Biography
This page uses content from the Barry Gibb biography page on the English version of Wikipedia and is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. This list of authors can be seen in the page history. Rotten Tomatoes disclaims any and all warranties as to the accuracy or reliability of the content.
Barry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE (born on September 1, 1946 in Douglas, Isle of Man) is a singer, songwriter and producer, hailing from England and Australia. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed the Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time.
See main article Beegees.
Early life
Gibb grew up with his family in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, England. In 1958 his family moved to Brisbane, Australia, settling in one of the city's poorest suburbs, Cribb Island, which was subsequently obliterated to make way for Brisbane Airport.
Career as singer/songwriter
It was in Brisbane that he and his brothers, twins Robin and the late Maurice, formed the Bee Gees, and began recording. Their worldwide success came when they returned to England and began recording with Robert Stigwood. During their career, which spanned five decades, they sold more than 187 million records.
In addition to his career as part of the Bee Gees, Barry Gibb has had a career as a solo artist, and as a songwriter/producer. In 1978, he became the only songwriter to have four straight number one hits in the U.S.A, breaking the John Lennon and Paul McCartney 1964 record. These songs were "Stayin' Alive", "Love Is Thicker Than Water", "Night Fever", "If I Can't Have You". Five of his songs were in the U.S. top 10 at the same time in 1978.
Songs written by Gibb have also been recorded by well over 2,500 other artists. He wrote and produced albums which sold millions for other acts during the 1970s and 1980s, including his younger brother Andy Gibb, Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Jimmy Ruffin and Swedish singer Carola.
Robin and Barry both received Honorary Degrees of Doctor of Music from The University of Manchester in May 2004. They and Maurice (posthumously) were named CBE (Commanders of The British Empire), presented to them by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace in 2005.
Trivia
- It was announced on January 4, 2006 that Gibb had purchased the former home of country legends Johnny and June Carter Cash in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
- Barry's son Stephen Gibb has toured with the Bee Gees and is currently a guitarist for Crowbar.
- "The Barry Gibb Talk Show" was a popular satirical segment on Saturday Night Live, and featured Jimmy Fallon as Barry and Justin Timberlake as his brother Robin.
- Barry had a short cameo role in the Only Fools and Horses film Miami Twice.
External links
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