One of the most successful bands of all time, upon being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, their Hall of Fame citation read: “Only Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks and Paul McCartney have outsold the Bee Gees.”
As of 2013, the group had sold 220M records worldwide.
Our featured song this week “Stayin Alive” was a difficult choice to make as the Gibb brothers had so many great songs that they had both written and recorded. In fact, “Stayin Alive” was one of four consecutive No. 1 hits in the U.S. written by Barry Gibb. This accomplishment broke the Beatles’ 1964 record.
Formed in 1958, the brothers – Robin, Maurice and Barry – perfected three-part tight harmonies and soared during the disco music era in the mid-to-late ’70s. Robin, with the clear vibrato, was the lead vocal for the early hits with Barry’s R&B falsetto becoming their trademark sound in the later years. The Gibb family left Machester, England to migrate to Australia in the ’50s and then later returned in the ’60s at the peak of the Beatles rise to stardom.
Other No. 1 hits in America included “How Can You Mend A Broken Heart,” “Jive Talkin’,” “You Should Be Dancing,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Night Fever,” “Too Much Heaven,” “Tragedy” and “Love You Inside Out.” During a nine-month period beginning in late 1977, seven songs written by the brothers held the top position on the U.S. charts for 27 of 37 consecutive weeks. One of these was Frankie Valli’s “Grease.”
All good things ultimately come to an end, and the Bee Gees were no exception. With the unfortunate deaths of Maurice in 2003 and Robin in 2012, the Hall of Fame brothers trio ended their incredible run into music history. It is fortunate for Top Forty followers worldwide to still enjoy their sound indefinitely.
Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.
