Barry Gibb facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Barry Gibb AC CBE
Gibb performing at Glastonbury Festival 2017
Born	Barry Alan Crompton Gibb (1946-09-01) 1 September 1946 (age 78) Douglas, Isle of Man
Other names	Johnny Hayes
Occupation	Singer songwriter musician record producer
Years active	1955–present
Spouse(s)	Maureen Bates ​ ​ (m. 1966; div. 1970)​ Linda Gray ​ (m. 1970)​
Children	5, including Steve
Parents	Hugh Gibb (father) Barbara [Pass] Gibb (mother)
Relatives	Maurice Gibb (brother) Robin Gibb (brother) Andy Gibb (brother)
Musical career
Origin	Manchester, England
Genres	Rock pop disco country
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Labels	Polydor Atco MCA Capitol
Signature

Sir Barry Alan Crompton Gibb (born 1 September 1946) is a famous British musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He became known worldwide as a member of the Bee Gees, a super successful music group. He formed the group with his younger twin brothers, Robin and Maurice.

Barry Gibb is known for his amazing singing voice, especially his high-pitched falsetto. His music career has lasted for over 60 years! He has written or co-written many hit songs, including sixteen that reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. This puts him in a special group with legends like John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

In 1994, he and his brothers were added to the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Later, in 1997, the Bee Gees joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Guinness World Records even lists him as the second most successful songwriter ever, right after Paul McCartney. Barry Gibb has also received special honors from the British government, including being made a Knight Bachelor for his contributions to music and charity.

Early Life and Family

Announcement of the birth of Barry Gibb (Isle of Man Examiner, Friday September 6, 1946)

Barry Alan Crompton Gibb was born on 1 September 1946, in Douglas, Isle of Man. His father, Hugh Gibb, was a drummer, and his mother, Barbara Gibb, was from Manchester. Barry has an older sister named Lesley.

When Barry was a baby, he had an accident with a hot teapot and had to stay in the hospital for a couple of months. In 1949, his two younger brothers, Robin and Maurice, were born. These three brothers would later become the famous Bee Gees. The family moved around a bit in Douglas before settling in Manchester, England.

Barry started school when he was five years old. He attended different schools as his family moved.

Starting a Musical Journey

Early Performances and Songwriting (1955–1966)

When the Gibb family moved back to Manchester in 1955, the brothers started their first band. It was a skiffle group called the Rattlesnakes. Barry sang and played guitar, while Robin and Maurice also sang and played acoustic guitar. They played songs by popular artists like Cliff Richard and Buddy Holly. Their first professional show was in December 1957.

Later, the brothers changed their band name to Wee Johnny Hayes and the Blue Cats. They often performed in a talent show for young people. In 1958, the Gibb family moved to Australia. There, they formed a new group that would become known as the Bee Gees. To earn money, they sang between races at the Redcliffe Speedway. A radio DJ named Bill Gates noticed their talent and liked Barry's original songs.

Barry left school in 1961, and the family moved to Surfers Paradise. The brothers spent their summers performing in hotels and clubs. By 1963, the Bee Gees signed with a record label in Australia. Barry wrote their first single, "The Battle of the Blue and the Grey". In fact, he wrote all of the Bee Gees' singles from 1963 to 1966. Other Australian singers also recorded songs written by Barry, and some of them became hits.

Worldwide Fame with the Bee Gees (1967–1970)

The Bee Gees returned to the United Kingdom in early 1967. They quickly signed with manager Robert Stigwood, who helped them become a huge international success. They released their first international album, Bee Gees' 1st. One of the songs from this album, "To Love Somebody", became a classic and has been sung by many artists over the years. Barry sang the lead on this song.

During this time, Barry met famous musicians like John Lennon and Pete Townshend at a club in London. The Bee Gees became very popular, but all the fame brought some challenges for the group. In 1968, they appeared on popular TV shows in the U.S. like The Smothers Brothers Show and The Ed Sullivan Show.

In 1969, the Bee Gees released "First of May". After this, Robin decided to try a solo career for a short time. Barry and Maurice continued as the Bee Gees for a while. Barry also wrote and produced songs for other singers during this period.

Trying a Solo Path (1970)

In February 1970, Barry started working on his first solo album, The Kid's No Good. He released his first solo single, "I'll Kiss Your Memory". However, most of the songs from this album were not officially released at the time. Barry also appeared as a judge and performed some songs at a beauty pageant in Germany. He mentioned that he missed performing for people.

Even though he was working on solo music, Barry still hoped to be an actor. He said he had received offers for roles but hadn't found the right one yet.

The Bee Gees Reunite (1970–1974)

In August 1970, the Bee Gees got back together! They quickly wrote new songs like "Lonely Days" and "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart". In 1971, "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" became their first number one hit in America.

Barry continued to be a strong creative force for the group. By 1972, he decided to focus all his energy on the Bee Gees. In 1973, the Bee Gees moved to RSO Records. They worked with producer Arif Mardin to create new music.

Disco Era Success (1975–1980)

In 1975, the Bee Gees moved to Miami and started working with producer Arif Mardin again. This is when Barry's famous high-pitched falsetto singing style became a big part of their sound, starting with the song "Nights on Broadway".

In 1976, Barry wrote "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" for his younger brother, Andy Gibb, which became a number one hit in the U.S. In November 1977, the movie Saturday Night Fever was released. Its soundtrack, mostly featuring songs by the Bee Gees, became one of the best-selling soundtracks ever!

Between 1977 and 1978, seven songs written by Barry reached number one in the United States. He also wrote the famous title song for the musical Grease, which was sung by Frankie Valli and also hit number one. After a very successful tour in 1979, Barry wrote and produced almost all the songs on Andy Gibb's last album, After Dark.

Producing for Other Stars (1980–1983)

In 1980, Barry produced the album Guilty for superstar Barbra Streisand. The album included hit duets between Streisand and Barry, like "Guilty" and "What Kind of Fool".

In 1982, Barry wrote and produced the album Heartbreaker for singer Dionne Warwick. In 1983, he produced Kenny Rogers' album Eyes That See in the Dark. This album included the super popular song "Islands in the Stream", a duet between Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, which became a huge hit in country music.

Solo Projects and Bee Gees Breaks (1983–1986)

In 1984, Barry released his solo album Now Voyager. It included the song "Shine, Shine", which was a Top 40 hit in the U.S. He also made a film called Now Voyager to go along with the album.

In 1985, Barry wrote many songs for Diana Ross's album Eaten Alive. He also worked on his brother Robin's album Walls Have Eyes.

Later Activities (1987–2002)

In 1987, the Bee Gees started recording their first album in six years. Barry also worked on new songs for his brother Andy. He wrote songs for films and other artists, including Elton John and Tina Turner.

In 2001, Barry co-wrote "I Cannot Give You My Love" for Cliff Richard. In 2002, he even recorded a song called "All in Your Name" with Michael Jackson. He also sang background vocals on Michael Bublé's version of "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart".

Maurice's Passing and Continued Music (2003–2012)

Sadly, Maurice Gibb passed away suddenly on 12 January 2003. Ten months later, Barry produced and sang on two songs for Cliff Richard, including one that featured Maurice's keyboard playing from an earlier recording.

In 2004, Barry and Robin Gibb received the CBE award at Buckingham Palace. Maurice also received a special award after his passing. Barry continued to write and perform music, sometimes with his son, Steve. In 2009, Barry and Robin announced they would perform together again as the Bee Gees.

On 21 February 2012, Barry performed his first solo concert in the U.S. He sang with Maurice's daughter, Samantha Gibb, and his son Steve was the lead guitarist. On 20 May 2012, Robin Gibb passed away, leaving Barry as the only surviving Gibb brother.

Current Activities (2012–Present)

Gibb performing in 2014 at the Hollywood Bowl

Barry Gibb made his first performance at the famous Grand Ole Opry in 2012, singing with country star Ricky Skaggs. In 2013, he started a world tour called the Mythology Tour, celebrating the Bee Gees' music. His son Steve and Maurice's daughter Samantha joined him on stage.

Barry has continued to perform and make special appearances. In 2014, he was interviewed by CNN and talked about his brothers. He also performed on a tribute album for Paul McCartney. In 2016, he performed at the Glastonbury Festival in England, even joining the band Coldplay on stage.

In 2016, Barry released his second solo album, In the Now, which featured all new songs. His sons Stephen and Ashley helped him write the album. In 2020, he announced a new album called Greenfields, which features duets with country artists like Dolly Parton and Alison Krauss. In December 2023, Barry was honored at the Kennedy Center for his contributions to American culture.

Personal Life

Barry Gibb's first marriage was to Maureen Bates in 1966. They were married for a short time and divorced in 1970.

On 1 September 1970, his 24th birthday, Barry married Linda Gray, a former beauty queen. They have five children together: Stephen, Ashley, Travis, Michael, and Alexandra. They also have seven grandchildren. Barry and Linda became U.S. citizens in 2009, but they also kept their British citizenship.

Barry has been friends with many famous people, including Michael Jackson. He owns a home in the UK but has mostly lived in Miami since 1974. He once bought the former home of country legends Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash in Tennessee, hoping to fix it up.

Musical Influences

When Barry was starting out with the Rattlesnakes, he was influenced by artists like Tommy Steele, the Everly Brothers, and Cliff Richard. The Bee Gees often sang in the style of the Everly Brothers, adding their own harmonies.

Barry also loves Roy Orbison's singing, saying that when he heard Orbison's song "Crying", it felt like "the voice of God." He also admires Frankie Valli's vocal skills. Barry has always been inspired by country music and enjoys making music in that style.

Legacy and Achievements

Barry Gibb is a true legend in music. Q magazine ranked him as one of the '100 Greatest Singers' in 2007.

As a member of the Bee Gees, he was part of one of the best-selling music groups ever. When they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, it was noted that only a few artists had sold more records than the Bee Gees. Their songs for the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack helped it sell over 50 million copies, making it the top-selling album for a long time. The Bee Gees are the only group in pop history to write, produce, and record six number one hits in a row. They have also won nine Grammy Awards.

Barry Gibb and his brothers were honored as Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2002. In 2018, Barry was given a knighthood for his contributions to music and charity. In 2022, he received another special honor, being made an Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia. In 2023, he was recognized as a Kennedy Center Honoree for his impact on American culture.

Barry is also an incredibly successful songwriter. In 1977, five of his songs were in the Top Ten of the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time! He holds a special record for writing four number one hits in a row in the U.S. in 1978. He is also the only male artist to have 10 songs on the list of the 600 biggest hits in the history of the Hot 100 Billboard chart.

His songs have been recorded by many famous artists, including Celine Dion, Olivia Newton-John, Elvis Presley, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, and Tina Turner. Barry has also produced albums for many stars like Barbra Streisand, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers, and Diana Ross.

Solo Discography

Studio Albums

Soundtracks

Compilations

Unreleased Albums

Singles

Images for kids

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  50 St Catherine's Drive, childhood home of the Bee Gees.

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  Gibb performing with the Bee Gees in 1968

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  Gibb in 1973 on the Dutch television show TopPop

See also

In Spanish: Barry Gibb para niños