Bee Gees’ star dead aged 76 just four days before the death of band’s drummer Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen
In reflecting upon the lives and careers of Colin Petersen and Vince Melouney, two extraordinary individuals who graced us with their talents, I find myself deeply moved by their remarkable journeys. Both men hailing from Australia, they carved out a niche for themselves in the world of music that transcended geographical boundaries and touched millions of hearts.
76-year-old Dennis Bryon, a former drummer for The Bee Gees, has sadly passed away, marking the second death among Bee Gees drummers within a week’s time.
From 1973 to 1981, this musician performed with a band, and tragically passed away in Nashville on Thursday, November 14. Ironically, Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen, who was 78 years old, also died four days later.
It was Blue Weaver, a fellow musician, who shared the news of Dennis’ death. They had both performed together in the Welsh rock band known as Amen Corner.
He took to his Facebook to reveal the devastating news and voice his shock and sadness, writing: ‘I am lost for words at the moment… Dennis has passed away.
Hello everyone,
Dennis has been a friend of mine ever since we played in our first band at the age of fifteen. His exceptional drum skills have been keeping the rhythm in our lives for all these years.
It was announced that Colin, the founding drummer for the Bee Gees, who contributed significantly to their initial success, passed away on November 18.
Although Dennis wasn’t officially a member of the Bee Gees, he stepped in to play the drums for their backup band following Colin’s departure in 1969.
Initially, Geoff Bridgford served as a temporary substitute. However, the band opted to employ touring drummers rather than permanent band members, eventually recruiting Dennis.
On their studio albums, Mr. Natural (1974), Main Course (1975), Children of the World (1976), and Spirits Having Flown (1979), he provided drumming. Additionally, he contributed to their renowned tracks on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, which was a massive hit in 1977.
From 1973 to 1980, he joined the Bee Gees on every recording, TV appearance, and tour. This span includes nine number one singles, making it notable that he, alongside Ringo Starr, is one of the two drummers who had five songs charting simultaneously on Billboard’s top ten.
It was through Alan Kendall, the band’s lead guitarist, that Dennis obtained his drummer position after being invited to try out for the Gibb brothers.)
He remembered: “In the year 1972, following the disbandment of Amen Corner, I was residing in a London apartment. Coincidentally, another guitarist named Alan Kendall lived in the same building as me.
One time, Alan mentioned he had been playing with the Bee Gees and casually proposed they might be seeking a drummer. He asked if I showed any interest.
‘Alan escorted me to Barry Gibb’s residence, where I had an audition. It was there that I first encountered Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb.’
Dennis leaves behind his second spouse and music collaborator, Kayte Strong, while his first wife, Jenny, passed away due to breast cancer in 2010.
Meanwhile Colin is survived by his ex-wife Joanne and their sons Jaime and Ben.
His drumming played a crucial role in several of the band’s albums, such as the trailblazing Bee Gees’ 1st, significantly contributing to the group’s rise to global fame.
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He contributed to their timeless hits such as Massachusetts, To Love Somebody, and Words.
Prior to his successful music career, Colin gained significant recognition as a child actor, notably for his role in the timeless Australian movie “Smiley.” This role cemented the moniker by which he is still affectionately known.
Redefining himself on both the screen and the stage solidified his standing as a multifaceted artist, excelling in two challenging professions.
Lately, Colin has been connecting with fans once again by participating in The Best of the Bee Gees tribute concert.
During a 2022 conversation with Jason Barnard on The Strange Brew Podcast, he looked back on his tenure with the band, offering intriguing glimpses into their artistic methods and his distinctive approach to drumming.
In my line of work, I’ve had the privilege of delving into the creative processes of many iconic artists. During our studio sessions, the Bee Gees and I would frequently enter the recording space without a pre-written song. This allowed for an exhilarating freedom to explore different tempos and rhythms, fostering a collaborative energy that was truly unique.
The tracks possessed an authentic feel of improvisation since we collaboratively produced them without recording individual parts independently. Instead, we performed and captured everything synchronously, with the orchestra joining in at a later stage.
The recording process wasn’t always smooth, however.
Occasionally, we’d invest several hours at the studio, only to find ourselves unable to create anything coherent. We’d then gather our things and vow to try again tomorrow. However, when creativity struck, we’d manage to produce three complete backing tracks in a single night, as he remembered.
Colin additionally discussed his perspective on drumming, viewing it more like an organic part of the music instead of a platform for displaying technical skills.
Although I may not be the most proficient technician on the drums, I believe in the idea that sometimes simplicity can be more impactful. Being constrained often forces one to think outside the box, much like Chuck Berry who created enchantment with minimal chords. For me, it has always been about catering to the song.
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2024-11-20 13:49