Bee Gees star Robin Gibb dies, aged 62

[dutchman]

Robin Gibb has died at the age of 62.



The Bee Gees star was reported to have passed away earlier today (May 20) after a lengthy battle with colon and liver cancer.

Gibb's family confirmed the news in a statement, saying: "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.

"The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time."

Gibb had been diagnosed with colon and liver cancer in 2011, from which he announced he had recovered in February. In April, he suffered a pneumonia setback before slipping into a coma, but was last week revealed to be awake and responsive in hospital.

Before his cancer diagnosis, Gibb had been working on classical composition The Titanic Requiem to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the disaster, but was too ill to attend its premiere in April in London.

Robin Gibb, along with brothers Maurice and Barry, formed the Bee Gees in 1958, with the trio's best-known hits including 'Saturday Night Fever', 'Stayin' Alive' and 'How Deep Is Your Love'.

The Bee Gees earned nine Grammys and inductions into the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame during a career spanning six decades and millions of records sold worldwide.

Gibb is survived by Barry, wife Dwina, daughters Melissa and Snow Robin and sons Spencer and Robin-John.

[rebbonk]

RIP - Another of my childhood heroes passes away

[dutchman]

Robin Gibb died of kidney failure, says son

Robin Gibb died due to kidney failure, his son RJ has revealed.

The Bee Gees star was thought to have passed away on May 20 as a result of colon and liver cancer, which he had been battling for some time.

"The end was peaceful and dignified, there were no theatrics. It was only later that I cried and cried," RJ told the Sunday Express, "It wasn't the cancer that killed my father; those reports are wrong.

"Dad had actually gone into remission and the cancer was completely unrecognisable, it was too small to detect. No scan could see it. He actually died of kidney failure.

"Three days before, he was sitting up and watching DVDs and then suddenly he had a seizure. He was then dosed with sedatives to deal with the side effects of his chemotherapy and his liver just couldn't process them."

RJ also revealed the family's plans for the singer's funeral.

"We've been discussing hymns and songs," he said. "There will be some Bee Gee tracks, though we don't know which yet, and maybe Roy Orbison's 'Crying'. My father loved Roy's music and they were great friends."

Robin was "the sound of the Bee Gees" in the early days and the only member of the group who could hold his own singing solo. Sadly, the others minimised his vocal contribution in later years.

Here is a clip of Robin singing solo. There's a slightly better quality version of it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28cWHwjlW_4