Bee Gees no more, but plenty on their plates
Lawrie Zion
July 14, 2005

IT may not be a band reunion as such, but 2006 could still turn out to be the year of the Bee Gees. Three years after the death of founding member Maurice Gibb, his brothers Barry and Robin are planning a celebration of their music.

Although they have maintained their promise not to perform again under the Bee Gees moniker, Billboard magazine reports that several Bee Gees events have been scheduled for next year.

These include a Maurice Gibb tribute album, a free summer concert in New York's Central Park, a television special, a Broadway musical, possibly a book and even a remake of the 1977 hit movie Saturday Night Fever.

The projects are being planned just as the publishing rights for the Bee Gees' music catalogue - worth $US150 million ($200 million) according to one recent estimate - is set to revert to the brothers from Universal Music. This figure is consistent with the $80 million estate inherited by Maurice's widow, Yvonne, earned through royalties from hit songs such as Stayin' Alive, Massachusetts and How Deep is Your Love.

Maurice Gibb, who was Robin's twin, died in January 2003 following complications from a twisted intestine.


Known for their close falsetto harmonies, catchy tunes and big hair, the Bee Gees moved with their family to Australia from Britain in 1958. Soon after arriving, they began performing in Brisbane as the Brothers Gibb, before becoming known as the Bee Gees. After their hit 1966 single Spicks and Specks, they returned to Britain and soon had trans-Atlantic success with New York Mining Disaster 1941.

Their greatest recording success was to come a decade later, however, when they helped popularise disco music with their soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever. The album eventually sold 40 million copies and the Bee Gees went on to become one of the biggest selling acts in music history, selling 110million albums.

The Maurice Gibb tribute album is expected to feature contributions from Paul McCartney, Wyclef Jean, Snoop Dogg and Sheryl Crow.

The Bee Gees stage musical, named after their hit You Win Again, is being modelled on shows such as ABBA's Mamma Mia! and Queen's We Will Rock You. According to Billboard it is expected to open on Broadway and London's West End late next year. The story revolves around a fashion designer who falls in love with a model.

Although there are no plans as yet for either the musical or the surviving Gibb brothers to tour Australia, a spokeswoman for Universal Music says Australia will be at the top of the list should the brothers embark on a global tour

"a remake of the 1977 hit movie Saturday Night Fever"


in other Bee Gees news...Barry Gibb is currently producing a new album for Barbra Streisand.It's the first time they have teamed up since her multi-platinum 1980 album 'Guilty'.

DavidEye said:

I was wondering about this. Haven't heard anything about it since it was announced.

RipHer2Shreds said:

It's supposed to be released by year's end.

DavidEye said:

September, apparently.

Better news is that Barry says that he hopes their back catalogue will be re-released in the next two years. About freakin' time.

Cloudbuster said:

Remasters? That would be nice.

onenitealone said:

Cloudbuster said:

Cant see them remastering "esp" though. That record is so digitalised. Love it though.

thesexofit said:

Cloudbuster said:

that's what you said a few years ago!

DavidEye said:

Well, that's what I heard. But Barry has said on his recent online chat that once the masters are returned to them from Universal that he expects the entire back catalogue to be re-issued. So it might really happen this time.

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[Edited 7/21/05 6:26am]

DavidEye said:

Not that he's bitter at all!

RipHer2Shreds said:

Cloudbuster said:

Whats wrong? I take it u dont like that album much

NOOOOO!!!!! Please Lord!! Please let there NOT be a "remake" of "Saturday Night Fever"!!! Halle Berry remaking "Foxy Brown" is bad enough, but leave "Saturday Night Fever" alone!

SPYZFAN1 said:

Yeah,a remake would suck big time.

thesexofit said:

It ain't that. Just wonderin' why you said what you said about it not being remastered. It'll likely be done along with all the others. No reason why it shouldn't be.

Cloudbuster said:

u ain't no fan....poser.



















Celìne giving them vocal lessons.

Cheeky lil bastid!

I actually like the song of theirs that Celine did.

I guess you have her picture on your wall.

Cloudbuster said:

forget 'ESP'...I want the 70s albums remastered ('Main Course','Children Of The World' (their best album imo) and 'Spirits Having Flown').

DavidEye said:

Main Course is the best.


You ever heard ESP?

Cloudbuster said:

I don't think I have.Is this the album with the singles "One" and "Bodyguard"? I do like those songs.

DavidEye said:

No, they're from the album One released in '89. It's actually a good set apart from a couple of tracks. The two you mentioned are indeed great songs. ESP was the album before it in '87. You'd probably know the single You Win Again which was a number one pretty much everywhere except the US. It's a decent album, too. But I prefer One.

I love all their 70's albums - especially Main Course, Children..., and of course Saturday Night Fever - but I'd LOVE a remaster of Spirits Having Flown. Falsetto city!

onenitealone said:

I do like Spirits but them falsettos start to drill into my skull after about four songs. They shoulda done two or three tracks in real voice, I probably would've found it easier to endure. The writing is top notch, tho'.

Cloudbuster said:

Definitely. 'Spirits...', 'Love You Inside Out' and 'Too MUch Heaven' (especially) are among the best songs they've ever recorded. But I can give or take 'Tragedy'. (Expecially after Steps' monstrosity).

Thanks for that reminder. Steps.

Cloudbuster said:

You love it. I bet you know all the dance moves as well.

"Reachin Out" from the 'Spirits Having Flown' album


but I agree....they went into falsetto overkill on this album