Featured MEdia
Supply Chains

 

Colin Petersen, the original drummer for the Bee Gees, who contributed to iconic 1960s hits like ‘I Started a Joke’, ‘To Love Somebody’, and ‘I Just Gotta Get a Message to You’, passed away on Monday at the age of 78.

His passing was confirmed through a Facebook announcement by his current band, Best of The Bee Gees, stating: “With a heavy heart, we share the news of our dear friend Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen’s death. He brought love, care, and respect to our group and our lives. We are unsure how to move forward without his radiant smile and profound friendship. We love you, Col. Rest in Peace.” No cause of death was mentioned.

Related Stories

Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2024: Photo Gallery & Obituaries

‘The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend A Broken Heart’ Trailer: HBO Max Documentary Follows The Brothers Gibb

Petersen became the first official member of the Bee Gees not named Gibb when he joined brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice in 1966 after their relocation from Australia to London. Following some initial visa issues, he played on the band’s first four Polydor/Atco albums from 1967 to 1969, having contributed to 1966’s Spicks and Specks. He also drummed on several tracks for 1970’s Cucumber Castle before departing amidst a dispute with manager Robert Stigwood.

The early albums established the Bee Gees as a burgeoning force in pop music, with Bee Gees’ 1st reaching the Top 10 in both the US and UK, featuring hits like ‘New York Mining Disaster 1941’, ‘To Love Somebody’, and ‘Holiday’. Their subsequent albums propelled them to stardom.

Horizontal, released in early 1968, reached the Top 20 in the US, UK, and Australia, featuring the UK chart-topper ‘Massachusetts’. Later that year, their album Idea peaked in the UK Top 5 and found success in the US with memorable tracks like ‘I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You’ and ‘I Started a Joke’, both hitting the Top 10.

Odessa (1969) also fared well globally, and that year’s compilation album Best of Bee Gees reached the Top 10 in the US and UK, showcasing the hit single ‘Words’.

Petersen’s last album with the band was 1970’s Cucumber Castle, where he played drums on about half the tracks, including the European hit ‘Don’t Forget to Remember’.

Afterward, Petersen joined the short-lived band Humpy Bong before stepping away from music. He and his wife, Joanne Newfield, who had previously worked as a personal assistant to Beatles manager Brian Epstein and later to Stigwood, established a management company in 1969. They had two sons, Jaime and Ben.

DEADLINE RELATED VIDEO:

 

Persons

Colin Petersen, Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Maurice Gibb, Vince Melouney, Joanne Newfield, Robert Stigwood, Brian Epstein

Company Names

Polydor, Atco, HBO Max

Titles

I Started a Joke, To Love Somebody, I Just Gotta Get a Message to You, Cucumber Castle, Best of Bee Gees, Horizontal, Idea, Odessa, Words, Don’t Forget to Remember, The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend A Broken Heart

Disclaimer: This article has been auto-generated from a syndicated RSS feed and has not been edited by Vitrina staff. It is provided solely for informational purposes on a non-commercial basis.