- British band formed in 1958, by the three Gibb brothers – Barry (vocals, guitar), Robin (vocals, guitar, keyboards) and Maurice (vocals, guitars, keyboards). Maurice died in 2003 at the age of 53, from a heart attack, while awaiting emergency surgery to repair a strangulated intestine. Robin died in 2012 at the age of 62, of colorectal cancer. Barry today is alive and well at the age of 70.
- They were inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. They have sold over 120 million records worldwide, putting them in the top 30 acts of all time.
- The band was successful throughout its career from 1958 until 2003, and again later (without Maurice) from 2009 to 2012. Most notable was their success in the late 60s/early 70s, followed by their rebirth as the kings of disco music from the mid to late 70s.
- The soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever will forever cement their legacy. This album has sold over 40 million copies worldwide – the seventh largest selling album of all time. In 1978, they held the top 2 positions at the same time on the US charts for Night Fever and Stayin’ Alive – the first act to do that since the Beatles. The record earned them 5 Grammy Awards. They also received 3 special Grammy awards of merit.
- In addition to the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, they released 22 studio albums between 1965 to 2001.
- The Bee Gees sound features their unique vocals – another act that has amazing harmony. Robin was featured in the earlier hits, showcasing his vibrato voice (eg, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart). Barry’s remarkable falsetto was prevalent during the disco years (eg, Night Fever, More Than A Woman).
- Personally, I don’t find disco music particularly noteworthy (though I am a sucker for a drum beat and bass line, and disco certainly tends to have those). The exception is the Bee Gees – their music, their singing skills are unrivaled. So, put on your dancing shoes, and check out this vintage video of Stayin’ Alive. Sing Barry Sing!
The only “disco” music I would listen too.