Robin Gibb
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Robin Gibb |
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Robin Hugh Gibb CBE (born 22 December 1949, Douglas, Isle of Man) is a singer and songwriter. He is best known as a member of the Bee Gees, co-founded with his twin brother Maurice (1949–2003), and elder brother Barry.
Born to English parents, the trio started their musical career in Australia, and found major success when they returned to England. With record sales estimated in excess of 100 million, the Bee Gees became one of the most successful pop groups of all time.[1]
Origins
Born to Barbara (née Pass) and Hugh Gibb on the Isle of Man, Robin was the twin brother of Maurice Gibb, and was the older of the twins by thirty-five minutes. The third-born of five children, he has one older sister, Lesley (born 1945), and three brothers, Barry (born 1946), twin Maurice (born 1949), and Andrew (born 1958). In late 1958, he and his family moved to Brisbane, Australia, settling in one of the city's poorest suburbs, Cribb Island, which was subsequently demolished to make way for Brisbane Airport. Their music careers began in Australia, and flourished when they returned to England in 1967 and were spotted by Robert Stigwood.
Solo career
Traditionally, Robin's role in the group has been that of lead singer, for which he vied constantly with his elder brother Barry Gibb during the group's first period of British success in the late 1960s. This eventually resulted in Robin leaving the group to begin a solo career after his song "Lamplight" was relegated to the 'B' side of Barry's "First of May". Meanwhile, there were rumours of drug problems, and his parents threatened to have him made a ward of court (the UK age of majority at that time being 21, and Robin then only 19).
Although initially successful, with a number 2 UK hit, "Saved by the Bell" (which sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc)[2] his album, Robin's Reign, was less successful and he found that being a solo artist was less than satisfying. He reunited with his brothers, despite having almost completed a second solo album, "Sing Slowly Sisters", who had disbanded the Bee Gees in search of their own solo careers. They came back on a high note, reaching the top of the U.S. charts for the first time with the song "Lonely Days" in 1970.[3] The following year, they had their second U.S. #1 hit, "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart", but then their success started to ebb. After they started working with producer Arif Mardin in 1974 and reinvented themselves with "Blue-Eyed Soul," the Bee Gees went on to their second period of phenomenal success in the disco-era late 1970s.[4]
He also made an appearance on the Sesame Street Fever album, singing on the title track, then doing a song for Oscar the Grouch called "Trash", along with speaking on at least one other song.
While continuing in the group, Robin also promoted his solo career, and during the 1980s he released three further solo albums (How Old Are You, Secret Agent, and Walls Have Eyes) which were more successful in Continental Europe than in the UK or USA. However, his 1984 single "Boys Do Fall in Love" did reach the Billboard top 40.
In the same week as his twin brother Maurice's sudden death, Robin's next solo album, Magnet, was released in Germany on 27 January 2003 (Label: SPV), and worldwide shortly afterwards. It features the old Bee Gees classic "Wish You Were Here" in a new acoustic version. The lead single, "Please" has coincidental lyrics about "loss". With Maurice's death, his two surviving brothers Robin and Barry disbanded the Bee Gees for a time; however, it was announced in late 2009 that Barry and Robin would reform and perform as the Bee Gees again.
Robin has recently sung the vocals to the opening titles to "The Dame Edna Treatment".
On 18 May 2008, Robin released the song "Alan Freeman Days" in tribute to the Australian DJ Alan Freeman. The song was mainly issued as a download only track although a promotional CD was issued by Academy Recordings. In December of the same year the song was followed by another downloadable song entitled "Wing and a Prayer" which although it shares the same name as a song the Bee Gees issued on their 1989 One album is actually a reworking of the song, "Sing Slowly Sisters", that had remained unreleased since 1970.[5] A week later Robin issued another song as a download, "Ellan Vannin (Home Coming Mix)", featuring the King Williams College Choir from the Isle of Man.[6]
A new solo album entitled 50 St Catherine's Drive, originally scheduled for release in 2008, remains unreleased. In August 2009 a 50 second clip of "Instant Love" from said album appeared as a preview. The song itself is a collaboration with his son Robin-John and a second version featuring Robin-John on vocals appeared in a short film called Bloodtype: The Search in which Robin-John appeared.[7]
Collaborations
In August 2003, Robin announced that he would be releasing a new single of "My Lover's Prayer", a song first recorded by the Bee Gees in 1997, with vocals by Robin, Wanya Morris, and Lance Bass. This was played on radio, but was never actually released. In October 2003 another version was recorded as a duet with Alistair Griffin, runner-up in the UK television program Fame Academy, on which Robin had appeared as a judge. My Lover's Prayer, was eventually released in the UK in January 2004 as a double A side CD single, and reached number 5 in the UK charts.
In January 2005 Robin joined his brother Barry and several other artists under the collective name of One World Project, to record a charity single in aid of Asian tsunami relief, titled "Grief Never Grows Old". Other artists who performed on the single included Boy George, Steve Winwood, Jon Anderson, Rick Wakeman, Sir Cliff Richard, Bill Wyman, America, Kenny Jones, Chicago, Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys), Russell Watson and Davy Spillane.
In June 2005 Gibb joined X Factor runners up G4 at a sell-out concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London, singing the Bee Gees song "First of May". A recording of this performance was released in December 2005 as part of a double A side single, credited as "G4 feat Robin Gibb" together with G4's own cover of Johnny Mathis' "When a Child is Born". This track was also included on the platinum selling album G4 & Friends which reached number 6 in the UK album charts.
In November 2006, Robin released an album of Christmas carols called Robin Gibb – My Favourite Carols, backed by London choir The Serlo Consort. The album also features a brand new song written by Robin called "Mother of Love", which was released in Europe as a download single. The song was inspired by Maurice Gibb, and is the first new Robin Gibb composition to be published since his twin brother died in January 2003. Royalties of Mother of Love will be donated to the "Janki Foundation for Global Healthcare", and Robin dedicated the song to Dadi Janki, the organisation's spiritual leader. It is also dedicated to Robin's own mother, Barbara Gibb. The album also has a bonus DVD titled A Personal Christmas Moment with Robin Gibb.
Gibb went back to the top of the U.K. charts in 2009 when he collaborated with Ruth Jones, Rob Brydon, and Tom Jones on a new version of "Islands in the Stream", which was written by Gibb and his brothers Barry and Maurice. The new version, inspired by the BBC comedy "Gavin & Stacey", was for the charity Comic Relief.[8]
Concerts
In late 2004, Robin embarked on a solo tour of Germany, Russia and Asia, with Alistair Griffin as the opening act. On his return he released a CD and DVD of live recordings from the German leg of the tour, backed by the Frankfurt Neue Philharmonic Orchestra. A further solo tour of Latin America followed in 2005.
In February 2006, Robin joined his brother Barry live on stage at a charity concert in Hollywood, Florida This was the first time they had performed together since the death of their brother in 2003.
In March 2006 he announced plans for more solo concerts in Shanghai and Portugal. In May 2006, Robin took part in the Prince's Trust 30th Birthday Concert at the Tower of London along with his brother Barry. They sang 3 songs: "Jive Talkin'", "To Love Somebody" and "You Should Be Dancing". In September 2006, Robin Gibb performed "Stayin' Alive" at the Miss World 2006 contest finals in Poland. In November 2006, Robin performed a solo concert, entitled "Bee Gees – Greatest Hits", at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila, the Philippines.
Robin Gibb marked his return to his birthplace by playing a concert at the Isle of Man TT festival in 2007. The Peel Bay TT Festival – 12 February 2007. Robin donated all of his share of the money from this gig to the children's ward at Noble's Hospital, Isle of Man and invited all emergency service staff and marshals for the TT to attend for free.
On 8 September 2007, Robin performed a concert in Salt Lake City, Utah at the Energy Arena for the NuSkin Convention singing a set of Bee Gees hits.
On 25 October 2007, Robin Gibb performed a concert in Sofia, Bulgaria and sang the Bee Gees most famous songs.
On 25 October 2008, to mark the 30th anniversary of Saturday Night Fever topping the UK charts, Robin Gibb performed with special guests including Ronan Keating, Stephen Gateley, Sam Sparro, Sharleen Spiteri, Gabriella Cilmi and Bryn Christopher for the BBC Electric Proms.
Personal life
In 1968 Gibb married Molly Hullis, a secretary in Robert Stigwood's organisation. The couple had survived the Hither Green rail crash, which killed 49 people on the 5 November 1967. They have two children, Spencer and Melissa, but they eventually divorced in 1980 after years of living separate lives, with Robin almost permanently in the USA and Molly remaining in the UK.
Gibb's second wife, Dwina Murphy Gibb, is an author and an artist. She is interested in druidry and is a follower of the Brahma Kumaris. The couple have a son, Robin-John. Robin and Dwina divide their time among the Isle of Man, Miami, and Thame in Oxfordshire.[9]
Robin also sired a child with his live-in housekeeper, Claire Yang. The child, Snow Evelyn Robin Juliet Gibb, was born at the private Portland Hospital in London on November 4, 2008. Dwina reportedly banned Claire Yang from the house after the birth.[10]
Awards
In 1994, Robin Gibb was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and in 1997 the Bee Gees were inducted as a group into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Robin was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2001/2002 New Year's Honours List, along with his brothers Maurice and Barry. The official presentation ceremony at Buckingham Palace was delayed until 2004 owing to Maurice's death.
Robin and Barry Gibb both received Honorary Degrees of Doctor of Music from The University of Manchester in May 2004.
On 10 July 2009, both Robin and Barry were made Freemen of the Borough of Douglas. The award, was also bestowed posthumously on Maurice, therefore confirming the freedom of the town of their birth to all three brothers.
Discography
Gibb's entire song catalogue is published by Universal Music Publishing.
Albums
| Year | Title | United Kingdom |
Germany | United States |
Switzerland | Canada | New Zealand |
Italy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | "Robin's Reign" | – | #19 | – | – | #77 | – | – |
| 1983 | "How Old Are You?" | – | #6 | – | #26 | – | #22 | #13 |
| 1984 | "Secret Agent" | – | #31 | #97 | #20 | – | – | – |
| 1985 | "Walls Have Eyes" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2002 | "Magnet" | #43 | #10 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2006 | "My Favourite Christmas Carols" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
Singles
| Year | Title | United Kingdom |
Germany | United States |
Austria | Switzerland | South Africa |
New Zealand |
Italy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | "Saved By the Bell" | #2 | #3 | – | – | – | #1 | #1 | – |
| 1969 | "One Million Years" | – | #14 | – | – | #6 | – | – | – |
| 1970 | "August, October" | #45 | #12 | – | – | – | – | #11 | – |
| 1978 | "Oh Darling" | – | – | #15 | – | – | – | – | #5 |
| 1980 | "Help Me!" (Robin Gibb with Marcy Levy) |
– | – | #50 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1983 | "Juliet" | #94 | #1 | #104 | #2 | #1 | – | – | #1 |
| 1983 | "How Old Are You?" | #92 | #37 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1984 | "Another Lonely Night in New York" | #71 | #16 | – | – | #19 | – | – | – |
| 1984 | "Boys Do Fall in Love" | #70 | #21 | #37 | #36 | – | #7 | – | #10 |
| 1984 | "Secret Agent" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1985 | "In Your Diary" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1985 | "Like a Fool" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1986 | "Toys" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2002 | "Please" | #23 | #51 | – | – | – | – | #48 | – |
| 2003 | "Wait Forever" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2004 | "My Lover's Prayer" (Robin Gibb and Alistair Griffin) |
#5 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2005 | "First of May" (G4 feat. Robin Gibb) |
– | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2006 | "Mother of Love" | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2007 | "Too Much Heaven" (Robin Gibb and US5) |
– | #7 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2009 | "Islands in the Stream" (Comic Relief w/Robin Gibb) |
#1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
References
- ^ Kellerman, Andy. "Robin Gibb." Allmusic.com URL retrieved 13 August 2009.
- ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 259. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ "Bee Gees Number Ones"
- ^ "Bee Gees Bio"
- ^ "Wing and a prayer"
- ^ "Ellan Vannin (Home Coming Mix)
- ^ "Instant Love"
- ^ "Comic Relief Top U.K. Charts"
- ^ http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23380710-the-pms-wife-the-druid-priestess-and-the-no-sex-guru.do
- ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/09/bee-gee-robin-gibb-has-lo_n_165131.html
External links
- Robin Gibb Official site
- Robin Gibb's MySpace page
- Gibb Songs Magnet by Joseph Brennan
- Words & Music, Fans Of The Brothers Gibb
- Promo Video, My Lover's Prayer
- 1949 births
- Living people
- Manx people
- English-language singers
- English male singers
- English pop singers
- English child singers
- English singer-songwriters
- Musicians from Manchester
- People from Brisbane
- Australian people of English descent
- English record producers
- English tenors
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Ivor Novello Award winners
- Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees
- Bee Gees members
- Grammy Award winners
- Reality television judges
- English expatriates in Australia
- English expatriates in the United States