alandail said:

Something written and recorded by Barry and/or Robin has hit the top 10 or better on some chart somewhere in the world every decade for 6 decades now. The first charted in 1963, they first hit #1 in 1966.

Here's a complete list of singles the Bee Gees released as a group and where they charted (a total of 74 songs charted somewhere - this doesn't count solo songs or songs written for other artists)

http://top5000-rocketman5000.blogspot.com/2012/03/hits-list-bee-gees.html

I stumbled across that page a couple of weeks back, though I was already familiar with the stats from elsewhere.

As writers they have scored a top ten hit in one country or another every year from 1966 through to 2007!

It's possible it stretches beyond that but the info I've seen only goes up to that year.

And, as the Bee Gees, they also hit the top 10 every year from 1966 until 1983 when they split for three years to focus on solo/side projects.

Of course, for anyone that is "serious about music" (whatever that means) it's all about The Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin, Dylan, Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Bowie, U2, REM, The Doors, Radiohead, Nirvana...etc

Yeah, they're all great, but talk about someone else for a change.

I do suspect that the reason the Gibb's achievements are overlooked is partly because they helped bridge the gap between popular black and white music forms (we can't allow that, can we!) and they probably did it better than anyone else. But obviously that isn't worthy of any praise.

They just weren't "rock" enough for the snobs.

.

[Edited 4/18/12 17:50pm]

Cloudbuster said:

alandail said:

Something written and recorded by Barry and/or Robin has hit the top 10 or better on some chart somewhere in the world every decade for 6 decades now. The first charted in 1963, they first hit #1 in 1966.

Here's a complete list of singles the Bee Gees released as a group and where they charted (a total of 74 songs charted somewhere - this doesn't count solo songs or songs written for other artists)

http://top5000-rocketman5000.blogspot.com/2012/03/hits-list-bee-gees.html

I stumbled across that page a couple of weeks back, though I was already familiar with the stats from elsewhere.

As writers they have scored a top ten hit in one country or another every year from 1966 through to 2007!

It's possible it stretches beyond that but the info I've seen only goes up to that year.

And, as the Bee Gees, they also hit the top 10 every year from 1966 until 1983 when they split for three years to focus on solo/side projects.

Of course, for anyone that is "serious about music" (whatever that means) it's all about The Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin, Dylan, Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Bowie, U2, REM, The Doors, Radiohead, Nirvana...etc

Yeah, they're all great, but talk about someone else for a change.

I do suspect that the reason the Gibb's achievements are overlooked is partly becasue they helped bridge the gap between popular black and white music forms (we can't allow that, can we!) and they probably did it better than anyone else. But obviously that isn't worthy of any praise.

They just weren't "rock" enough for the snobs.

.

[Edited 4/18/12 15:49pm]

Cloudbuster said:

alandail said:

Something written and recorded by Barry and/or Robin has hit the top 10 or better on some chart somewhere in the world every decade for 6 decades now. The first charted in 1963, they first hit #1 in 1966.

Here's a complete list of singles the Bee Gees released as a group and where they charted (a total of 74 songs charted somewhere - this doesn't count solo songs or songs written for other artists)

http://top5000-rocketman5000.blogspot.com/2012/03/hits-list-bee-gees.html

I stumbled across that page a couple of weeks back, though I was already familiar with the stats from elsewhere.

As writers they have scored a top ten hit in one country or another every year from 1966 through to 2007!

It's possible it stretches beyond that but the info I've seen only goes up to that year.

And, as the Bee Gees, they also hit the top 10 every year from 1966 until 1983 when they split for three years to focus on solo/side projects.

Of course, for anyone that is "serious about music" (whatever that means) it's all about The Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin, Dylan, Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Bowie, U2, REM, The Doors, Radiohead, Nirvana...etc

Yeah, they're all great, but talk about someone else for a change.

I do suspect that the reason the Gibb's achievements are overlooked is partly because they helped bridge the gap between popular black and white music forms (we can't allow that, can we!) and they probably did it better than anyone else. But obviously that isn't worthy of any praise.

They just weren't "rock" enough for the snobs.

.

[Edited 4/18/12 17:50pm]

Thanks for the facts.

The BeeGee's have a VERY impressive record. One of the best in Pop Music history. And even if people weren't talking about them quite as much as the other iconic acts you mention above... if you stop and think about it - their music was ALWAYS so pervasiveu on the radio airwaves (when that's where people used to listen to music) Before I ever purchased any of their albums - I knew every word to every song.

I have always thought that Prince's song "Sexy Dancer" sounded like a Bee Gees' song. The backing vocals to that song sound like something the Gibb brothers would have written. My , although I'm sure some of you will disagree with me, which is perfectly alright.

[Edited 4/18/12 18:12pm]

DiminutiveRocker said:

Thanks for the facts.

The BeeGee's have a VERY impressive record. One of the best in Pop Music history. And even if people weren't talking about them quite as much as the other iconic acts you mention above... if you stop and think about it - their music was ALWAYS so pervasive on the radio airwaves (when that's where people used to listen to music) Before I ever purchased any of their albums - I knew every word to every song.

That's a fair point. I guess I'm just tired of music critics fellating the same artists over and over. It's just boring now.

Anybody remember Robin's solo hit in the 80s, "Boys Do Fall In Love"? I always kinda liked it. Very new wave inspired, kinda cheesy, but undeniably catchy. It was a minor hit in the US, his only Top 40 solo single i believe.

[Edited 4/19/12 13:22pm]

NoVideo said:

Anybody remember Robin's solo hit in the 80s, "Boys Do Fall In Love"? I always kinda liked it. Very new wave inspirted, kinda cheesy, but undeniably catchy. It was a minor hit in the US, his only Top 40 solo single i believe.

loved it along with Barry's Shine Shine from around the same time when they were doing solo stuff because everyone applied the stigma of the "bee gees" and they couldnt do anything but write for others as soon as they =put the bee gee name on it people dismissed it

An update on Robin

A source close to the 62-year-old music legend, who slipped into unconsciousness last week, revealed there had been signs of him recovering.

Loved ones have been playing music to try to stimulate a response and elder brother Barry even sang to him on a visit to his bedside.

The source said: “There were flickers of life from Robin. His eyes moved and there was an attempt at speech.

“It was a good sign he is fighting hard for his life but he is certainly not out of the woods yet. The family have to remain very cautious.”

http://www.thesun.co.uk/s...-coma.html

[Edited 4/19/12 18:23pm]

alandail said:

An update on Robin

A source close to the 62-year-old music legend, who slipped into unconsciousness last week, revealed there had been signs of him recovering.

Loved ones have been playing music to try to stimulate a response and elder brother Barry even sang to him on a visit to his bedside.

The source said: “There were flickers of life from Robin. His eyes moved and there was an attempt at speech.

“It was a good sign he is fighting hard for his life but he is certainly not out of the woods yet. The family have to remain very cautious.”

http://www.thesun.co.uk/s...-coma.html

[Edited 4/19/12 18:23pm]

I'd remain cautious too. I've read stories where people seem to have "flickers" of life and then fade away again. God bless Robin and the Gibbs though.

yes, certainly remain cautious, but it is good to finally hear some sort of positive news. Hopefully there's more positive news to come. The other part I bolded, that Barry is singing to Robin to try to bring him out of the coma - I saw that earlier and was actually looking for that article to post when I saw the one I just posted.

alandail said:

yes, certainly remain cautious, but it is good to finally hear some sort of positive news. Hopefully there's more positive news to come. The other part I bolded, that Barry is singing to Robin to try to bring him out of the coma - I saw that earlier and was actually looking for that article to post when I saw the one I just posted.

I saw it as a headline on Mirror.com but I didn't click on it. This is quite interesting. Wonder if music can really save someone out of dire straits like that. That's an interesting strategy. Then again, this family was born with music in 'em so I guess that's not a surprise.

Best wishesbbs family.

My science teacher said he used to throw rocks at the Gibbs brothers when he lived in Brisbane.

alandail said:

An update on Robin

A source close to the 62-year-old music legend, who slipped into unconsciousness last week, revealed there had been signs of him recovering.

Loved ones have been playing music to try to stimulate a response and elder brother Barry even sang to him on a visit to his bedside.

The source said: “There were flickers of life from Robin. His eyes moved and there was an attempt at speech.

“It was a good sign he is fighting hard for his life but he is certainly not out of the woods yet. The family have to remain very cautious.”

http://www.thesun.co.uk/s...-coma.html

[Edited 4/19/12 18:23pm]

Hoping for the best and to hear good news down the line.

Cloudbuster said:

As writers they have scored a top ten hit in one country or another every year from 1966 through to 2007!

It's possible it stretches beyond that but the info I've seen only goes up to that year.

And, as the Bee Gees, they also hit the top 10 every year from 1966 until 1983 when they split for three years to focus on solo/side projects.

Of course, for anyone that is "serious about music" (whatever that means) it's all about The Beatles, Stones, Zeppelin, Dylan, Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Bowie, U2, REM, The Doors, Radiohead, Nirvana...etc

Yeah, they're all great, but talk about someone else for a change.

[Edited 4/18/12 17:50pm]

I figure that their best chance of getting some of the respect they deserve is if Spielberg ever makes the movie about them that is supposed to be in the works. He called their story "Box office gold".

Timmy84 said:

The industry did not know what to make of the Bee Gees. People used to dismiss them as a poor man's Beatles when they came out - though their music was their own. Then when they began to have numerous hits, they were deemed a disco act. I think the passage of time and people realizing "oh wait they wrote that! Oh they wrote that?" That's why they got in the Hall really.

to me the Gibb Brothers are about the best songwriters ever, mainly because they did it all together, Lennon and McCartney were great but on their own, they almost never worked in unison, especially on the greater material which was 1965-on. Thing is i have watched their dvd "in their own words" which is basically from the beginning all the way up too two years ago, so its everything in their career, these guys understand music better than anyone, they created songs that will outlive them by years and years, and like the Beatles they had a "george martin" and that was "robert stigwood" and then later on had "arif mardin" who is the best producer ever, and probably one of the last we will ever see, maybe next too t bone burnett.

The bee gees also took shit that NO ONE has ever dealt with, i crack up when people like beyonce or chris brown or katy perry or the kardashians cry about "backlash", really....look at the backlash the bee gees dealt with a few years after "fever" records being blown up in a chicago stadium, radio stations ADVERTISING "bee gee" free weekends, bomb threats etc...no one deals with that now or has ever since. TO me the Bee Gees, rank just as high as the Beatles, they just didnt have the initial mania, but the "fever" thing, nothing like that is ever gonna happen again, no one is gonna take over like that EVER again.

Robin Gibb didn't just show signs of life, he woke from his coma.

Bee Gee Robin Gibb has shown signs of recovery following his family’s desperate attempts to bring him out of his coma, it has been claimed.

Brother Barry, 65, has been singing to the stricken star, who slipped into a coma last week after suffering pneumonia while battling liver and colon cancer.

The 62-year-old’s children, Robin-John, Melissa and Spencer have also been playing music to their father to “try to bring him back to us”.

Robin’s loyal wife Dwina has reportedly revealed that he has been nodding his head and communicating with friends and family, who have been keeping a vigil at his bedside.

The music legend is even believed to have wept as Roy Orbinson’s hit Crying was played to him.

Speaking outside the London hospital where Robin is being treated, Dwina said: “He’s moving his head and nodding.

“When we’re asking questions he’s responding to them. I can’t believe it.

The Sun reported that an ECG scanner showed that Robin was responding to the music being played to him.

His wife added: “We’re very pleased. We think he might even talk once the tubes come out,” the newspaper reported.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/n...ing-801730

^^ I just read the above article online, and am happy that Robin is improving. I hope he continues to get better.

Cloudbuster said:

This thread needs more Gibb magic.

Just. Fucking. Wow.

Exactly and NO HYPE needed, the performance spoke!! And anyone who says that there is still this kind of brillance and talent existing in todays music that can go out there and do a 10 minute note for note LIVE medley, they are smoking, talent now just even close to being on par, because its not challenged

alandail said:

Robin Gibb didn't just show signs of life, he woke from his coma.

[article was here]

ttp://www.mirror.co.uk/ne...ing-801730

Thanks for posting this fabulous news, alandail @)-}--------

For Mr. Gibb & family.

[Edited 4/21/12 9:41am]

alandail said:

Robin Gibb didn't just show signs of life, he woke from his coma.

Bee Gee Robin Gibb has shown signs of recovery following his family’s desperate attempts to bring him out of his coma, it has been claimed.

Brother Barry, 65, has been singing to the stricken star, who slipped into a coma last week after suffering pneumonia while battling liver and colon cancer.

The 62-year-old’s children, Robin-John, Melissa and Spencer have also been playing music to their father to “try to bring him back to us”.

Robin’s loyal wife Dwina has reportedly revealed that he has been nodding his head and communicating with friends and family, who have been keeping a vigil at his bedside.

The music legend is even believed to have wept as Roy Orbinson’s hit Crying was played to him.

Speaking outside the London hospital where Robin is being treated, Dwina said: “He’s moving his head and nodding.

“When we’re asking questions he’s responding to them. I can’t believe it.

The Sun reported that an ECG scanner showed that Robin was responding to the music being played to him.

His wife added: “We’re very pleased. We think he might even talk once the tubes come out,” the newspaper reported.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/n...ing-801730

Ironically I played a video of Roy Orbison performing "Crying" on some show yesterday so it's odd that's the song that allegedly brought him back to life. Just amazing how this man has kicked death's ass (as Richard Pryor once said about John Wayne).

Healing prayers for Robin...

alandail said:

Robin Gibb didn't just show signs of life, he woke from his coma.

Bee Gee Robin Gibb has shown signs of recovery following his family’s desperate attempts to bring him out of his coma, it has been claimed.

Brother Barry, 65, has been singing to the stricken star, who slipped into a coma last week after suffering pneumonia while battling liver and colon cancer.

The 62-year-old’s children, Robin-John, Melissa and Spencer have also been playing music to their father to “try to bring him back to us”.

Robin’s loyal wife Dwina has reportedly revealed that he has been nodding his head and communicating with friends and family, who have been keeping a vigil at his bedside.

The music legend is even believed to have wept as Roy Orbinson’s hit Crying was played to him.

Speaking outside the London hospital where Robin is being treated, Dwina said: “He’s moving his head and nodding.

“When we’re asking questions he’s responding to them. I can’t believe it.

The Sun reported that an ECG scanner showed that Robin was responding to the music being played to him.

His wife added: “We’re very pleased. We think he might even talk once the tubes come out,” the newspaper reported.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/n...ing-801730

Miracles DO happen!!! I am so glad! Best news all week!

Wonderful! Get better, Robin! We love you...

the latest reports are that he's talking now (which means the breathing tubes are out, thus the pneumonia must be improving), but is still in intensive care weak and malnourished.

alandail said:

the latest reports are that he's talking now (which means the breathing tubes are out, thus the pneumonia must be improving), but is still in intensive care weak and malnourished.

God bless him because ANYTHING can happen... but at least he's talking again and is out of his pneumonia. Pneumonia is often hard to battle. I wish they'd give him a break. It's obvious God knows his work on Earth is not done just yet.

Last night musician and songwriter Robin Gibb woke from his coma and uttered the words “Hello RJ” to his 28-year-old son. Gibb’s doctors have released a statement via Robin's facebook page. Gibb, 62, who was diagnosed with colon and liver cancer in late 2011, lapsed into a coma on April 14th 2012.

In The statement, Gibb’s personal physician and gastroenterologist Dr. Andrew Thilainayagam, medical oncologist Dr. Peter Harper, colorectal surgeon Mr. Roger Springall, and anesthetist Dr. John Goldstone credited Robin Gibb’s “indomitable fighting spirit and remarkable physical endurance” to his amazing recovery.

Dr. Thillainayagam, of Imperial College Healthcare, explained:

“Despite having advanced colorectal cancer, Robin responded extremely well to Dr. Harper’s aggressive chemotherapy treatment, but went on to need two emergency operations in the space of two months. In the aftermath, Robin developed the feared complication of pneumonia when he was very weak and fighting to recover from lifesaving surgery for peritonitis. He failed to respond to chest physiotherapy and intravenous antibiotics. Therefore, I had to transfer him to intensive care for non-invasive, assisted ventilation. Unfortunately, he continued to have worsening respiratory distress and lost consciousness for a number of reasons. Eventually, he developed serious respiratory failure and was unable to ventilate his lungs on his own. We had to place him on artificial ventilation. “

Dr. Thilainayagam went on to explain the severity of Robin Gibb’s condition:

“The prognosis was very grave, given that Robin had brain swelling from liver failure, a severe pneumonia and a weakened immune system from malnutrition. I have managed Robin’s series of acute medical problems very aggressively according to his explicit wishes. However, only three days ago, I warned Robin’s wife, Dwina, son, Robin John and brother, Barry, that I feared the worst. We felt it was very likely that Robin would succumb to what seemed to be insurmountable obstacles to any form of meaningful recovery. As a team, we were all concerned that we might be approaching the realms of futility.”

Thilainayagam gave high praise to Robin Gibb’s “extraordinary courage, iron will and deep reserves of physical strength” which allowed Gibb to “overcome quite incredible odds to get where he is now.”

The doctor issued a statement regarding Robin Gibb’s condition since emerging from his 12-day coma:

“Robin is fully conscious, lucid and able to speak to his loved ones. He is breathing on his own, with an oxygen mask. He is on intravenous feeding and antibiotics. He is of course, exhausted, extremely weak and malnourished. Our immediate goals are to ensure that Robin’s swallowing mechanism is safe enough to allow him to eat and drink, and that he recovers enough strength to breathe effectively, without needing high levels of oxygen by mask. When this happens, we will be able to begin the process of nutritional and physical rehabilitation and may be able to move him from the intensive care unit to the ward.”

The doctor also credits Gibb’s family with helping him on the road to recovery:

“Robin’s wife, Dwina and son, Robin-John, his son Spencer and daughter Melissa have been at his bedside every day, talking to him and playing his favourite music to him. They have been tireless in their determination never to give up on him. “

In conclusion, Dr. Thillainayagam spoke regarding the incredible battle Robin Gibb has ahead of him:

“The road ahead for Robin remains uncertain but it is a privilege to look after such an extraordinary human being”.

http://www.examiner.com/a...s-recovery

alandail said:

I figure that their best chance of getting some of the respect they deserve is if Spielberg ever makes the movie about them that is supposed to be in the works. He called their story "Box office gold".

I've heard no more about that since it was announced a year or so ago.

The public have always responded to their talents yet the majority of white-rock-biased (yawn) critics would rather them be written out of music history. You'd think that they were New Kids On The Block or worse by them being regarded by most as merely that "disco sensation".

lastdecember said:

Exactly and NO HYPE needed, the performance spoke!! And anyone who says that there is still this kind of brillance and talent existing in todays music that can go out there and do a 10 minute note for note LIVE medley, they are smoking, talent now just even close to being on par, because its not challenged

Unfortunately talent ceded its dominance to aesthetics too many moons ago, and it's not likely to be reversed anytime soon.