Bee Gees drummers Dennis Bryon and Colin Petersen die within days of each other
As a music enthusiast who grew up dancing to the rhythmic harmonies of the Bee Gees, I find it profoundly sad to learn about the passing of two of their former drummers, Colin “Smiley” Petersen and Dennis Bryon, within days of each other. Their contributions to the quintessential disco group during the 1960s and 1970s were pivotal in creating the iconic sound that captivated millions around the world.
Two former drummers of the iconic disco band Bee Gees, Colin “Smiley” Petersen and Dennis Bryon, who played with the group during the 1960s and 1970s, have sadly passed away just a few days apart from one another.
It was shared on the Best of the Bee Gees’ Facebook page on Monday that Petersen, the original drummer of the successful band, had passed away.
With great sadness, we share the news that our cherished friend Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen has passed away. He brought warmth, affection, and esteem to our circle, connecting us with kindness, concern, and regard. It seems impossible to imagine continuing without his radiant smile and profound friendship. Goodbye Col, you will be deeply missed. Farewell in peace.
According to Evan Webster and Sue Camilleri, who collaborated with him on the tribute concert “The Best of the Bee Gees,” Petersen passed away following a fall. His age at the time was 78 years old.
Byron, drummer for the “Saturday Night Fever” band from 1973 and throughout its disco revival period, passed away at the age of 76. This was announced by Blue Weaver, a former keyboardist for The Bee Gees who also played alongside Byron in the Welsh rock group Amen Corner, on Facebook last Thursday. No specific cause or date of death were disclosed.
In his message, Weaver expressed his speechless state. He had been asked to share news of Bryon’s passing with friends and admirers. The suddenness of the event was a complete surprise. Dennis has been my friend since we were in our first band at the age of 15. His incredible drumming will forever be remembered as timeless.
As a fellow music enthusiast and fan of Andy Fairweather Low, I can’t help but reminisce about the incredible talent he shared with us. His late bandmate, the exceptional drummer from Amen Corner, was not just a musical partner, but also a cherished friend.
On Facebook, the musician expressed gratitude on Thursday for his fortunate encounter with Bryon from Amen Corner, who stayed with them throughout their musical journey. Not only did he create delicious curries, but he was an exceptional friend. I feel blessed to have known him as he went on to achieve greater success with the BG’s.
In his youth, Petersen – famously known as Smiley Greevins from the iconic 1956 Australian film “Smiley” – attended school with Barry Gibb and his brothers Maurice and Robin Gibb. Although they didn’t attend at the same time, Petersen interacted with the Gibbs before the British trio departed Sydney and later when Petersen relocated to the UK in the 1960s to focus on acting professionally.
The Gibbs have been a musical group since 1958, forming it while residing in Brisbane, Australia. Barry Gibb was 12 years old, and the twins were 9 at the time. Unfortunately, Barry is now the last surviving family member; Maurice passed away in 2003 at 53, Robin died in 2012 at 62, and Andy, their younger brother, a popular solo artist, tragically passed away in 1988 at 30.
In 1966 and 1967, Petersen and Australian guitarist Vince Melouney became part of the group known as the Bee Gees (originally the Brothers Gibb), and during their tenure, Petersen played a significant role in four of the band’s albums, including hits such as “Massachusetts,” “To Love Somebody,” and “Words.
The founding drummer stayed with the band up until 1969. Later, Petersen teamed up with a past Bee Gees member named Jonathan Kelly and British musician Tim Staffell to establish Humpy Bong. In the 1970s, he also handled management for Kelly as a solo performer.
Born in Cardiff, Wales, Byron started drumming at the age of 14. Later, he teamed up with Weaver and renowned guitarist Andy Fairweather Low in Amen Corner before trying out for the Bee Gees. As a percussionist, he became part of the band in 1973 and contributed to nine of their No. 1 hits, including “Nights on Broadway,” “You Should Be Dancin’,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” “More Than a Woman,” and others.
In his later life, Byron carried on with studio work and live performances, eventually settling in Nashville. He penned a memoir titled “You Should Be Dancing” in 2015 and collaborated in the instrumental duo Strong & Bryon. As stated on his website, he and Ringo Starr of The Beatles are the only drummers who have had five songs charting simultaneously on Billboard’s Top 10.
When Byron entered the Bee Gees, their fame and that of disco music skyrocketed as the band’s catchy harmonies were showcased in the 1977 movie “Saturday Night Fever.” The soundtrack from this film became a massive hit, earning the Bee Gees four Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. Throughout their career, they amassed 30 Top 40 hits and were honored with the Grammy Legend Award in 2003 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. In 1997, the Bee Gees were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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2024-11-20 00:01