In Defence of the Brothers Gibb

A friend of mine has been giving me HELL because I confessed that the last concert I went to was The Bee Gees.

I know they're daggy. I know their falsettos defy the male anatomy. But you gotta admit, in their kitschy white-boy disco way, they're funky boys.

People think Bee Gees and think Saturday Night Fever. But they were huge way before then. In the 60s they had some massive hits. Words, Massachusetts and How Do You Mend A Broken Heart? They had 5 singles in the top ten of the Billboard Charts at the same time, something never seen since The Beatles. Their dorky haircuts and soaring voices made legions of housewives moist.

Then in the 70s they reinvented themselves, tightened up their trousers and exposed their manly chests to bring disco to the distinctly unfunky masses. It was non-threatening and palletable for the conservative folks. It lacked the danger and sexiness of other artists. Who could forget such chestnuts as Jive Talkin' and Nights On Broadway?

Then in the 80s they had a few crapola albums, but damn, did they write a bunch of good songs for other people! Heartbreaker gave has-been Dionne Warwick a much-needed hit. Chain Reaction saw Diana Ross hit #1 with her hair teased like an atomic bomb cloud and the Gibb boys bleating in the background. Best of all was Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton warbling Islands In The Stream. Sail away with me. To another a world. And we can rely on each other. Uh huh.

Where would have crappy boy bands been in the 90s without the Bee Gees to cover? How many talentless freaks rode the coattails of How Deep Is Your Love and Stayin' Alive all the way to the top of the charts? Then there was that ill-conceived Bee Gees/Celine Dion duet that basically sank without a trace. But it showed how the boys are still HIP and WITH IT after three decades in the business. They have their finger on the pulse of rawk, whether it be sanitised disco or pompous over-produced ballads.

So don't diss the Gees, bro. They have contributed so much to modern music. Their legend will be aha ha ha ha stayin aliiiiive for years to come.

| | Posted in I Love Rock n Roll | Comments (12)

 

Comments

Francis said:

I love the BeeGees! Maurice will be missed. Scary that, he was my age. Great memories, I have a really old album - with "Red Chair Fade Away" on it. They did the soundtrack for two super movies (one a sequel of the other) - "Saturday Night Fever" and "Stayin' Alive". Nothing to be 'shamed of liking their sound, especially if you like to dance . . .

SuperKat said:

The Bee Gees kick butt, and I wasn't even born when most of their stuff was first released.

Rachael said:

I have loved the bee gees music since I was young and I still think that they are great guys and are great singers as well and I hope that they are doing alright after the death of their great Brother Maurice.

limare said:

Its now August and I still can't believe he's gone, I'm only a die-hard fan. Love their lyrics in "Closer than Close my favorite. Dealing with grief is hard for me can you imagine what Robin and his family must be dealing with everyday. Thanks for the write. LM

Laura Rodriguez said:

I've been a fan of the Bee Gees since i was small. I love their music. Especially ''Stayin' Alive''. Im so sad cuz Maurice died.

Laura Rodriguez said:

I've been a fan of the Bee Gees since i was small. I love their music. Especially ''Stayin' Alive''. Im so sad cuz Maurice died.

Lauren said:

Bee Gees Rock. Their the bestest band in the whole wide world!!! Luv ya

Linda said:

I can't seem to get enough of the Bee Gees. I listen to the Still Waters cd and their greatest hit double cd every day. Even my five and nine year old girls love them. It's sad to me that alot of people in th US don't think past the disco time of the Bee Gees and see there is so much more to them before and after. Don't get me wrong I love all of it. Miss you Moe. Love you Barry.

Lauren said:

I luv tha Bee Gees!! They are the greatest eva!

Glenna said:

The BeeGees are LEGENDS !!!!!

Kate said:

Bee Gees rock!!
I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin! I luv Robin!

Debs said:

The Bee Gees are the best band ever. They have stood the test of time with their ever-changing style. How many other groups can claim to be making music for five decades? I have been a fan since the sixties and continue to enjoy their music...the disco and all. Yes, Maurice is sorely missed but the Bee Gees will live forever.

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In Defence of the Brothers Gibb was published on June 9, 2000.

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