Bee Gee Robin Gibb in coma with pneumonia
Bee Gees star Robin Gibb remains in a coma after contracting pneumonia in his battle against cancer.
The 62-year-old singer’s family maintained their vigil at his bedside at a hospital in Chelsea, west London on Sunday.
Wife Dwina smiled and son Robin-John waved to photographers as they entered the central London hospital around 1.30pm.
It had been thought his cancer was in remission as early as last month, but the latest deterioration in his health coincides with reports of a secondary tumour.
A statement on the singer’s website RobinGibb.com said: “Sadly the reports are true that Robin has contracted pneumonia and is in a coma. We are all hoping and praying that he will pull through.”
The star’s Facebook page has been inundated with goodwill messages from fans across Europe, the USA, China and Australia.
Narcisse Lacroix, from the Czech Republic, described how Mr Gibb’s voice was one of the first she was permitted to hear as the strict ban on Western music was eased in the former socialist state.
She wrote: “The first time I heard your voice when I was 11 years old, it seems to be so long ago. In that time our broadcasters started to play western music and I learned my first English words with listening to ‘Sinking Ships’, ‘I Started a Joke’ and ‘Holiday’ with a dictionary in my hand.
“I had and I still have a lot of other beloved interpreters of music and loves in real life but you are a love that lasted, some kind of a soul-mate and you always will be. I pray for you.”
Jodelle McElrath Wilson of New York said: “The dulcet tones of your family bridged the generational gap between my parents and myself. We all love your music. God speed. Be well.”
Gibb’s younger brother Andy, who was not part of the Bee Gees but a successful singer in his own right, died in 1988 from heart failure at the age of 30.
Robin Gibb has enjoyed a musical career spanning six decades, from humble beginnings as part of a sibling trio in 1950s Manchester to his most recent classical venture, a requiem for The Titanic.
In the interim, he sang some of the 1960s and 1970s greatest hits, including Massachusetts, I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You, Lonely Days, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, How Deep Is Your Love and Stayin’ Alive.
Gibb last performed on stage in February, supporting injured servicemen and women at the Coming Home charity concert held at the London Palladium.
