Bee Gees - The Legendary Band (Part 3)

     80's brought the album Living Eyes and platinum in the U.S. for soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever. This period also brought solo albums of Barry and Robin Gibb.In 1987 they produced the album E.S.P., which sold over 3 millions copies.
     This time brought them also tragedy, on March 10, in 1988 brother Andy Gibb died at the age 30 (result : an inflammation of the heart muscle due to a recent viral infection). Andy used drugs and alcohol and this combination made his heart more susceptible to the ailment. The Bee Gees recorded the album One With Song, which was dedicated to Andy (Wish You Were Here). This song is in repertoires of many solo singers and also more music bands.

     In the end of 80's, they went to European tour. After returning they had problems. Barry had problems with his back and Maurice drinking problem. Both of these battles were successfully won. In the end of 1997 they prepared a live concert in Las Vegas with name One Night Only. CD from that was sold over 5 million copies. This concert open the world tour, including concerts at London and Sydney. The tour was closed on December 31, 1999.
     In 2001 they recorded their the last album This Is Where I Came In. You can find there only songs, which were composing by Gibbs together. Their last public live show was Live By Request.
     In 2003 there was repeat tragedy in their family, they lost one of the brothers. Now that was Maurice. (he died on January 12, 2003 – strangulated intestine). The surviving brothers decided to leave the name The Bee Gees (for all time this name will represent only these three brothers – Robin, Maurice, Barry) and work on solo albums.
     In 2004 Robin traveled on his solo tour in Germany, Russia and Asia.
     The Bee Gees didn't concentrate only of their own concert, but also contribute to the Music of UNICEF Concert and other charity concerts. In the beginning of next year (January 2005), the brothers Barry and Robin recorded with some other artists album Grief Never Growns Old for Disasters Emergency Committee as official tsunami relief (Memory of victim in tsunami in Asia in the end of 2004).In 2006 brothers presented on recital for a Miami Charity (benefit of Diabetes Research Institute - the first public presentation after Maurice death).

     The Bee Gees were on of the most popular and also one of the most successful music band in the world. They sold over 225 millions records, their songs were covered by many singers and bands such as Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Celine Dion, Ret Hot Chili Pepers, etc. During their career, they also had written many song for many artists such as Kenny Rogers, Samantha Sang, Barbara Streisand, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Dolly Parton, etc.
     The Bee Gees income to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and into Vocal Group Hall of Fame and ARIA Hall of fame. During their existention they got many awards such as est Pop Performance by a Group, Album of the Year, Producer of the Year, Best Arrangement of Voices, Lifetime Achievement Award, Legend Award, etc.
     In 1999 The Post Office in the Isle of Man (where all brothers were born) presented set of six stamps with The Bee Gees.

     Present time: In the end for 2007, Moonlight Publications in Australia presented a new book. The name of its is Spin Dried. There are many new information about The Bee Gees. Robin was presented on German TV show and he attended in concert of Led Zeppelin in London. The band was honoured with a plaque in Brisbane's rock'n roll Walk of Frame. In the same time The Bee Gees were back on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play for the first time in 28 years.
     Brothers wee interviewed at many radios and TV such as BBC, German TV, Channel 4 UK etc.
     In January, surviving brothers issued tribute song Stayin' Alive to their brother Maurice.
     On February had tribute band concert. In the same month, Barry recorded duet with Olivia Newton John for her new album. The Bee Gees came to the Playboy Hall of Fame.
     On March, 2008 - Robin Gibb performed at Dubai Jazz Festival.

Discography
1965 – The Bee Gees Sing and Play 14 Barry Gibb Songs
1966 – Spicks and Specks
1967 – Bee Gees 1st
1968 – Horizontal
1968 – Idea
1968 – Odessa
1970 – Cucumber Castle
1970 – 2 Years On
1971 – Trafalgar
1972 – To Whom It May Concern
1873 – Kife In a Tin Can
1974 – Mr. Natural
1975 – Main Course
1976 – Children of The Wold
1978 – Saturday Night Fever
1979 – Spirits Having Flown
1981 – Living Eyes
1987 – E.S.P.
1989 – One
1991 – High Civilization
1993 – Size Isn't Everything
1997 – Still Waters
2001 – This Is Where I Came In

Movie Music:
1971 – Melody
1977 – Saturday Night Fever
1978 – Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
1983 – Staying Alive

Compilations:
1969 – Best Of Bee Gees
1973 – Best Of Bee Gees, Volume 2
1979 – Bee Gees Greatest
1990 – Tales From The Brothers Gibb, A History In Song 1967-1990
1996 – The Very Best Of The Bee Gees
2001 – Their Greatest Hits, The Record
2004 – Number Ones
2005 – Love Songs
2006 – The Studio Albums 1967-1968

Life records:
1977 – Here At Last, Bee Gees Live
1998 – One Night Only

Past members of the band:
Barry Gibb – rhythm guitar
Robin Gibb – didn't play, but can paly piano, Cello, other instruments
Maurice Gibb – bass guitar, rhythm guitar, lead guitar, piano, organ, mellotron, electronic keyboards, synthesizers, drum tracks
Stephen Gibb – guitar (1998)
Colin Petersen – drums (1967 – 1969)
Vince Melouney — lead guitar (1967 – 1968)
Geoff Bridgeford — drums (1969 – 1972)
Alan Kendall — lead guitar (1971 – 1980, 1987 – 2001)
Dennis Bryon — drums (1974 – 1980)
Blue Weaver — keyboards (1975 – 1980)

Some artists who accompanied the band on their concerts or in studio
Carlos Alomar – guitar
Ray Barretto – bonga
Reb Beach – guitar
Tony Beard – drums
Michael Bennett – keyboards
Matt Bonelli – bass guitar
Tim Cansfield – guitar
David Foster – keyboards
Stephen Gibb – guitar
Reggie Griffin – guitar
Adrian Hales – drums
Steve Jordan – drums
Manu Katché – drums
Jim Keltner – drums
Robbie Kondor – keyboards
Rhett Lawrence – synthesizers
Mike McEvoy – keyboards/guitar
Marcus Miller – bass guitar
Tim Moore – keyboards
Nick Moroch – electric guitar
Russ Powell – bass guitar
Pino Palladino – bass guitar
George "Chocolate" Perry – bass guitar
Greg Phillinganes – keyboards
Steve Rucker – drums
Raphael Saadiq – bass guitar, guitar, programming drums, sing
Marc Schulman – guitar
Steve Skinner – synthesizers
Ben Stivers – keyboards
Michael Thompson – guitar
Peter-John Vettese – keyboards
Waddy Wachtel – guitar
Jeff Porcaro – drums

A Tale of the Bee Gees


Tribute to Maurice Wish You Were Here


Tragedy

Bee Gees - The Legendary Band (Part 2)

     The band started to work on the second album Horizontal, which repeated huge success of the first album. Such as single Massachsetts and also single World. The Bee Gees decided to prepare live concerts, TV shows as promo action for their album Horizontal.
     I can tell that year 1968 was year when The Bee Gees attacked the The American Top Ten (songs I've Gotta Get a Message To You, I Started a Joke, Words, Jumbo, The Singer Sang His Songs, Idea).
     Following tour to promote the album Idea, Vince Melouney left the band. Robin Gibb recorded album Robin's Reign. In the next year they began to record their concert album Masterpeace and double album Odessa. Many critics decided, that this is the best album of The Bee Gees from the 60's.
In 1969 Barry and Maurice recruited their sister Leslie to the band and The Bee gees continued.

     The first compilation became under the name Best of Bee Gees and stayed long time in both hitparade Top Ten (in the U.S. and UK too).
In 1971 it seemed like the band finished. Barry recorded the solo album I'll Kiss Your Memory (never saw official release). Maurice also recorded his solo album Railroad and play as actor in musical West End.
     In the end of the year 1970 the brothers reunited and brought many songs, which again climbed in hitparades (Lonely Days, To Whom It May Concern, How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?).
     During next years they recorded more albums such as Life In a Tin Can, Best ot Bee Gees - Volume 2, Mr. Natural but without strong success.
     At suggestion of Eric Clapton, the trio decided to relocated to America, to Miami, Florida (1975) There they recorded songs Jive Talkin, Nights on Broadway, LP Main Course, Children of The World, single You Should Be Dancing with new disco sound.
     In 1978 they recorded soundtrack for movie Saturday Night Fever and they received Award Grammy. This movie was the turning point of their career and the movie influenced more that one generation in the U.S. and also in the world. Their next three singles (How Deep Is Your Love, Stayin' Alive, Night Fever) were No1 in the U.S. and more countries on the world. Soundtrack Saturday Night Fever was the best selling album of all the time and movie had huge success.
     Barry wrote the title song for the movie Grease. (I watched this movie about 10 times – in three language versions).
     The Bee Gees repeated the success of The Beatles from the year 1964 (April), when their five songs were at the same time in the U.S. Top Ten.
     The expected great success of their movie Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978) with The Bee Gees and Peter Frampton as stars didn't come. The movie had been inspirated by The Beatles album.
     Their younger brother Andy followed them in the music career and achieved success in U.S. charts with his first three singles.
     After success of Saturday Night Fever, followed the album Spirits Having Flown.

Saturday Night Fever


Grease


Stayin' Alive


How Deep Is Your Love

Bee Gees - The Legendary Band (Part 1)

     They don't play country, but as I wrote up, this band is one of my favourite. I remember that moment, when the first time I heard this band. It was song Massachussetts. It was and still is the perfect song. I like it very much. I heard it and from that time I looked for some recording of them. And I had success. I bought CD The Bee Gees – Turn Around, Look At Me. I listened it around and around. Maybe my family was able to start to hate it, but I hope that nothing's matter.
     During life, the person can change own music preferences, but The Bee Gees are classic and that's stay.

     The Bee Gees were band of three singing brothers Gibbs – Barry, Robin, Maurice. Together with ABBA, they are on of the most successful band in the last century.
     All of them were born in Douglas on Isle of Man, lived in England and Australia. Barry was born on September 1, 1946, the twins Robin and Maurice on December 22, 1949. Their parents returned to Manchester in England in 1950. In this town the brothers started to sing public. However they didn't stay there a long time. Already in 1958 they emigrated (with new brother Andy, who was born on March 5, 1958) to Queensland, Australia. Their first performing in front of public was also there. The name of band was Rattlesnakes, later Wee Johny Hayes & the Bluecats. The name Bee Gees was designed for them by DJ Bill Gates and means Brothers Gibb. With this name they became to knowledge of the community.
     From 1960 they worked on the Queensland coast. In 1963 they signed record deal with recording company Festival Records under the name Bee Gees, recorded the first album The Bee Gees Sing And Play 14 Barry Gibb Songs.
In 1966 the Gibb's family decided to return to England. They were afraid of it, but they had success again. In the next year their song Spickes And Specks had gone to No 1 in Australia.
     Their father Hugh Gibb sent their demos to Brian Epstein, who was the manager of The Beatles and also the manager of NEMS (British music store). Brian gave that demos to Robert Stigwood and the band singed a five years contract with recording studio Polydor.
     Their the first international album had huge promotion. They were proclaimed as The Most Significant New Talent Of 1967. Many of people started to compared them with The Beatles. (many of you will not agree with me, but in my opinion, The Bee Gees were better). Their British album New York Mining Disaster 1941 was played on radio in rotation with new album of The Beatles and this helped album to climb in hitparade TOP20 in UK and the U.S.. Their new single To Love Somebody climbed into hitparade again. This song was written originally for Otis Redding by Barry Gibb. Now it is in repertoire of many artists as I don't speak englishRod Stewart, Michael Bolton, The Animals, Janis Joplin etc.

Now The Bee Gees had these members:
Barry Gibb – rhythm guitar
Maurice Gibb – bass
Vince Melouney – lead guitar
Colin Petersen – drums

Massachusetts


Words


How Deep Is Your Love