21 May 2012

Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb dies of cancer

Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb has lost his battle against cancer, his family said, asking for privacy “at this very difficult time”. He was 62.

He passed away after contracting pneumonia. He leaves his second wife, Dwina, his older brother Barry and a daughter and two sons.

“The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery,” Gibb’s family said in a statement. “The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”

Gibb had surgery on his bowel for an unrelated condition, but a tumour was discovered and he was diagnosed with cancer of the colon and, subsequently, of the liver.

It had been thought his cancer was in remission, but the latest deterioration in his health coincided with reports of a secondary tumour.

Gibb’s twin brother and bandmate, Maurice, died from the same bowel condition that initially led doctors to operate on Robin.

Their 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.

Saturday Night Fever

The Bee Gees are best remembered for their contribution to the soundtrack of 1977 film Saturday Night Fever, which turned disco music into a worldwide phenomenon.

Robin Gibb sang its theme tune, Stayin’ Alive, as well as many of their greatest hits in the 1960s and 1970s, including Massachusetts, I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You, Lonely Days, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart and How Deep Is Your Love.

Gibb last performed on stage in February, supporting injured servicemen and women at the Coming Home charity concert held at the London Palladium.