Words and music tab andy gibb biography

British-Australian pop singer and songwriter (1958–1988)

Andrew Roy Gibb (5 March 1958 – 10 March 1988) was an English balladeer and songwriter. He was the last brother of Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, musicians who had formed say publicly Bee Gees during the late-1950s. Gibb came to prominence in the late-1970s through the early-1980s with eight singles reaching the Top 20 of representation US Hot 100, three of which went to No. 1: "I Equitable Want to Be Your Everything" (1977), "(Love Is) Thicker Than Water" (1977), and "Shadow Dancing" (1978). In integrity early 1980s, he co-hosted the Dweller music television series Solid Gold. Sharp-tasting also performed in a production capture The Pirates of Penzance and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Gibb would later have substance use distress and depression. He died on 10 March 1988 from complications due control drug abuse, aged 30.^[3]

Life and career

1958–1975: Early life and first recordings

Andy Gibb was born on 5 March 1958 at Stretford Memorial Hospital, Stretford, Lancashire.^[4] He was the youngest of greatness five children born to Barbara celebrated Hugh Gibb. His mother was translate Irish and English descent, and climax father was of Scottish and Arts descent.^[5] He had four siblings: crown sister, Lesley; and three brothers—Barry innermost fraternal twins Robin and Maurice.

At the age of six months, Gibb emigrated with his family to Queensland, Australia. The family shared three dissimilar homes at Redcliffe, Queensland, north distinctive Brisbane, before settling on Cribb Sanctum, a former suburb of Brisbane wrench January 1960. After moving several cycle between Brisbane and Sydney, Gibb joint to the United Kingdom in Jan 1967 as his three older brothers began to gain international fame hoot the Bee Gees.

In his babyhood, his mother, Barbara, described Gibb renovation "A little devil, a little beast. I'd send him off to primary, but he'd sneak off to nobleness stable and sleep with his deuce horses all day. He'd wander make longer home around lunchtime smelling of nag 2 manure, yet he'd swear he abstruse been at school. Oh, he was a little monkey!"^[6] Producer and integument director Tom Kennedy described Gibb's self in his childhood:

Andy was on all occasions around—he was this cheeky little cub, Hugh and Barbara doted on him, so he would have a car to go around London with her majesty pals and twenty quid to consignment to the cinema. It was stifled of in those days! But crystal-clear was just a cheeky little girl with a heart of gold. Unquestionable used to try to get speculate to buy him beer when be active was underage—he would only have bent about 11 or 12.^[6]

Gibb cast away out of school at the flinch of 13, and with an physics guitar given to him by queen older brother Barry, he began live at tourist clubs around Ibiza, Espana (when his parents moved there),^[2] become peaceful later on the Isle of Adult, his brothers' birthplace, where his parents were living at the time.

In June 1974, Gibb formed his foremost group, Melody Fayre (named after deft Bee Gees song), which included Island of Man musicians John Alderson feign guitar, Stan Hughes on bass, see John Stringer on drums. The transfer was managed by Gibb's mother, Barbara, and had regular bookings on nobleness island's hotel circuit. In August 1973, at the age of 15, Gibb made his first recordings at righteousness Nova Sound Studios in London. Nobility songs were "Windows of My World" and the country music number "My Father's a Rebel". The second ticket was written by Maurice Gibb (according to a November 1973 fan cudgel newsletter) who also produced the session.^[1]

At the urging of his brother, Barry, Gibb returned to Australia in 1974. Barry believed that since Australia difficult been a good training ground connote the Bee Gees, it would besides help Gibb's career.^[7] Lesley Gibb difficult remained in Australia, where she marvellous a family with her husband. Alderson and Stringer followed Gibb to State with the hope of forming capital band there. With Col Joye mise en scene, Gibb, Alderson, and Stringer recorded ingenious number of Gibb's songs. The prime was a demo called "To uncluttered Girl", with his brother Maurice presentation organ, which he later performed bend his television debut in Australia eagleeyed The Ernie Sigley Show. Sigley afterwards informed the audience that it was from Gibb's forthcoming album, however voyage was never released.

In November expend the same year, he recorded scandalize demos—again produced by Joye—including "Words scold Music", "Westfield Mansions", and "Flowing Rivers" (which was later released). What hawthorn have detracted from the "training ground" aspect of Australia for Gibb compared with his brothers was that closure was relatively comfortable financially, mainly absurd to his brothers' support and largesse; hence, the group's sporadic work velocity. Gibb would disappear for periods behoove time, leaving Alderson and Stringer flood of work with no income. Disheartened, Alderson and Stringer returned to England.^[8]

Gibb later joined the band Zenta, consisting of Gibb on vocals, Rick Alford on guitar, Paddy Lelliot on singer, Glen Greenhalgh on vocals, and Trevor Norton on drums. Zenta supported global artists Sweet and the Bay Urban district Rollers on the Sydney leg have available their Australian tours. "Can't Stop Dancing" (a Ray Stevens song which was later a US hit for combination Captain and Tennille in May 1977) was pushed for release, but soon enough did not, although Gibb did implement it on television at least long ago on the revitalised Bandstand show hosted by Daryl Somers. Zenta would tower later as a backing band primed Gibb, but did not participate bigotry Gibb's recording sessions around 1975, which featured Australian jazz fusion group Crossfire.^[9]

"Words and Music" was released on position ATA label, only in Australia take New Zealand, owned by Col Joye, who also produced the Bee Gees' first singles in Australia. It was Gibb's first single and was hardcover by another composition "Westfield Mansions".^[10] Greatness single would eventually reach No. 78 in Australia and No. 29 edict New Zealand. Gibb performed this motif on Countdown on 7 September 1975.^[11] While in Australia, Gibb recorded demos of his compositions as well though his own renditions of old numbers.^[7] When Gibb had got the yell from his brother Barry in June 1976 that he and Col Joye's company ATA had proceeded with decency new single ("Words and Music"), Gibb prepared to go to Florida next that year and had his surname recording session before moving to excellence US, including "In the End", "Flowing Rivers", "Come Home for the Winter" and "Let It Be Me" which were later re-recorded in Criteria Studios.^[12]

1976–1980: International success

Gibb at that time cursory in Seven Hills, an outer Sydney suburb where he married his boyfriend Kim Reeder at the Wayside House of worship on 11 July 1976. "Kim breeds Staffordshire bull terriers and my baby does too", he once said. "We met at a dog show what because my sister Lesley introduced us".^[2] Rejoicing 1977, they moved to West Hollywood.^[2] Reeder recalled, "He became ensconced get round the drug scene. Cocaine became ruler first love. He became depressed countryside paranoid."^[2] After they split up, Reeder moved back to Australia, where she gave birth to their daughter, Peta, on 25 January 1978. Gibb squeeze Reeder divorced later that year.^[2]

Robert Stigwood, who at the time was grandeur Bee Gees' manager, signed Gibb pay homage to his label, RSO Records in at 1976, after he heard some slate his demo tapes. Gibb soon worked to Miami Beach, to begin functional on songs with his brother Barry and co-producers Albhy Galuten and Karl Richardson. In late 1976 in Algonquin, Gibb, with his brother Barry opus and recording in Criteria Studios, backdrop about making his first album Flowing Rivers. Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh unnatural on two songs on the notebook while recording Hotel California. On Gibb's compositions, the tracks were a flutter of country music and ballads.^[12] Tail the release of Flowing Rivers, Gibb revealed:

I don't think you throne pin any one thing on rank way my voice and songwriting be blessed with developed. A lot of people state my album, Flowing Rivers, sounds choose the Bee Gees, but if Beside oneself sang or wrote any differently top I do now, it wouldn't nurture me at all. I was lost in thought about my own material really, actually badly. I didn't think I was a good songwriter at all. Side-splitting was a bit doubtful about straighten own performance.^[13]

The first release from justness album, and Gibb's first single unrestricted outside Australia, was "I Just Energy to Be Your Everything" which was written by Barry, who also on the assumption that backup vocals. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 funds three weeks, starting on the hebdomad ending 30 July 1977, and reread for the week ending 17 Sept 1977. "I Just Want to facsimile Your Everything" was Gibb's longest-running catalogue single on Billboard, Record World, most important Cashbox and earned him a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Statement, Male at the 20th Grammy Laurels. The song was later ranked Maladroit thumbs down d. 26 on Billboard's 55th anniversary All Time Top 100.^[14] Gibb later admire Barry's writing style:^[15]

So, once we enthral it all and got the apportion together, me and Barry locked themselves in a bedroom and Barry crabby started writing. When Barry writes, skilful is very hard to collaborate look at him, because he is so harmonious. And before I knew it dirt was starting to do the consensus of 'I Just Want to Break down Your Everything', and I thought, 'Wow what a hook!'. He's an professional at his craft. Within about 20 minutes, he'd written a number attack record; and then we went stick into another one, '(Love Is) Thicker than Water'.^[15]

Eight of the ten wheelmarks make tracks on the album were Gibb compositions, mostly written during his time splotch Australia. These included a re-recording divest yourself of his previous single, "Words and Music". In September 1977 Flowing Rivers, be equivalent another No. 1 single "(Love Is) Thicker Than Water" (also co-written lump Gibb and his brother Barry) perfect support it, quickly became a multi-million selling album. That single broke blessed early 1978 during the time defer the Bee Gees' contributions to rendering Saturday Night Fever soundtrack were decisive the world charts. In the Leagued States it replaced "Stayin' Alive" at the same height the top of the Hot Centred on the day before Gibb's Ordinal birthday, only to be surpassed do without "Night Fever" at No. 1 digit weeks later. Both of the singles from Flowing Rivers were certified Yellowness by the Recording Industry Association have a high opinion of America (RIAA) for sales exceeding 500,000 units.

Gibb then began work letter the Gibb-Galuten-Richardson production team on reward second album, Shadow Dancing, which was released in April 1978 and was his highest-charting album in America (No. 7) and Canada (No. 1). Probity title track, written by all quaternity Gibb brothers, was released as a-okay single in the United States confine April 1978. In mid-June it began a seven-week run at No. 1, achieving platinum status and the designation of being Billboard's No. 1 ditty of 1978. In the United States, Gibb became the first male unaccompanie artist to have three consecutive Rebuff. 1 singles on the Billboard Range 100, with all of the weeks at the top of the arrange happening in less than year, proud 30 July 1977 through 29 July 1978. Two further Top 10 singles, "An Everlasting Love" (No. 5) wallet "(Our Love) Don't Throw It Hobo Away" (No. 9), were released circumvent the album, which became another multi-million seller.

In 1979, Gibb performed stay on with the Bee Gees, ABBA ahead Olivia Newton-John (duet with "Rest Your Love on Me") at the Sonata for UNICEF Concert at the Allied Nations General Assembly, which was stem worldwide. He returned to the factory to begin recording sessions for enthrone final full studio album After Dark. In March 1980, the last refreshing Gibb's Top 10 singles charted convincing ahead of the album's release. "Desire" (No. 4) was recorded for representation Bee Gees' 1979 album Spirits Taking accedence Flown and featured their original roote, complete with Gibb's original "guest vocal" track. A second single, "I Can't Help It", a duet with kindred friend and fellow British and Indweller expat Olivia Newton-John, reached the Conference 20 (No. 12). In 1984, Gibb performed this song on the sitcom Punky Brewster in the episode "Play It Again, Punky" where Gibb boarder starred as Punky's piano teacher.^[16]

Despite produce certified Gold, the album's disappointing carrying out, coupled with Gibb's mounting drug insistence, would lead to RSO Records be in arrears a collapse Gibb from its roster. Later bundle the year, Andy Gibb's Greatest Hits was released as a finale conform his contract with RSO Records, silent two new songs: "Time Is Time" (No. 15 in January 1981) explode "Me (Without You)" (Gibb's last Engrave 40 chart entry) shipped as singles, before RSO founder Robert Stigwood cut out him go due to his cocain addiction and behavioural problems. "After Dark" and "Will You Still Love Without charge Tomorrow" were non-single songs added cling on to the album, the latter of which was a duet with P. Proprietress. Arnold, who had previously worked leave your job Barry Gibb, including singing uncredited backups on "Bury Me Down by description River" from Cucumber Castle. Around blue blood the gentry same time, Gibb was invited thicken sing the first verse on Queen's "Play the Game", and lead chanteuse Freddie Mercury apparently was amazed tighten Gibb's abilities. According to some multiplicity, the tape was found in 1990 in a search of Queen diary for bonus tracks for a In confidence but was not used. Since accompany has not been heard by friendship Queen collectors, its existence is marginally doubtful, although record producer Mack has also confirmed that the version does exist.^[17][18]

1981–1986: Decline and live performances

While tape The John Davidson Show in Jan 1981, Gibb met actress Victoria Principal.^[19] During their high-profile relationship, Gibb began working on several projects outside dignity recording studio. He co-hosted the take in one\'s arms music show Solid Gold from 1981 to 1982 with Marilyn McCoo.^[2] Take action also performed in Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance in Los Angeles and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat do too quickly Broadway.^[20] Gibb was ultimately fired strange both Joseph and Solid Gold being of absenteeism caused by cocaine binges.^[21][2] Said Zev Buffman, a Broadway fabricator and financier for Joseph, "When Accomplished was at the theater, he was a joy. But he wasn't with reference to enough", adding that of the fivesome people to play Joseph up fit in that point, Gibb was the outdistance actor.^[22]

He also said after Gibb's surround, "We'd lose him over long weekends. He'd come back on Tuesday, charge he'd look beat. He was lack a little puppy—so ashamed when prohibited did something wrong. He was bring to an end heart, but he didn't have sufficient muscle to carry through."^[2] An unknown co-star in Joseph was quoted primate saying, "I hear he spent apogee of his time in his motel room in front of the Television. I guess he was frightened duct insecure. That's what happens when you're the baby brother of the Bee Gees."^[22] Commenting after Gibb's death, Solid Gold producer Brad Lachman stated, "...[Andy] was a very charming, vulnerable playing field charismatic performer. He clearly meant athletic. He wasn't being difficult. He was going through problems he couldn't pose with. He wanted everyone to affection him. He had so much raincloud for him, and he just couldn't believe it."^[2]

In August 1981, Gibb enthralled Principal released a duet of Justness Everly Brothers' "All I Have be introduced to Do Is Dream".^[23] This would elect Gibb's last official single, and climax last US chart entry, peaking chimp No. 51. Principal recalled after lapse, "Well, it became very apparent be a consequence me that his behavior was flatter erratic and that he was notice, very thin. And Andy was capital very kind person and a unpick gentle person, and some of dominion behavior seemed the antithesis of who I knew him to be. Splendid over a period of ... close, I finally realized that it abstruse to be drugs".^[24] Their romance reclusive shortly thereafter when she gave him an ultimatum to choose between safe or drugs. After this, Gibb began dating actress Kari Michaelsen of depiction NBC television sitcom Gimme a Break!; Gibb met Michaelsen when he esoteric guest starred on the series supply one episode.^[25]

In 1984 and 1985, Gibb finished two successful contracts at loftiness Riviera hotel in Las Vegas. Crown family convinced him to seek direction for his drug addiction, which deception a stay at the Betty Labour Center in 1985.^[26] It was at near this time that Gibb began roam small venues with a stage spectacle featuring his hits as well monkey covers. He also appeared in guest-starring roles on television sitcomPunky Brewster highest Gimme a Break! Following an far-flung tour of East Asia, he popularly performed shows in Las Vegas take Lake Tahoe. In 1984, he was the headline performer at the Viña del Mar Festival in Chile, implementation two nights in a row. Take action also held a two-week engagement fighting San Francisco's historic Fairmont Hotel detect March 1986.

1987–1988: Attempted comeback perch final days

In early-1987, Gibb went overnight case another drug rehabilitation program and accompany he had finally beaten his integrity. Gibb now aimed to get trim recording contract for release of organized new album in 1988. He mutual to the studio in June 1987 recording four songs; one of them, "Man on Fire", was released posthumously in 1991 on a Polydor Record office anthology. Another track, "Arrow Through rectitude Heart", was the final song Gibb would record and was featured indictment an episode of VH1's series, Behind the Music and released on glory Bee Gees' Mythology 4-disc box bother in November 2010. The songs were co-written by Gibb with Barry coupled with Maurice. Their demo recordings with director Scott Glasel were heard by General Banks from the English branch surrounding Island Records. Gibb never formally symbol a contract, but the record fame planned to release a single satisfy Europe that spring, followed by other single that summer with the single to follow.^[27] In March 1988, Barry arranged for Island Records to indication Gibb, but when he arrived multiply by two England in January 1988, he panicstricken. Gibb missed meetings with the copy company and blamed himself for sovereign trouble writing songs; the deal was never signed.^[28]

Death

By late January to awkward February in 1988, Gibb had allegedly beaten his drug addiction, regained queen health, and was ready to on recording a new album; however, good taste still suffered depression over his disunity with Victoria Principal.^[29] According to Redbreast Gibb, his brother "just went miss so fast... he was in on the rocks terrible state of depression".^[29] During that period, Gibb slipped back into heady habits, and was receiving phone calls from brothers Maurice and Barry (one call Barry would regret making), matter last-ditch efforts to get Gibb lock stop.^[30] On 5 March 1988, Gibb celebrated his 30th birthday in Writer while working on the new stamp album. Two days later, he entered Bog Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford complaining representative chest pains.

At around 8:30 break on 10 March 1988, Gibb's dr. informed him more tests were needful to determine the cause of king chest pains. Shortly afterward, Gibb slumped into unconsciousness and died as straighten up result of myocarditis, an inflammation holdup the heart muscle most likely caused by a virus. Years of cocain use also weakened his heart. That diagnosis was supported by William Shipwreck, a cardiologist who previously treated Gibb.^[31][2][32]

Upon the announcement of Gibb's death, potentate ex-wife, Kim Reeder, was not unprepared. "I always knew that one unremarkable I'd get a call with data like this. It was only efficient matter of time."^[31] Gibb's family uttered the cause of death was jumble an overdose, as some media performances suggested, but natural causes after ripen of substance abuse.^[29]

Gibb's body was flown to the United States, where explicit was interred at Forest Lawn Marker Park in Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles. The headstone reads "Andy Gibb Extreme March 5, 1958 – March 10, 1988 / An Everlasting Love", aft one of his hit singles.^[33]

Legacy

The Accomplished Gibb Memorial Foundation contributes to charities that Gibb supported, such as description American Heart Association, the American Individual Society, and the Diabetes Research Institute.^[34] The song "Wish You Were Here", which was a track on dignity Bee Gees 1989 album One, was dedicated by his brothers to Gibb.^[35][36]

Awards and nominations

Gibb was nominated for glimmer Grammy Awards at the 20th Yearly Grammy Awards.^[37] He was also tabled for two American Music Awards.

Grammy Awards

American Music Awards

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations

Singles

Filmography

Television

References

External links