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How come The Bee Gees never get the respect the Beatles,Stones or even the FRIGGIN Beach Boys get! Seriously now, whats the deal, was it because of the Disco era that these guys dont get their due? Is America that blind and stupid. Im sorry but i rank The Bee Gees right up and in my opnion FAR above the Beach Boys at least, but you cannot deny Barry Gibb and his brothers at least as one of the best Songwriters ever. Just take the first part of there career from 1965-1974 and the amazing music they did and songwriting, and then take what they did from 1975-1979 which to me is create a takeover that has only been done by the Beatles. First of all they WERE THE ONLY artists ever to have 5 songs WRITTEN by them in the Top 10 (the Beatles did that but not all the songs were theirs) also 6 straight number ones which no group has ever done. And even what they did between 1980-2001 can be viewed as some great work, whether it was their own records, or writing countless hits for Kenny Rogers,Diana Ross,Streisand and Dionne Warwick. The whole DISCO thing is really a crappy label to put on them, since they were really just "funking" it up and that was the brainchild of Arif Mardin and Eric Clapton who suggested going to Miami to record. Lets also not forget the "backlash" they endured, blowing up records in a chicago ballpark (though it wasnt just theirs) and also as Barry said countless Radio Stations would have ANTI AND BEEGEE FREE weekends, imagined some dj or station pulled that shit today with all the consolidation and ownership, that would never happen, so when todays artists like Britney,Beyonce or JT complain about "haters" and "Backlash" they have no fucking clue what others went through. To me the Bee Gees always need to be in the same breath when talking of greatness of others like the Beatles, and Barry Gibb should never be excluded from any TOP songwriter list of all time. [Edited 4/17/07 18:20pm] "We went where our music was appreciated, and that was everywhere but the USA, we knew we had fans, but there is only so much of the world you can play at once" Magne F | |
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I agree!!!! I love the Bee Gees and I think it's unfair that some people like to just dismiss them as a "disco group" and that's it. All three are talented, Barry especially. Not only is he an excellent songwriter but he has one of the best/recognizable falsetto's ever. They definitly deserve to get more respect then they do. "And When The Groove Is Dead And Gone, You Know That Love Survives, So We Can Rock Forever" RIP MJ 
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lastdecember said: Seriously now, whats the deal, was it because of the Disco era that these guys dont get their due? Is America that blind and stupid. Im sorry but i rank The Bee Gees right up and in my opnion FAR above the Beach Boys at least, but you cannot deny Barry Gibb and his brothers at least as one of the best Songwriters ever. Just take the first part of there career from 1965-1974 and the amazing music they did and songwriting, and then take what they did from 1975-1979 which to me is create a takeover that has only been done by the Beatles. First of all they WERE THE ONLY artists ever to have 5 songs WRITTEN by them in the Top 10 (the Beatles did that but not all the songs were theirs) also 6 straight number ones which no group has ever done. And even what they did between 1980-2001 can be viewed as some great work, whether it was their own records, or writing countless hits for Kenny Rogers,Diana Ross,Streisand and Dionne Warwick. The whole DISCO thing is really a crappy label to put on them, since they were really just "funking" it up and that was the brainchild of Arif Mardin and Eric Clapton who suggested going to Miami to record. Lets also not forget the "backlash" they endured, blowing up records in a chicago ballpark (though it wasnt just theirs) and also as Barry said countless Radio Stations would have ANTI AND BEEGEE FREE weekends, imagined some dj or station pulled that shit today with all the consolidation and ownership, that would never happen, so when todays artists like Britney,Beyonce or JT complain about "haters" and "Backlash" they have no fucking clue what others went through. To me the Bee Gees always need to be in the same breath when talking of greatness of others like the Beatles, and Barry Gibb should never be excluded from any TOP songwriter list of all time.
[Edited 4/17/07 18:20pm] In a way, you answer your own question. The disco backlash in America is part of the reason. But I think Europe & Asia always gave The Bee Gees their respect despite the setback. The Gibbs Brothers were great songwriters for other artists.[b] | |
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Very very underrated writers indeed  | |
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 The Bee Gees
I recently bought their 'Children Of The World' and 'Spirits Having Flown' CDs.Been enjoying their music alot lately  | |
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Sad 2 say, but I think it's got something to do with a slightly dorky and excitement free image (without the mad genius angle of, say, Brian Wilson)
They are unbelievably good songwriters though, kind of like prince in the way, for a while, they just tossed off hundreds of classic tunes effortlessly. | |
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Fuck knows.
Even Brian Wilson himself has said that in terms of melody and harmony they went way beyond anything the Beach Boys or The Beatles ever achieved. And I agree with him. Truly gifted writers. Maybe they just weren't "rock" enough. And of course, they dared to appeal to women, blacks and gays, too. I mean, it just ain't rock, is it. So they probably lost points for that as well.  | |
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I'll take them over The Beatles, Stones and Beach Boys myself. Feel free to join in the Prince Album Poll 2018! Let'a celebrate his legacy by counting down the most beloved Prince albums, as decided by you! | |
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They got plenty of respect here in the UK a few years ago, with documentaries, and 'tribute shows' with 'celebrities' murdering their songs on TV, and lots of talk of how great songwriters they've been.
I think they're good and unique in a way, especially in having major success in every decade since the '60s, but I can't agree that they're better than Brian Wilson/ Beach Boys and the Beatles; Aside from the superficial brothers harmony group similarity (Beach Boys), I think comparing these to the Bee Gees is like comparing apples and oranges really. 
This is not an insult to them, but I've always felt the Bee Gees were more MOR and 'conventional' than the Beatles/ Beach Boys anyway. But I wouldn't be surprised if the Gibbs made even more money than the Beach Boys, even more when Barry Gibb struck gold working with Barbra Streisand, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers etc. | |
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Bee Gees MOR?
I think they're one of the quirkiest and most playful of pop groups. Their MOR stuff is more often the songs they give away. | |
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Never really cared for the Beach Boys  and truthfully,I listen to the Bee Gees alot more than I play the Beatles. | |
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SoulAlive said: Never really cared for the Beach Boys
and truthfully,I listen to the Bee Gees alot more than I play the Beatles.I actually like the Beach Boys, but the Bee Gees are way more musically versatile and just simply more interesting to my ears. Better rhythms and vocals, too. | |
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I believe that among insiders in the music biz (singers, producers, musicians), they are incredibly loved and well-respected for their great musicianship and solid songwriting, and they are incredibly versatile in many genres. But among the critics and music snobs, they get trashed for being the biggest stars of disco. I remember hearing Barry Gibb on VH1 years ago talking about how they were practically blacklisted on radio after disco went away, yet they had a huge number of songs they wrote for other artists which hit the top ten. He was sort of pissed that radio stations played the songs he wrote yet felt that his group wasn't good enough for radio anymore.
The Bee Gees probably suffered the most backlash, but I noticed the same type of backlash among the arena rock bands of the late 70's and early 80's, especially Foreigner, Styx, REO Speedwagon and Journey. They were huge when punk and new wave were just coming into the scene, and the critics trashed their music as plodding and overbloated. Yet when I listen to their music today, their melodies are better than most music put out today, their harmonies are solid, and their voices are clear and precise. But because a lot of the fans of these bands came from middle America, and the critics were from New York or Los Angeles, there's this sort of snobbery towards the music the masses like.  | |
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speaking of the Bee Gees....a few years ago,I heard that Babyface was producing a Bee Gees tribute album  I wonder whatever happened to that project?
It's probably a good thing that it never materialized.Most likely,it would have been a bunch of today's "artists" trying to sing those songs.Do we really wanna hear someone like Usher singing "Too Much Heaven"?  Or someone like Pink giving us a modern take on "Stayin' Alive"? | |
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SoulAlive said: speaking of the Bee Gees....a few years ago,I heard that Babyface was producing a Bee Gees tribute album
I wonder whatever happened to that project? Never heard of that one. There is supposed to be a tribute album out sometime soon, tho'. Oasis are apparently doing a cover of Lonely Days for it. I can hear them pulling that off. Oh, and the Saturday Night Fever remaster is due in June. Just thought you might like to know.  | |
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Yeah im not a fan of Tribute albums, especially with artists that were so infamous for their sound and vocals. In my book i listen to the Bee Gees more than all of the groups mentioned, i think alot of people dismiss them because they view their early stuff in the mid to late 60's as Beatle-wannabes and then they dismiss the 70's stuff as "them selling out". I think its just really growth of an artist, if you look at Early Beatles stuff you can say its just alot "yeah yeah yeah" type stuff, but look at the growth from that towards Rubber Soul and the White Album. With the Bee Gees i think it was the times changing that were their main influence. If you look at the Beatles the times dictated their changes, the culture,drugs,experimentation of the mid 60's, the Bee Gees were a big part of that life too, I think if the Beatles had continued into the 70's they would have changed with the times of FUNK and RB and Disco, though we will never know. The Bee Gees went through all of those decades and incorporated it into themselves, whether it was the 60's,70's,80's,90's or their last Album in 2001, i think just for their growth and ability to adapt they should be applauded and mentioned in the same class of legends.
I am anxious to hear this new Barry Gibb record, some have labeled it a "country" record but i just think its the times that have changed that suddenly the songwriter stuff is all labeled country now. I totally respected Robin and Barrys decision to not go on after Maurices death, though many dont think he did alot, he was the "michael anthony and Roger taylor" of the group, very underrated for his input among critics. It would have been very strange for them to carry on as a duo, family is different than a band member. [Edited 4/18/07 8:27am] "We went where our music was appreciated, and that was everywhere but the USA, we knew we had fans, but there is only so much of the world you can play at once" Magne F | |
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lastdecember said: Seriously now, whats the deal, was it because of the Disco era that these guys dont get their due? Is America that blind and stupid. Im sorry but i rank The Bee Gees right up and in my opnion FAR above the Beach Boys at least, but you cannot deny Barry Gibb and his brothers at least as one of the best Songwriters ever. Just take the first part of there career from 1965-1974 and the amazing music they did and songwriting, and then take what they did from 1975-1979 which to me is create a takeover that has only been done by the Beatles. First of all they WERE THE ONLY artists ever to have 5 songs WRITTEN by them in the Top 10 (the Beatles did that but not all the songs were theirs) also 6 straight number ones which no group has ever done. And even what they did between 1980-2001 can be viewed as some great work, whether it was their own records, or writing countless hits for Kenny Rogers,Diana Ross,Streisand and Dionne Warwick. The whole DISCO thing is really a crappy label to put on them, since they were really just "funking" it up and that was the brainchild of Arif Mardin and Eric Clapton who suggested going to Miami to record. Lets also not forget the "backlash" they endured, blowing up records in a chicago ballpark (though it wasnt just theirs) and also as Barry said countless Radio Stations would have ANTI AND BEEGEE FREE weekends, imagined some dj or station pulled that shit today with all the consolidation and ownership, that would never happen, so when todays artists like Britney,Beyonce or JT complain about "haters" and "Backlash" they have no fucking clue what others went through. To me the Bee Gees always need to be in the same breath when talking of greatness of others like the Beatles, and Barry Gibb should never be excluded from any TOP songwriter list of all time.
[Edited 4/17/07 18:20pm] PLEASE DON'T DISS BRIAN AND THE BEACH BOYS | |
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I've never liked the Bee Gees, maybe it was the disco angle or maybe i just haven't listened close enough. To compare artists of the British invasion or the Beach Boys is an apples and oranges comparison unless you're talking about influence on other musicians and then it's like Bee Gee's who?
I can't remember ANY artist saying that a Bee Gee's album influenced their perspective but I've heard countless artists reference Sgt. Pepper in that regard. I'm going to keep an open mind because I like Sat. Night Fever and will investigate for my own needs, thanks for the suggestion. | |
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I have always been a fan of the Bee Gees, but I would never say they were better than the Beatles or Stones. They had a unique sound and were great singers/songwriters. They do deserve a lot of respect.
When someone says something like "or even the FRIGGIN Beach Boys", it shows me they don't understand real music. No offence, this is just my thoughts. | |
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Empress said: I have always been a fan of the Bee Gees, but I would never say they were better than the Beatles or Stones. They had a unique sound and were great singers/songwriters. They do deserve a lot of respect.
When someone says something like "or even the FRIGGIN Beach Boys", it shows me they don't understand real music. No offence, this is just my thoughts. I understand real music trust me on that, im not slighting the Beach Boys but i am pointing out there are alot of "hipocracy" in the "legends" category. Brian Wilson is a genius as is Mick Jagger and Lennon/McCartney and many others but to eliminate The Gibb brothers from that is INSANITY. Whether you like them or not, shouldnt be apoint and that they were in the middle of "disco", but lets not forget that Clapton and Arif Mardin the Greatest producer ever, pushed them to do "Jive Talkin" and "You Should be dancing". And i never hear anyone talking about what came before that, their early works is right up there with the "legends" we so praise. Tracks like "New York mining Disaster" "to Love Somebody" "Holiday" "Words" and "Lonely Days" to name a few amongst the genius that they did during the years of 1966-1972, and we cant forget their personal George Martin who was Robert Stigwood, who was just as important to them as George Martin was to the Beatles. Its not a put down of others, its recognizing what they did. "We went where our music was appreciated, and that was everywhere but the USA, we knew we had fans, but there is only so much of the world you can play at once" Magne F | |
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JAMIESTARR said: lastdecember said: Seriously now, whats the deal, was it because of the Disco era that these guys dont get their due? Is America that blind and stupid. Im sorry but i rank The Bee Gees right up and in my opnion FAR above the Beach Boys at least, but you cannot deny Barry Gibb and his brothers at least as one of the best Songwriters ever. Just take the first part of there career from 1965-1974 and the amazing music they did and songwriting, and then take what they did from 1975-1979 which to me is create a takeover that has only been done by the Beatles. First of all they WERE THE ONLY artists ever to have 5 songs WRITTEN by them in the Top 10 (the Beatles did that but not all the songs were theirs) also 6 straight number ones which no group has ever done. And even what they did between 1980-2001 can be viewed as some great work, whether it was their own records, or writing countless hits for Kenny Rogers,Diana Ross,Streisand and Dionne Warwick. The whole DISCO thing is really a crappy label to put on them, since they were really just "funking" it up and that was the brainchild of Arif Mardin and Eric Clapton who suggested going to Miami to record. Lets also not forget the "backlash" they endured, blowing up records in a chicago ballpark (though it wasnt just theirs) and also as Barry said countless Radio Stations would have ANTI AND BEEGEE FREE weekends, imagined some dj or station pulled that shit today with all the consolidation and ownership, that would never happen, so when todays artists like Britney,Beyonce or JT complain about "haters" and "Backlash" they have no fucking clue what others went through. To me the Bee Gees always need to be in the same breath when talking of greatness of others like the Beatles, and Barry Gibb should never be excluded from any TOP songwriter list of all time.
[Edited 4/17/07 18:20pm] PLEASE DON'T DISS BRIAN AND THE BEACH BOYS Its not a diss to the Beach Boys, the Bee Gees should be judged on their full body of work not just "disco", remember they were here long before it and long after it. "We went where our music was appreciated, and that was everywhere but the USA, we knew we had fans, but there is only so much of the world you can play at once" Magne F | |
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because the Bee Gees are nowhere near the calibre of the Beatles, the Stones or even the Beach Boys. "I don't need your forgiveness, cos I've been saved by Jesus, so fuck you." | |
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Tessa said: because the Bee Gees are nowhere near the calibre of the Beatles, the Stones or even the Beach Boys.
 I like them, but I have to agree. I listened to Odessa recently and some of the singing had me laughing aloud. Not Barry, but one of them sounds like a goat.
I think their best stuff is actually the disco. It was big & fun and not too serious. They did some great pop (Words is a great song), but nothing particularly profound or deep. [Edited 4/18/07 11:12am] My Legacy
http://prince.org/msg/8/192731 | |
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Slave2daGroove said: I've never liked the Bee Gees, maybe it was the disco angle or maybe i just haven't listened close enough. To compare artists of the British invasion or the Beach Boys is an apples and oranges comparison unless you're talking about influence on other musicians and then it's like Bee Gee's who?
I can't remember ANY artist saying that a Bee Gee's album influenced their perspective but I've heard countless artists reference Sgt. Pepper in that regard. Michael Jackson Pet Shop Boys George Michael Billy Joel Paul Simon David Bowie Brian Wilson Madonna Noel Gallagher Elton John Just to name a few well respected artists who have named the Bee Gees as an influence. The list goes on and on. | |
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Cloudbuster said: Slave2daGroove said: I've never liked the Bee Gees, maybe it was the disco angle or maybe i just haven't listened close enough. To compare artists of the British invasion or the Beach Boys is an apples and oranges comparison unless you're talking about influence on other musicians and then it's like Bee Gee's who?
I can't remember ANY artist saying that a Bee Gee's album influenced their perspective but I've heard countless artists reference Sgt. Pepper in that regard. Michael Jackson Pet Shop Boys George Michael Billy Joel Paul Simon David Bowie Brian Wilson Madonna Noel Gallagher Elton John Just to name a few well respected artists who have named the Bee Gees as an influence. The list goes on and on. 
I can see some of these people but these bolded artists were successful and making music that influenced people before the Bee Gees knew what success was...maybe it's a case of being musicans' musicans but yeah, the folk Bee Gees may have been good songwriters but they have nothing on these people's musical history. | |
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Slave2daGroove said:
I can see some of these people but these bolded artists were successful and making music that influenced people before the Bee Gees knew what success was...maybe it's a case of being musicans' musicans but yeah, the folk Bee Gees may have been good songwriters but they have nothing on these people's musical history. Their words, not mine.  | |
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The Bee Gees may be judged more kindly as time goes on. But Saturday Night Fever became a joke when disco went out. The hair, the outfits, the chest medallions, the high voices were completely ridiculed, and it hurt the perception of the music, which was actually pretty good.
Also, probably not that many people (UK excepted) even know the earlier stuff, so they only think of them as a disco band. My Legacy
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And what do you mean before the Bee Gees even knew what success was?
They pre-date Elton and Bowie's success by some years. Their first album spent a year on Billboard. What's that if not success? | |
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Cloudbuster said: And what do you mean before the Bee Gees even knew what success was?
They pre-date Elton and Bowie's success by some years. Their first album spent a year on Billboard. What's that if not success? There's my point, people don't know how long the Bee Gees were around. My Legacy
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NDRU said: Also, probably not that many people (UK excepted) even know the earlier stuff, so they only think of them as a disco band.
Don't talk about what you don't know. The Bee Gees were a hugely successful band internationally from the moment they released their first album. . [Edited 4/18/07 12:01pm] | |
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