As tributes continue to pour in for the late Donna Summer, more sad news was cast over the disco era this weekend with the passing of former Bee Gee Robin Gibb.
Announcing the news on his official website, Gibb's family said: "The family of Robin Gibb ... announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today (Sunday) following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery," a statement posted on his official website said... The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time." He was 62.
The British-born musician's career began with the formation of The Bee Gees back in 1958 with brothers Barry and Maurice. The group are most known for their hits Stayin' Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, and Night Fever. With a career that spanned over 5 decades the Bee Gees were one of the best-selling groups of all time and much like Donna Summer, were most synonymous with the disco era.
Tributes are pouring in thick and fast for the late performer. Former BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Read, a close friend of the family said: "Robin had the voice, the pathos, and he was a great writer... He had a gift for melody and a gift for lyrics and left a phenomenal legacy, a phenomenal catalogue." While a statement from Sony Music on Twitter said: "Rest in peace, Robin Gibb. Thanks for the music."
Gibb was diagnosed with Cancer 18 months ago and after a long and troublesome battle, involving intestinal surgeries, it was annoucned in February that he was in fact making a "spectacular" recovery and feeling "fantastic". Sadly things worsened for the former Bee Gee last month when he collapsed after contracting pneumonia. After 12 days he regained consciousness, with his son Robin-John saying his father was "completely compos mentis", meaning of sound mind, but ultimately he succumbed to the illness.
