Robin Gibb

Robin Gibb
CBE
Gibb performing in 1973
Born
Robin Hugh Gibb

(1949-12-22)22 December 1949
Douglas, Isle of Man
Died20 May 2012(2012-05-20) (aged 62)
London, England
Burial placeSt. Mary the Virgin Churchyard, Thame, Oxfordshire, England
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musician
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active1955–2012
Spouses
Molly Hullis
​
​
(m. 1968; div. 1980)​
Dwina Murphy
​
(m. 1985)​
Children4, including Spencer
FatherHugh Gibb
Relatives
Musical career
OriginManchester, England[1]
Genres
InstrumentVocals
Labels
Formerly of
Websiterobingibb.com
Signature

Robin Hugh Gibb CBE (22 December 1949 – 20 May 2012) was a British singer and songwriter. He gained worldwide fame as a member of the Bee Gees with elder brother Barry and twin brother Maurice. Robin Gibb also had his own successful solo career. Their youngest brother Andy was also a singer.[4]

Gibb was born at the Jane Crookall Maternity Home, Douglas on the Isle of Man, to English parents, Hugh and Barbara Gibb; the family later moved to Manchester for three years (where Andy was born) before settling in Redcliffe, just north of Brisbane, Australia. Gibb began his career as part of the family trio (Barry-Maurice-Robin). When the group found their first success, they returned to England, where they achieved worldwide fame. In 2002, the Bee Gees were appointed as CBEs for their "contribution to music".[5] However, investiture at Buckingham Palace was delayed until 2004.[5]

With record sales estimated in excess of 200 million, the Bee Gees became one of the most successful pop groups of all time.[6] Music historian Paul Gambaccini described Gibb as "one of the major figures in the history of British music" and "one of the best white soul voices ever" owing to his distinctive vibrato-laden soulful voice.[7] From 2008 to 2011, Gibb was president of the UK-based Heritage Foundation, which honours figures in British culture. After a career spanning six decades, Gibb last performed onstage in February 2012 supporting injured British servicemen at a charity concert at the London Palladium.[8] After numerous health problems in his final years, including a battle with colorectal cancer, Gibb died in May 2012 at the age of 62 from liver and kidney failure.[9]

As a musician, Gibb primarily played a variety of keyboards, notably piano, organ and Mellotron on the Bee Gees album Odessa (1969); he also played acoustic guitar and organ on his debut solo album Robin's Reign (1970).[10]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference first was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ V. Bogdanov, C. Woodstra and S. T. Erlewine, All Music Guide to Rock: the Definitive Guide to Rock, Pop, and Soul (Milwaukee, WI: Backbeat Books, 3rd edn., 2002), ISBN 0-87930-653-X, pp. 85–6.
  3. ^ "Bee Gees on AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  4. ^ David Browne (20 May 2012). "Robin Gibb, Bee Gees Co-Founder, Dead at 62". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  5. ^ a b "'Bitter-sweet' trip to palace for Bee Gees". The Daily Telegraph. London. 28 May 2004. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  6. ^ Kellerman, Andy. "Robin Gibb." Allmusic.com. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  7. ^ "Sir Cliff leads tributes to Robin Gibb". BBC News. 22 May 2012. Archived from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Bee Gees star Robin Gibb dies after cancer battle". The Daily Telegraph. London. 21 May 2012. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  9. ^ "Gibb died from kidney, liver failure". Toronto Sun. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference february was invoked but never defined (see the help page).