Bee Gees Biography

The Bee Gees were a Manx-born Anglo-Australian singing trio of brothers — Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb — that became one of the most successful musical acts of all time. The group's name is generally thought to be derived from the initials "B.G.", standing for Brothers Gibb.

The multiple Grammy Award-winning group was successful for all of its forty years of recording music, but it had two distinct periods of exceptional success-- as a harmonic "soft rock" act in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and as the foremost stars of the disco music era in the late 1970s.

No matter the style, the Bee Gees sang tight three-part harmonies that were instantly recognizable; as brothers their voices blended perfectly, not unlike the Beach Boys. Barry sang lead on many songs, and an R&B falsetto introduced in the disco years; Robin provided the clear vibrato lead that was a hallmark of their pre-disco music; Maurice sang high and low harmonies throughout their career. The three brothers co-wrote most of their hits, and they said that they felt like they became 'one person' when they were writing. The group's name was retired after Maurice died in January 2003.

It has been estimated that the Bee Gees' album and single sales total more than 180 million, easily making them part of the list of best-selling music artists. Their 1997 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame citation says "Only Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks and Paul McCartney have outsold the Bee Gees".

The Bee Gees have been incredibly successful, selling in excess of 180 million records and singles worldwide. "How Deep Is Your Love" is their most popular composition, with over 400 versions by other artists in existence.

Their songs have been covered by singers of all stripes including Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Al Green, Eric Clapton, Lulu, Elton John, Tom Jones, and Nina Simone as well as newer acts like Feist singing a soulful "Inside and Out", Steps and Destiny's Child. Songs written by the Gibbs but better known through versions by other artists include, "If I Can't Have You" by Yvonne Elliman, "Chain Reaction" by Diana Ross, "Emotion" by Samantha Sang and Destiny's Child, "Guilty" and "Woman In Love" by Barbra Streisand, "Heartbreaker" by Dionne Warwick, "Islands in the Stream" by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, "Grease" by Frankie Valli, and "Only One Woman" by The Marbles. Even cult grindcore band, Anal Cunt, did a very fast Oi! version of the classic Staying Alive. Many hit covers and album tracks of the Bee Gees' songs have been recorded, and the band's music has also been sampled by dozens of hip hop artists.

The Bee Gees were inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997; fittingly, the presenter of the award to "Britain's first family of harmony" was Brian Wilson, leader of the Beach Boys, America's first family of rock harmony. The Bee Gees were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001 as well as the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1997.

For a further discography of the Bee Gees, see Bee Gees discography.

Barry Gibb plays rhythm guitar.

Robin Gibb usually does not play any instruments.

Maurice Gibb played bass guitar, rhythm and lead guitar, piano, organ, mellotron, and electronic keyboards, synthesizers and drum tracks. From 1966 to 1972 he played multiple instruments on many records. During the late 1970s he played mainly bass guitar. From about 1986 onward he usually played keyboards.

These musicians were considered members of the band:

The Bee Gees were often parodied by British and American comics, on records and television.

A tv sketch by Kenny Everett in which he played all three Gibbs as well as an interviewer, had the Bee Gees answering all of his questions with song quotes. For example: