The music world mourned the loss of Colin “Smiley” Petersen, the first official drummer of the legendary 1960s band, Bee Gees, who passed away at age 78 on November 18, 2024, due to an unfortunate fall.
Petersen, an Australian-born musician, played a critical role in crafting the band’s unique sound in their initial seven albums, between 1967 and 1969, leaving a significant mark on their musical journey.
Born on March 24, 1946, in Kingaroy, Queensland, Australia, Petersen earned his nickname “Smiley” following his performance in the 1956 film of the same name. He also had roles in other films such as “A Cry from the Streets” (1958) and “Strange Affection” (1957).
At 20, Petersen relocated to London and joined the Bee Gees, playing alongside the Gibb brothers – Barry, Robin, and Maurice – as well as guitarist Vince Melouney. His contributions can be heard on numerous successful albums of the band, including “Spicks and Specks” (1966), “Bee Gees’ 1st” (1967), “Horizontal” (1968), “Idea” (1968), “Odessa” (1969), and “Cucumber Castle” (1970).
During his tenure with the band, Petersen played on many popular tracks such as “New York Mining Disaster 1941,” “To Love Somebody,” “Holiday,” “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You,” and “I Started a Joke.”
In 1970, Petersen left the Bee Gees due to a fallout with the band’s manager, Robert Stigwood. Despite their disagreement, Stigwood had praised Petersen as “very level-headed” and “a very sophisticated person” with “a good appreciation of good food and wines.”
After his departure from the Bee Gees, Petersen formed a new band, Humpy Bong, and later established a management company with his wife, Joanne Newfield. They had two sons, Jaime and Ben. In 1974, the family returned to Australia where Petersen embarked on a career in painting.
In his later years, Petersen maintained his connection to music by performing with the Best of the Bee Gees tribute band. His death occurred just four days after the passing of Dennis Bryon, the drummer for the Bee Gees during their disco era in the 1970s.
Bryon, the Welsh drummer who provided the driving rhythms behind the Bee Gees’ most iconic hits, passed away on November 14, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 75. His contributions were instrumental in shaping the soundtracks of the 1970s disco era.
Born on April 14, 1949, in Cardiff, Wales, Bryon began playing drums at the age of 14. He first gained prominence with the band Amen Corner in the late 1960s, achieving hits like “Bend Me, Shape Me” and “(If Paradise Is) Half as Nice.” After the group disbanded in 1969, Bryon continued his musical journey, eventually joining the Bee Gees in 1973.
During his tenure with the Bee Gees until 1980, Bryon’s drumming was pivotal in defining the group’s transition to the disco sound. He played on chart-topping tracks such as “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” and “More Than a Woman,” all featured on the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack. Reflecting on the album’s success, Bryon noted, “That’s when I knew this record was big. Very, very big.”
Bryon’s unique achievement of having five songs simultaneously in the top ten of the Billboard chart is a distinction he shares only with Ringo Starr. This feat underscores his significant impact on popular music during that era.
After departing from the Bee Gees in 1980, Bryon relocated to Nashville, Tennessee. There, he continued his musical pursuits, collaborating with artists such as Barbra Streisand, Kenny Rogers, and Andy Gibb. In 2015, he published his autobiography, “You Should Be Dancing: My Life with the Bee Gees,” offering an insider’s perspective on his experiences during the height of the disco movement.
Bryon’s death was announced by his former bandmate, Blue Weaver, who shared, “Dennis has been my friend since we were in our first band together age 15. His great drumming will always Stay Alive.”
Barry Gibb is now the last surviving member of the original Bee Gees, as his brothers Maurice and Robin passed away in 2003 and 2012, respectively. Their younger brother, Andy, died in 1988 at the age of 30.
The deaths of Petersen and Bryon signify a poignant moment in the band’s history, as both drummers were integral to the group’s evolution.
The Bee Gees’ timeless disco hit “More Than A Woman” has gained renewed popularity on TikTok, with hundreds of thousands of videos featuring the classic song, underlining the band’s sustained appeal to digital-age audiences. “The enduring appeal of this timeless track demonstrates the lasting impact and influence of the Bee Gees’ musical legacy,” according to the band’s official website.
A new remix of “Stayin’ Alive” by the eight-time Grammy winner Serban Ghenea has been unveiled, coinciding with a fresh greatest hits collection titled “Timeless: All Time Greatest Hits.” This compilation includes the band’s most popular songs across their prolonged career. Additionally, the band’s classic albums are now accessible on streaming platforms, bringing their music closer to modern audiences.
The Bee Gees’ danceable track “You Should Be Dancing” has sparked a worldwide dance trend through a partnership with DanceOn.
Production of the Bee Gees biopic “You Should Be Dancing” has been postponed by director Ridley Scott due to disagreements with Paramount Pictures over production terms. Written by John Logan, the project has seen multiple director changes, including Kenneth Branagh, John Carney, and Lorene Scafaria before Scott’s involvement.
Scott is now focusing on “The Dog Stars,” set to start filming with 20th Century Studios in April 2025. He suggested that work on the Bee Gees project could resume in September, although this timeline remains tentative.
Earlier casting discussions for the biopic included Oscar winner Rami Malek being considered for the role of Robin Gibb, with Bradley Cooper approached to play Barry Gibb. This biopic would be the first major film focusing on the band’s story.
Barry Gibb, the only surviving member of the original Bee Gees, was recognized in the New Year Honours list alongside Ringo Starr and Darcey Bussell. Gibb continues to uphold the band’s legacy through his solo work and performances.