The group was slated to begin a seven-week tour of the U.S. in August, 1968 but on July 27, Robin collapsed and was unconscious. He went into a London nursing home from nervous exhaustion, and the American tour was postponed.
The Bee Gees began work on their sixth album, spending a week recording at Atlantic Studios in New York City. Robin missed the New York Sessions, but the rest of the group recorded instrumental tracks and demos.
By this time, the problems that every major group experiences began to surface, even though the primary figures in this case were brothers. Robin felt like Stigwood had been favoring Barry as the frontman of the group.
The trio's performances on Top of the Pops and The Tom Jones Show were one of the last live performances of the group with Robin for some time.
The next album was originally a concept album called Masterpeace but turned into the double-album the Bee Gees named Odessa, one of their best career endeavors and certainly their best of the '60's.
Today Odessa is hailed for its blend of Rock, Country, Baroque, Opera, and Classical music. If you want to go back and discover some of the group's great "undiscovered" material, this would be a good place to start.
"First Of May" hit #2 in the Netherlands, #3 in Ireland, #4 in Germany and Switzerland, #6 in the U.K. and #7 in Belgium.
This song was the first track recorded after the Bee Gees returned to England from beginning sessions in New York City, and the first without the departed Melouney--"Black Diamond".
Just as groups such as Led Zeppelin and AC/DC piled up points with solid album tracks (without which they would not have come close toThe Top 100 Artists*), the Bee Gees scored tons of points with their album tracks. When Robin disagreed with "First Of May" as the single though, feeling that the flipside of that, "Lamplight" should have been the A-side, he quit the group to begin a solo career.
It's a beautiful song and Robin's voice soars.
"Odessa", about a fictitious British ship called Veronica, floating on an iceberg in the Baltic Sea, is one of the group's most unique songs. The title song features a mix of Maurice playing flamenco guitar and Grammy-winning composer Paul Buckmaster, who later became Elton John's arranger, on cello.
Odessa landed at #3 in Germany and #4 in the U.K. "Marley Purt Drive" shows off the group's songwriting talent to be able to think outside the box, drawing comparisons to Bob Dylan, The Band, and Van Morrison. It was originally written as a Folk song which turned into more of a Country effort on the final recording. The group brought in Bill Keith to play banjo.
The song starts out as just a mundane Sunday routine, but we learn that the protagonist is dealing with a heavy burden of keeping his large family intact while also caring for orphans.
He takes a Sunday drive as an escape, a moment of solace, while at the same time knowing that he has to return to his responsibilities. As a result, the Bee Gees explore the common struggle of balancing personal desires with the demands of responsibility.
Odessa was released as a bright red flocked cover with gold lettering. "Seven Seas Symphony", featuring Maurice on keyboards and a wonderful string arrangement by Bill Shepherd, is a simple but beautiful and mystical instrumental. The sea could be seen as a symbol of the love of God, which is as deep, alive and life-giving as the ocean.
The group released their compilation Best of Bee Gees, which landed in the Top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic.
The group released their first album without Robin, Cucumber Castle. They debuted live without Robin atTalk of the Town. During this time, their sister Lesley replaced Robin in at least one performance and the group filmed a television special which aired on the BBC in 1970 to promote the album.
Petersen was fired from the group while the album was recorded, and Terry Cox was brought in to play drums. But the first single, "Don't Forget To Remember", stalled at #73 in the U.S.
The band recorded this song in May of 1969 in IBC Studios, with a cameo vocal appearance by P.P. Arnold. The Bee Gees did not release "Bury Me Down By The River" as a single, but Arnold recorded a version for herself and did release it as a single.
Cucumber Castle, the title taken from a song on their first album, includes songs from their television special of the same name. Shortly after Peterson left, Barry reminded everyone, as quoted in the book The Ultimate Biography of the Bee Gees by Melinda Bilyeu, Hector Cook and Andrew Mon Hughes, that "Maurice is capable of playing about seven instruments - most of the back tracks on the records were all him." This is "My Thing".
However, the next two singles failed as well and it seemed like the group was finished. For most acts in a similar situation, they would have been done. On December 1, 1969, Barry and Maurice decided to part ways professionally.
Maurice recorded his first solo album, The Loner, which was not released. He subsequently starred in the West End musical Sing a Rude Song. In February of 1970, Barry recorded a solo album which also did not get released. Robin enjoyed a #2 hit in the U.K. with "Saved By The Bell" from his album Robin's Reign.
Then, in mid-1970, Barry says "Robin rang me in Spain where I was on holiday [saying] 'let's do it again'". Robin and Maurice recorded a dozen songs in June before Barry joined and included two songs that made it on their reunion album. On August 21, the Bee Gees reunited. Barry and Robin published the book On the Other Hand together, which was a good sign of the relationship-mending they had done. The group also hired drummer Geoff Bridgford, who had played previously for the Groove and Tin Tin. Tin Tin, you might remember, had just enjoyed the hit "Toast and Marmalade for Tea".
The Bee Gees released the album 2 Years On, led by this song which they wrote in their first reunion session in the basement of Barry's house on Addison Road in London. "Lonely Days" became their biggest hit to date, reaching #1 in Canada and #3 in the U.S. and the Netherlands and giving them their first career Gold record.
The group performed on many of the top television shows in the United States, including The Ed Sullivan Show, Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, The Andy Williams Show, and The Dick Cavett Show.
Recording for the group's next album began on January 28, 1971. The Bee Gees hired Alan Kendall as lead guitarist and released the album Trafalgar. This classic was written on the same day as "Lonely Days"--how many artists can write two songs of that caliber in one day? For the first time in their career, the trio enjoyed a #1 song--"How Can You Mend A Broken Heart", another million-seller.
The Bee Gees were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for their smash hit. Here is the title song.
The following year, the band released the non-album single "My World", a #3 smash in Australia. It was later included on the compilation Best of the Bee Gees, Volume 2.
The Bee Gees also released the album To Whom It May Concern, featuring the single "Run To Me". "We Wrote this ("Run To Me"), Robin told The Mail On Sunday, "at our manager Robert Stigwood's house in Beverly Hills. He was a great visionary and championed our beliefs and chemistry as brothers." Like its predecessor, "Run To Me" peaked at #3 in Australia, the same chart position for the song in New Zealand; it also reached #6 in Canada and #7 in the United Kingdom.
Veteran Clem Cattini played drums in the sessions and said, "I think they [Bee Gees] have an unbelievable talent - I'd give anything just to have written one of the songs that they've written, especially the later stuff." Robin's vocals soar on this one--"Never Been Alone".
To Whom It May Concern was the Bee Gees' last album with conductor and arranger Bill Shepherd, who had been with them since 1967. The trio showed their great versatility on "Bad Bad Dreams".
"Alive" is one of the group's best ballads.
Bridgford left the group during recording of the album and the brothers decided not to hire a new member at the time.
Don't miss Part Three of the Bee Gees, exclusively on Inside The Rock Era!
"Best falsetto voices in music history with the perfect harmony of three voices. Music and lyrics blend perfectly. Bee Gees are one of a kind."
"A sensational vocal technique to make it look so easy to sing with that falsetto and vibrato and a fantastic vocal chord closure. That must be very difficult, which is why the Bee Gees passed to immortality!"
"These guys were musical geniuses."
"Great music never dies."
"Musical perfection! They did so many great songs. Their vocals were impeccable."
"Unforgettable & immortal ❤"
"Beautiful harmonies. The Bee Gees are timeless!"
"Not one of the greatest but THE Greatest group on the planet. They will always be my idols.
"Their music speaks to my soul."
"The Bee Gees' music will live on forever."
"They were pure magic. Oh what joy their music brings."
"Their body of work is unmatched by all but a handful of artists."
"Stunning harmonies."
"Real music, pure talent. The godfathers of harmony. There will never be another group like the Bee Gees."
"Great song. Barry, Robin and Mo were so talented, humble and such fantastic songwriters."
"MY FAVORITE MUSIC GROUP BEEGEES FOREVER 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏"
"simple .....beautiful......sublime.....modern...that's the Gibb brothers."
"A group that could sing Rock, R&B, Country, Gospel & Folk. No group was A versatile as the Bee Gees and their vocals are the hardest to duplicate. a timeless group we shall never see the likes ever again."
"The Gibb brothers are so gifted and I thank God everyday for their wonderful music!"
"Fantastic Bee Gees the best group ever forever 👍❤️👏"
"This group of brothers have so much talent such a blessing to have this great music in my life."
"Very few songwriters could quite capture the essence of just how important and powerful love is, quite like the brothers Gibb."
"They are the greatest singer/ songwriting group ever..."
"Their harmony is unmatched! Long live the music of this incredible trio.❤️"
"The Bee Gee's contributions to music for over 30 years cannot be ignored. The GREATEST among the Greatest."
"The Bee Gees should serve as a lesson in perseverance....these guys never gave up and just kept swinging. I love their indomitable spirit!!"
"I will listen as long as I can hear. No one comes even close. Their creativity continued for decades . Just incredible. !!!!! Quality Extraordinaire!!!!! YES, this is how real talent sings. !!!!! Thank you Bee Gees."
"Three Musical Geniuses that brought us their talents for close to 50 years - true Legends whose songs will be "rediscovered" by upcoming generations, and played into infinity...💖💖💖"
"The Bee Gees always will be magic."
"Amazing best band ever--real music...so meaningful."
"There is not any band in the history of the music staying near the top for forth years. Incredible, and they played many styles of music."
"Unbeatable Bee Gees...their songs are really great!"
"There will never be another group that can take you this high.. it's almost a religious experience... electrifying..."
"Their songs and performances were just the best of the best on so many levels!!!....Glad to have been part of this era of genius music and musicians...."
"Tremendous group, no one can compare. Timeless class & Style. Thank you Bee Gees."
"How marvelously harmonious their voices were... They will live forever in our hearts."
"Simply legends."
No one else in the Top 100* can be described as having nearly two separate careers quite like this legendary trio. Their talent, songwriting, and the kind of harmony a group can only get from being in the same family propelled them to a string of hits in the 60's and early 70's. But a prolonged dry spell led them to change their style; to reinvent themselves. As popular as they were originally, they were on top of the world in the late 70's, an amazing run nearly unsurpassed in music history.
(the Rattlesnakes: Frost, Kenny, Maurice, Barry and Robin)
The Brothers Gibb (Barry and twins Maurice and Robin) were born on the Isle of Man in the 1940's and moved to Hardy, Manchester, England in 1955. They began a group known as the Rattlesnakes with Paul Frost on drums and Kenny Horrocks on tea-chest bass. When the Rattlesnakes disbanded in 1958, the Gibb brothers formed the act Wee Johnny Hayes and the Blue Cats.
Later that year, the family moved to Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia and the boys quickly found places to perform. Speedway promoter Bill Goode, who hired the brothers to sing at the Redcliffe Speedway in 1960, introduced them to Brisbane disc jockey Bill Gates. Gates dubbed them the "BGs", after his, Goode's and Barry Gibb's initials.
Soon, the Bee Gees began performing on television shows and worked at resorts in the area. Australian star Col Joye heard the group and helped them get a recording contract in 1963 with Leedon Records. The group released a few singles each year and Barry also wrote songs for other artists. The Bee Gees got a big break when they were chosen to open for Chubby Checker at Sydney Stadium in 1962. The Gibb family moved to Sydney in 1963 and they recorded their first album, The Bee Gees Sing and Play 14 Barry Gibb Songs in 1966. Soon after, songwriter and producer Nat Kipner, who had just become the A&R manager of Spin Records, negotiated to get the Bee Gees on his label. Engineer Ossie Byrne, who produced many of their songs in the next few years, allowed the brothers access to St. Clair Studio whenever they needed it in 1966.
The Bee Gees utilized their time wisely and recorded many songs during this time, including "Spicks And Specks", the title of their 1966 album release. It rose to #1 in Australia as well as New Zealand and hit #2 in the Netherlands.
But the brothers were not happy with their level of success. Father Hugh Gibb sent demos of his sons to Brian Epstein, famous manager of the Beatles and director of NEMS, a record store in England. Epstein gave the tapes to Robert Stigwood, who had recently begun with NEMS. The family moved to England in 1967. While in transit, Go-Set, a popular Australian newspaper, named "Spicks And Specks" the Best Single of the Year.
The Bee Gees auditioned before Stigwood in one of the most important moments of the Rock Era and signed a five-year contract with Polydor in the U.K. and Atco in the U.S. It takes more than talent to make it as a recording artist; one also has to have someone believe in them enough to take a chance on them. In Robert Stigwood, the Bee Gees found one of their greatest fans and cheerleaders, but also someone with the genius to make it happen.
From the beginning, Stigwood set out the make the Bee Gees superstars, calling them "the most significant new musical talent of 1967". The group hired Colin Petersen and Vince Melouney to complete their lineup and record the single "New York Mining Disaster 1941". Through shrewd marketing by Stigwood, the Bee Gees released the single with a blank label listing only the song title. Upon listening to it, DJ's thought it to be the new single by the Beatles and began playing the song heavily.
The Bee Gees wrote this song while sitting in the dark on studio stairs at IBC studio in London. They imagined they were stuck in a mining accident and placed the song in New York, far from Wales where the Aberfan accident had occurred so as not to offend those hurt by that tragedy. The second verse has one less line than the first, an example of the trio's songwriting abilities in their early days.
"New York Mining Disaster 1941" reached #3 in New Zealand, #4 in the Netherlands, and #10 in Germany, but with a peak of 14 in the U.S., is one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*.
The album Bee Gees 1st rose to #4 in Germany, #7 in the United States, #8 in the U.K. and #10 in Australia The group originally wrote this song for Otis Redding, but tragically Redding died in a plane crash before he could record it. The Bee Gees released the single "To Love Somebody", which became a big hit in Canada (#5), Australia (#6), and Belgium (#8).
The trio recorded at the Playhouse Theatre in London for their first session with the BBC. That recording is included on BBC Sessions: 1967-1973 in 2008. "Holiday" roared to #3 in Canada and the Netherlands.
Barry and Robin wrote this song in 1966 near the end of the family's time living in Australia. "I Can't See Nobody" was first issued as the B-side to "New York Mining Disaster 1941".
Bee Gees 1st featured extensive use of the Mellotron, an instrument the Beatles brought to the forefront most notably on "Strawberry Fields Forever". Enjoy "Every Christian Lion-Hearted Man Will Show You".
Horizontal went to #1 in Germany and #8 in Australia. The group made a promotional tour to the United States, helping the album reach #12 there. The Bee Gees also toured Scandinavia and Germany.
Robin explained that a melody must dictate the song--"We are very conscious that melody is extremely important," he said. "You've got seven notes to work with, everybody in the world has: it's the order in which you use them," he continued. "But melody is the most important thing about writing a song, and then you approach the lyrics and you must work them into it."
The band performed "Words" on The Ed Sullivan Show and gave a performance at the esteemed Royal Albert Hall in London. It was a huge hit everywhere (#1 in Canada, Germany, New Zealand and the Netherlands, #3 in Belgium, #4 in Austria, and #8 in the U.K.) except the U.S., where it stalled at #15. In concerts in their prime, the other members of the group would exit for a break while Barry gave other-worldly performances of the song a cappella. "Words" is easily one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*.
The Bee Gees also made their first appearance on the popular British television show Top of the Pops. Horizontal included "Massachusetts". The single was a killer smash in every country in the world except the one which contains the state. "Massachusetts" hit #1 in the U.K., Germany, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Austria, and Belgium, #2 in Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland, and #3 in Canada...but #11 in the United States, another highly underrated song.
In the liner notes to the reissue of Idea in 2006, Barry said that the harmonies in the song were a last-minute addition of Stigwood. "Now that was a memorable night," Barry said about how the harmonies in the song were a last-minute addition by Stigwood. "I think that night, I know for a fact, we didn't sing the choruses in harmony," Gibb said. "Robert called us back into the studio at 11 o'clock at night and said, 'I want the choruses in harmony, I don't want them in just melody'" Gibb continued. "So we went in and attempted that 'round about midnight. Everyone drove back to the studio, and that's what we did."
"I've Gotta' Get A Message To You" gave the Bee Gees their second career #1 in the U.K., also #1 in Ireland, #2 in New Zealand, #3 in Canada, Australia, and Germany, #6 in Switzerland, and #8 in the United States.
Although "World" was a big hit in Europe, it was not released as a single in the United States because three singles had already been released there.
In the liner notes to Horizontal, Barry told the story of how this song came to be.
"And The Sun Will Shine" was
a one-day event, I remember
very well the engineer in that
studio had a trap door in the
ceiling where the soundproof
room was! They must have
decided that the engineer
needed to be safe. You could
make as much music as
possible, but you couldn't get
up into that soundproof room.
"And The Sun Will Shine"
definitely had the potential to
be something and, in fact,
that's what we ended up with,
the song on the spot. We
never re-recorded it.
Robin added:
That's one of my favoritestoo, It was a very emotional song, but a lot of the words just camead-libbed.
The song actually wasn't planned. We just played the record down and sang it as we felt it. We kept the original demo the way it was and [later] just added the orchestra. It's got a great feeling to it, a great atmosphere, sometimes you know you can't recapture that feeling if you keep recording something.
The album Idea peaked at #3 in Germany and #4 in the U.K. This gem was written next to St. Paul's Cathedral in a penthouse apartment the group rented when they first arrived in England. Barry had just fallen in love with a woman who would go on to be his wife, Linda, and that was the mood he was in when he wrote "Let There Be Love".
The Bee Gees toured to support the album, but Melouney left the group afterwards. This song is a lot more complex than most people think. "This is a very spiritual song," Robin told The Mail On Sunday in 2009. "The listeners have to interpret it themselves--trying to explain it would detract from the song." "I Started A Joke" was another smash, #1 in Australia, Canada and New Zealand, #3 in the Netherlands, #5 in Switzerland, and #6 in the U.S.
(From left to right: Melouney, Peterson, Barry, Maurice and Robin)
This incredibly talented trio has much more--catch Part Two on Inside The Rock Era!
Madonna starred in the movie Swept Away, directed by Ritchie, which was a failure. Her fate did not improve when a starring role in the play Up For Grabs in London's West End flopped. She released "Die Another Day" from the James Bond movie of the same name, #1 in Switzerland, Italy and Spain, #3 in the U.K. and #8 in the U.S. In a career that previously included three separate streaks of #1 Dance hits, her fourth streak of amazing success on the dance floor now reached 10 more.
"Die Another Day" was nominated for Best Dance Recording and Best Short Form Music Video at the Grammy Awards, Best Original Song at the Golden Globe Awards and Best Video form a Film at the MTV Video Music Awards. In 2003, Madonna released the album American Life, which sold four million copies worldwide. The title song peaked at #1 in Canada, Italy and Switzerland and #2 in the U.K. and Spain.
She released the album Remixed & Revisited later in the year, an EP of remixes from American Life. "Hollywood" rose to #2 in the U.K., Switzerland and Spain, and was another #1 Dance hit in the United States.
Ahmadzai returned to produce American Life, which includes "Nobody Knows Me".
Madonna signed a contract to write children's books, hoping would-be buyers would overlook the fact that she was a horrible role model for children. She toured North America and Europe in another #1 tour of the year, which earned $120 million. The documentary film I'm Going to Tell You a Secret was released with scenes from the tour.
Madonna performed at Live 8 in 2004 and released the album Confessions on a Dance Floor the following year, which won a Grammy Award for Best Electronic/Dance Album.
Both the album and the lead single "Hung Up" rose to #1 in virtually every country in the world and gave Madonna her 16th straight #1 on the Dance chart. She earned a Grammy for Best Electronic/Dance Album, and "Hung Up" has now topped five million in worldwide sales.
Madonna wrote this about her adopted hometown--"I Love New York".
"Hung Up" was nominated for Video of the Year, Best Pop Video, Best Female Video and Best Dance Video at the MTV Video Music Awards. The Confessions Tour in 2006 earned $193.7 million from 1.2 million fans. By this time, Madonna had gone over 200 million in worldwide album sales.
Madonna won a World Music Award for World's Best Pop Artist. While she was in Malawi, Madonna formed the charitable group Raising Malawi and partially funded an orphanage. She also adopted a boy there named David Banda. In 2007, Madonna left Warner Brothers and signed a new ten-year, $120 million deal with Live Nation.
Madonna wrote and produced the documentary I Am Because We Are, about the problems faced by Malawians.
In 2008, Madonna was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and won a World Music Award for Best-Selling American Artist.
She released the album Hard Candy, which debuted at #1 in 37 countries. The single "4 Minutes" reached #3, making Madonna the all-time leader in most Top 10 hits with 37, passing Elvis Presley for that distinction. It also gave Madonna 20 consecutive #1 Dance hits. "Give It 2 (sic) Me" also reached #1 on the Dance chart to give her a record 21 straight.
"4 Minutes" was nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the Grammy Awards, while "Give It 2 Me" was in the running for Best Dance Recording, and the former also earned an MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Dance Video. A world tour followed, which grossed 408 million, second-most of all-time. But another Madonna relationship fell by the wayside when she and Ritchie divorced. In 2009, Madonna adopted another child from Malawi, daughter Mercy.
Madonna told the Sunday Telegraph that this song is about a long-distance relationship and was inspired by her marriage to Ritchie--"Miles Away".
Madonna released the compilation album Celebration in 2009, a #1 album in the U.K., Germany, Canada, and Italy. She finished the decade as the third top-touring artist behind only the Rolling Stones and U2, with a total gross of over $801 million with 6.3 million tickets sold.
In 2010, Madonna performed at the benefit concert Hope for Haiti Now and released her live album Sticky & Sweet Tour. Madonna directed the movie W.E. about the affair between King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson of the U.K. The song "Masterpiece" earned Madonna a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.
In 2012, Madonna headlined the halftime show of Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Indiana.
She released the album MDNA, featuring the lead single "Give Me All Your Luvin'".
The album was Madonna's fifth straight to debut at #1. The accompanying world tour grossed $305 million, the top tour of the year and the 10th-highest of all-time. Madonna earned World Music Award nominations for Best Female Artist, Best Entertainer, Best World Album, Best World's Live Act and Best World Song and Best World Video for "Give Me All Your Luvin'" and she scored a Billboard Music Award for Top Touring Artist and two more for Top Dance Artist and Top Dance Album.
In 2015, Madonna released the album Rebel Heart, which included "Ghosttown", a fifth straight #1 Dance hit on another run that would reach 10 by 2020. Her tour of North America, Europe and Asia earned a gross of $169.8 million from 82 shows.
In 2017, Madonna adopted twin sisters Estere and Stella from Malawi and moved to Lisbon, Portugal with her adopted children. She opened the Mercy James Institute for Pediatric Surgery and Intensive Care in Malawi. Madonna's time in Lisbon led her to record the album Madame X, featuring local music in Portugal, which she released in 2019. Madame X debuted at #1 on the Album chart, her ninth of her career. "Come Alive" is the top song on the album.
Madonna has influenced many female artists for good or bad, mostly for bad. She was the top-selling female artist of the 20th century. She is tied with Barbra Streisand for the most Multi-Platinum albums in the U.S. with 12.
Madonna has won eight Grammy Awards out of 29 nominations, three American Music Award from 18 nomination, 20 Billboard Music Awards, two World Music Awards out of eight nominations, two Golden Globe Awards from seven nominations, three People's Choice Awards out of five nominations and 9 MTV Video Music Awards out of 33 nominations.
She has 38 Top 10 songs to her credit, more than any other female artist in history, among 57 career hits and 12 #1's. Madonna has dominated the Dance chart since her first album, piling up 68 career hits, with an incredible 62 of those reaching the Top 10 and 50 #1 Dance smashes. She has always been much more popular among teenagers than adults, but Madonna has managed to post 37 career hits on the Adult Contemporary chart with 15 Top 10 songs and 5 #1's.
