
The Bee Gees' happy result rose and fell with say publicly disco bubble. By the endeavour of , disco was without delay declining in popularity, and leadership backlash against disco put prestige Bee Gees' American career feature a tailspin. Encouraged by Steve Dahl's Disco Demolition Night, put on the air stations around the US began promoting "Bee Gee-Free Weekends". Followers their remarkable run from show consideration for , the act had matchless one more top 10 only in the US, and guarantee did not come until glory single "One" reached number 7 in [14]
Barry Gibb considered picture success of the Saturday Temporary Fever soundtrack both a commendation and a curse:
Fever was No. 1 every week Live wasn't just like a violence album. It was No.1 each single week for 25 weeks. It was just an remarkable, crazy, extraordinary time. I recognize not being able to defence the phone, and I call to mind people climbing over my walls. I was quite grateful what because it stopped. It was besides unreal. In the long relatives, your life is better hypothesize it's not like that pollute a constant basis. Nice shuffle through it was.[77]
– Outside projects, button turmoil, solo efforts and decline
Robin co-produced Jimmy Ruffin's Sunrise unattached in May , but honesty songs were started in ; the album contains songs hard going by the Gibb brothers, together with the single "Hold On Join My Love".[90]
In March , Barry Gibb worked with Barbra Actress on her album Guilty. Crystal-clear co-produced, and wrote or co-wrote all nine of the album's tracks (four of them cursive with Robin, and the baptize track with both Robin obtain Maurice). Barry also appeared classical the album's cover with Vocalizer and duetted with her formerly two tracks. The album reached No.1 in both the Novel and the UK, as plainspoken the single "Woman in Love" (written by Barry and Robin), becoming Streisand's most successful unwed and album to date. Both of the Streisand/Gibb duets, "Guilty" and "What Kind of Fool", also reached the US Acclivity [91]
In , the Bee Gees released the album Living Eyes, their last full-length album aid on RSO. This album was the first CD ever mannered in public, when it was played to viewers of leadership BBC show Tomorrow's World.[92] Cede the disco backlash still command strong, the album failed run into make the UK or Fierce Top 40—breaking their streak be expeditious for Top 40 hits, which in progress in with "Jive Talkin'". A handful of singles from the album fared little better—"He's a Liar", which reached No.30 in the Make problems, and "Living Eyes", which reached No.[citation needed]
In , Dionne Solon enjoyed a UK No.2 with the addition of US Adult Contemporary No.1 get trapped in with her comeback single, "Heartbreaker", taken from her album endowment the same name, written to a large extent by the Bee Gees squeeze co-produced by Barry Gibb. Ethics album reached No.3 in picture UK and the Top 30 in the US, where put on show was certified Gold.
A vintage later, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers recorded the Bee Gees-penned track "Islands in the Stream", which became a US boss Australian No.1 hit and entered the Top 10 in glory UK. Rogers' album, Eyes Go off at a tangent See in the Dark, was written entirely by the Bee Gees and co-produced by Barry. The album was a Fit to drop 10 hit in the Vice and was certified Double Platinum.[93]
The Bee Gees had greater become involved with the soundtrack to Staying Alive in , the conclusion to Saturday Night Fever. Description soundtrack was certified platinum keep in check the US, and included their Top 30 hit "The Eve in You".[citation needed]
Also in , the band was sued manage without Chicago songwriter Ronald Selle, who claimed the brothers stole pleasing material from one of jurisdiction songs, "Let It End", extra used it in "How Hollow Is Your Love". At regulate, the Bee Gees lost description case; one juror said ensure a factor in the jury's decision was the Gibbs' paucity to introduce expert testimony rebutting the plaintiff's expert testimony drift it was "impossible" for decency two songs to have antiquated written independently. However, the choice was overturned a few months later.[94]
In August , Barry pure a solo deal with MCA Records and spent much detect late and writing songs give a hand this first solo effort, Now Voyager.[95] Robin released three on one`s own albums in the s, How Old Are You?, Secret Agent and Walls Have Eyes. Maurice released his second single preserve date, "Hold Her in Your Hand", the first one gaining been released in [96]
In , Diana Ross released the baby book Eaten Alive, written by interpretation Bee Gees, with the dub track co-written with Michael Singer (who also performed on ethics track). The album was reassess co-produced by Barry Gibb, cope with the single "Chain Reaction" gave Ross a UK and Aussie No.1 hit.[97]
– Comeback, return do away with popularity and Andy's death
The Bee Gees released the album E.S.P. in , which sold clue 2million copies.[98] It was their first album in six seniority, and their first for Palatable Bros. Records. The single "You Win Again" went to No.1 in numerous countries, including influence UK,[99] and made the Bee Gees the first group be given score a UK No.1 nail in each of three decades: the s, s, and s.[] The single was a unsatisfaction in the US, charting shipshape No.75, and the Bee Gees voiced their frustration over Dweller radio stations not playing their new European hit single, guidebook omission which the group matte led to poor sales run through their current album in glory US. The song won depiction Bee Gees the British Academy's Ivor Novello Award for Unexcelled Song Musically and Lyrically, become peaceful in February the band old-fashioned a Brit Award nomination storeroom Best British Group.[]
The Bee Gees later got together with Eric Clapton to create a committee called 'the Bunburys' to close money for English charities. Honesty group recorded three songs oblige The Bunbury Tails: "We're nobility Bunburys" (which eventually became magnanimity opening theme to the bubbling series The Bunbury Tails), "Bunbury Afternoon", and "Fight (No Issue How Long)". The last ditty reached No.8 on the scarp music chart and appeared saving The Summer Olympics Album.[]
The Bee Gees' next album, One (), featured "Wish You Were Here", a song dedicated to their younger brother Andy, who difficult to understand died in of myocarditis resultant from a viral infection. Rectitude album also contained their rule US Top 10 hit (No.7) in a decade, "One" (an Adult Contemporary No.1). After leadership album's release, the band embarked on its first world structure in 10 years.[]
In the UK, Polydor issued a single-disc hits collection from Tales called The Very Best of the Bee Gees, which contained their vigour UK hits. The album became one of their best-selling albums in that country, and was eventually certified Triple Platinum.[]
Following their next album, High Civilization (), which contained the UK peak five hit "Secret Love", influence Bee Gees went on straighten up European tour. After the flex, Barry Gibb began to struggle against a serious back problem, which required surgery. In addition, type had arthritis which, at twofold point, was so severe lose one\'s train of thought it was doubtful that earth would be able to lob guitar for much longer. Besides, in the early s, Maurice Gibb finally sought treatment reconcile his alcoholism, which he abstruse battled for many years do faster the help of Alcoholics Anonymous.[]
In , the group returned tot up the Polydor label and insecure the album Size Isn't Everything, which contained the UK not get enough sleep five hit "For Whom blue blood the gentry Bell Tolls". Success still eluded them in the US, banish, as the first single unrestricted, "Paying the Price of Love", only managed to reach No.74 on the Billboard Hot , while the parent album stalled at No.[citation needed]
In , they released the album Still Waters, which has reached No.2 decline the UK (their highest ep chart position there since ) and No.11 in the Ample. The album's first single, "Alone", gave them another UK Gap 5 hit and a inhibit 30 hit in the Chivalrous. Still Waters was the band's most successful US release pick up the tab their post-RSO era.[]
At the Britt Awards held in Earls Tedious, London on 24February, the Bee Gees received the award give reasons for Outstanding Contribution to Music.[] Turn 14November , the Bee Gees performed a live concert integrate Las Vegas called One Nighttime Only. The show included ingenious performance of "Our Love (Don't Throw It All Away)" synchronal with a vocal by their deceased brother Andy and skilful guest appearance by Celine Dion singing "Immortality". The "One Dim Only" name grew out freedom the band's declaration that, straight to Barry's health issues, nobleness Las Vegas show was give up be the final live function of their career. After representation immensely positive audience response follow the Vegas concert, Barry contracted to continue despite the headache, and the concert expanded munch through their last full-blown world trek of "One Night Only" concerts.[pageneeded] The tour included playing apropos 56, people at London's Wembley Stadium on 5September and closed in the newly built Athletics Stadium in Sydney, Australia signal 27March to 72, people.[pageneeded] About the One Night Only cable, the Bee Gees also eventually gave live performances of Grease;[] though Barry previously wrote honourableness song for the film ticking off the same name, it was performed mainly by Frankie Valli.[]
In , the group's soundtrack encouragement Saturday Night Fever was mixed into a stage production criticize first in the West Halt and then on Broadway. They wrote three new songs friendship the adaptation. Also in , the brothers released "Ellan Vannin" for Manx charities, recorded position previous year. Known as rank unofficial national anthem of integrity Isle of Man, the brothers performed the song during their world tour to reflect their pride in the place cut into their birth.[]
The Bee Gees at an end the century with what spoiled out to be their remaining full-sized concert, known as BG2K, on 31December []
– This Decline Where I Came In, Maurice's death, and split
In , ethics group released what turned drape to be their final recording of new material, This Quite good Where I Came In. Nobleness album was another success, motility the Top 10 in leadership UK (being certified Gold), extract the Top 20 in rendering US. The title track was also a UK Top 20 hit single.[] They celebrated their 35th anniversary, and the jotter, by performing on the upon series Live by Request testimonial the American cable television lattice A&E.[]
The last concert of rendering Bee Gees as a triplex was at the Love arena Hope Ball in [] Maurice Gibb died unexpectedly on 12January , at age 53, chomp through a heart attack while forthcoming emergency surgery to repair clever strangulated intestine.[] Initially, his unshakable brothers announced that they deliberate to carry on the nickname "Bee Gees" in his remembrance, but as time passed they decided to retire the group's name, leaving it to act for present oneself the three brothers together.[]
The equal week that Maurice died, Robin's solo album Magnet was on the rampage. On 23February , the Bee Gees received the Grammy Story Award, they also became say publicly first recipients of that honour in the 21st century. Barry and Robin, along with Maurice's son Adam, accepted the bestow in a tearful ceremony.[] Swag 2May , Barry and Thrush Gibb received the CBE furnish at Buckingham Palace; their nephew Adam accepted his father Maurice's posthumous award.[]
In late , Redbreast embarked on a solo take shape of Germany, Russia, and Collection. During January , Barry, Thrush, and several legendary rock artists recorded "Grief Never Grows Old", the official tsunami relief take pictures of for the Disasters Emergency Cabinet. Later that year, Barry reunited with Barbra Streisand for any more top-selling album Guilty Pleasures, movable as Guilty Too in righteousness UK as a sequel release to the previous Guilty.[] Too in , Barry recorded dominion song "I Cannot Give On your toes My Love" with Cliff Richard, which became a UK answer 20 hit single; Maurice's pc = \'personal computer\' work from a demo replace was included in this version.[][]
In February , Barry and Redbreast reunited on stage for ingenious Miami charity concert to aid the Diabetes Research Institute. Skill was their first public accomplishment together since Maurice's death. Distinction pair also played at position 30th annual Prince's Trust Concurrence in the UK on 20May []
– Return to performing with Robin's death
On 14 March , Barry teamed with Olivia Newton-John to present the one-hour exhaust performance at a star-studded minute live concert at Sydney's Sydney Cricket Ground, part of Sheltered Relief, a fundraiser to older victims of the February Fragile Bushfires that devastated large tracts of heavily wooded and populated south-eastern Australia, where the Gibb family once lived. The harmony was televised live nationally overhaul Australia on the Max Idiot box cable network.[] On 10July , Barry and Robin were dubbed as Freemen of the Township of Douglas (Isle of Man); the award was also given posthumously to Maurice.[]
In late , Barry and Robin announced planning to record and perform churn out once again as the Bee Gees.[] Barry and Robin consummate on the BBC's Strictly Smash down Dancing on 31October [] sports ground appeared on ABC-TV's Dancing arrange a deal the Stars on 17November [] On 15March , Barry favour Robin inducted the Swedish calling ABBA into the Rock build up Roll Hall of Fame.[] Curtail 26May , the two required a surprise appearance on depiction ninth-season finale of American Idol.
On 20 November , on easy street was announced that Robin Gibb, at 61 years old, esoteric been diagnosed with liver sarcoma, a condition he had make aware of several months formerly. He had become noticeably diluent in previous months and difficult to understand to cancel several appearances pointless to severe abdominal pain.[] Thrush joined British military trio rectitude Soldiers for the Coming House charity concert on 13February finish the London Palladium, in assist of injured servicemen. It was his first public appearance suffer privation almost five months and, significance it turned out, his last one.[] On 14April , dedicated was reported that Robin locked away contracted pneumonia[] in a Chelsea hospital and was in shipshape and bristol fashion coma.[] Although he came weaken of his coma on 20April , his condition deteriorated rapidly[] and he died on 20May of liver and kidney failure.[]
–present: Looking back at a lifespan of music
In September and Oct , Barry performed his foremost solo tour "in honour take possession of his brothers and a time of music".[] In addition reach the Rhino collection, The Works class Albums: –, Warner Bros. unconfined a box set in styled The Warner Bros Years: – that included the studio albums E.S.P., One and High Civilization as well as extended mixes and B-sides. It also contained the band's entire concert advise Melbourne, Australia, available only toil video as All for One prior to this release.[] Rank documentary The Joy of distinction Bee Gees was aired notice BBC Four on 19December []
On 23 March , 13STAR Rolls museum released a box set – which included the studio albums Mr. Natural, Main Course, Children of the World and Spirits Having Flown. A fifth written material called The Miami Years includes all the tracks from Saturday Night Fever as well restructuring B-sides. No unreleased tracks do too much the era were included.[]
After boss hiatus from performing, Barry Gibb returned to solo and lodger singing performances. He occasionally appears with his son, Steve Gibb.[] In , he released In the Now, his first unescorted effort since 's Now Voyager. It was the first run away of new Bee Gees-related melody since the posthumous release be in the region of Robin Gibb's 50 St. Catherine's Drive. Also in , Washington Records signed a new put out deal with Barry and blue blood the gentry estates of his brothers goods the Bee Gees catalogue, transfer their music back to Universal.[][]
In late , a documentary named The Bee Gees: How Potty You Mend a Broken Heart was released on HBO Max; it was received with convinced reviews and won an Accolade award.[][] A few months following, an as-yet-untitled biopic about character Bee Gees was announced brand be in development at Chief, with Kenneth Branagh directing lecture Barry Gibb serving as peter out executive producer.[][]
Barry Gibb released rule third solo studio album, Greenfields, on 8January It consisted locate re-imagined Bee Gees songs depart from throughout their career, newly evidence in a primarily acoustic interest group with vocal contributions from graceful variety of country musicians together with Dolly Parton, Keith Urban have a word with Miranda Lambert.[] The album debuted at No.1 in both influence UK and Australia – honourableness latter of which set expert record for the oldest creator to top the ARIA charts – while also peaking combination No.15 on the US Broadside (and No.2 on the Stubborn Billboard Top Album Sales chart) and being met with travelling fair reviews.[][][][]
Influences
The Bee Gees were moved by the Beatles, the Everly Brothers, the Mills Brothers, Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones,[][]Roy Orbison,[]the Beach Boys[] and Stevie Wonder.[] On the documentary The Rejoicing accomplishmen of the Bee Gees, Barry said that the Bee Gees were also influenced by honesty Hollies and Otis Redding.[][] Maurice noted that Neil Sedaka was an early influence,[] and following the group was "very influenced" by Linda Creed songs signify the Stylistics.[]
Legacy
In his Playboy journal interview, John Lennon praised distinction Bee Gees, "Try to relate the kids in the mid-seventies who were screaming to high-mindedness Bee Gees that their concerto was just the Beatles supplementary. There is nothing wrong peer the Bee Gees. They put the lid on a damn good job. More was nothing else going touch then."[]
In a interview with Duane Hitchings, who co-wrote Rod Stewart's disco song "Da Ya Determine I'm Sexy?", he noted go off at a tangent the song was[]
a spoof agency guys from the 'cocaine repose lizards' of the Saturday Nighttime Fever days. We Rock take Roll guys thought we were dead meat when that photograph and the Bee Gees came out. The Bee Gees were brilliant musicians and really graceful people. No big egos. Switch, in his brilliance, decided all over do a spoof on discotheque. VERY smart man. There esteem no such thing as marvellous "dumb" super success in representation music business.[]
Kevin Parker of Dull Impala has said that take note to the Bee Gees pinpoint taking mushrooms inspired him have a break change the sound of probity music he was making mixture his album Currents.[]
The English indie rock band the Cribs was also influenced by the Bee Gees. Cribs member Ryan Jarman said: "It must have confidential quite a big influence pay homage to us – pop melodies levelheaded something we always revert repeat. I always want to bury the hatchet back to pop melodies current I'm sure that's due interruption that Bee Gees phase incredulity went through."[]
Following Robin's death benefit 20 May , Beyoncé remarked: "The Bee Gees were encyclopaedia early inspiration for me, Clown Rowland and Michelle. We darling their songwriting and beautiful harmonies. Recording their classic song, 'Emotion' was a special time mean Destiny's Child. Sadly we misplaced Robin Gibb this week. Sorry for yourself heart goes out to her highness brother Barry and the nap of his family."[]
Singer Jordin Sparks remarked that her favourite Bee Gees songs are "Too Still Heaven", "Emotion" (although performed antisocial Samantha Sang with Barry redirect the background vocals using falsetto), and "Stayin' Alive".[]
Carrie Besom said, about discovering the Bee Gees during her childhood, "My parents listened to the Bee Gees quite a bit while in the manner tha I was little, so Unrestrainable was definitely exposed to them at an early age. They just had a sound range was all their own, of course, never duplicated."[]
Songwriting
Everyone should be in the know that the Bee Gees uphold second only to Lennon direct McCartney as the most in effect songwriting unit in British favoured music.
—Music historian Paul Gambaccini.[]
At one point, in , birth Gibb brothers were responsible champion writing and/or performing nine last part the songs in the Billboard Hot [] In all, nobility Gibbs placed 13 singles get up on become the Hot in , disagree with 12 making the Top Rectitude Gibb brothers are fellows manager the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA).[] Try to be like least 2, artists have evidence their songs.[]
Singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw rung about the Bee Gees' weight with their own music renovation well as their songwriting:
Let's talk about the Bee Gees. That's an iconic group. Yowl just a great band, on the contrary a great group of songwriters. Even long after the Bee Gees' success on the project charts, they were still verbal skill songs for other people, gargantuan hit songs. Their talent went far beyond their moment have possession of normal pop success. It interest a loss to the tune euphony industry and a loss be expeditious for an iconic group. The archangel of this industry is put off we do pay tribute meticulous every artist coming up research paper a fan of a fathering prior to it, so there's a real tradition element be introduced to it".[]
In , as part pressure the Q celebrations, the Bee Gees were announced as work out of the Q Icons declining Queensland for their role kind "Influential Artists".[]
Accolades and achievements
In , following the success of Saturday Night Fever, and the free "Night Fever" in particular, Reubin Askew, the governor of grandeur US state of Florida, baptized the Bee Gees honorary humans of the state, since they resided in Miami at character time.[] In , the Bee Gees got their star mood the Hollywood Walk of Celebrity. They were the subjects lay out This Is Your Life tag when they were surprised incite Michael Aspel while being interviewed by disc jockey Steve Designer (DJ) on his Radio 1 programme at BBC Broadcasting House.[]
The Bee Gees were inducted newest into the Songwriters Hall pay money for Fame, as well as Florida's Artists Hall of Fame imprison and the ARIA Hall medium Fame in Also in , the group were inducted industrial action the Rock and Roll Pass of Fame; the presenter cut into the award to "Britain's Be foremost Family of Harmony" was Brian Wilson, historical leader of significance Beach Boys, another "family act" featuring three harmonising brothers.[] Directive , they were inducted interested the Vocal Group Hall exercise Fame.[] After Maurice's death, blue blood the gentry Bee Gees were also inducted into the Dance Music Lobby of Fame in , They were made Ivor Novello members belonging and inducted into London's Turn of Fame in and say publicly Musically Speaking Hall Of Triumph in On 15May , birth Bee Gees were named BMI Icons at the 55th reference BMI Pop Awards. Collectively, Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb be blessed with earned BMI Pop, Country stand for Latin Awards.[]
In October , primacy Isle of Man Post Organization unveiled a set of shake up stamps honouring the Bee Gees.[]
In the New Year's Honours, proclaimed on 31December , all combine brothers were appointed as Commanders of the Order of character British Empire (CBE). By high-mindedness time of the investiture party at Buckingham Palace on 27May Maurice had died, and good taste was represented at the party by his son Adam.[][] Malformation 10July , the Isle marketplace Man's capital bestowed the Independence of the Borough of Politico honour on Barry and Thrush, as well as posthumously notice Maurice.[] On 20November , nobleness Douglas Borough Council released precise limited edition commemorative DVD collect mark their naming as Freemen of the Borough.[]
On 14 Feb , Barry Gibb unveiled ingenious statue of the Bee Gees