Introduction:
The Bee Gees. For many, the name instantly conjures images of glittering lights, soaring falsettos, and rhythms that defined an era. Yet, before they became global titans of the dance floor, the Brothers Gibb – Barry, Robin, and Maurice – were honing their craft, creating music imbued with a youthful charm and a harmonic sensibility that already hinted at their extraordinary future. To truly appreciate the arc of their phenomenal career, one must travel back to their formative years, particularly their time in Australia, where they began to blossom as songwriters and performers.
Nestled within their early catalogue, specifically on their second Australian LP, Spicks and Specks (released in 1966, though some tracks were recorded earlier), lies a delightful piece titled “Take Hold Of That Star.” This isn’t the Bee Gees of Saturday Night Fever; this is the sound of ambition taking flight, penned by a young Barry Gibb. The track captures a distinct moment in time, both for the band and for pop music itself. It’s a gentle, almost naive, clarion call wrapped in the close harmonies that would become their unmistakable signature.
Listening to “Take Hold Of That Star” today offers a fascinating glimpse into their development. The arrangement is relatively simple, characteristic of the mid-60s pop landscape – a blend of folk-pop sensibilities with a touch of Merseybeat influence perhaps, but unmistakably Gibb. The melody possesses an earnest sweetness, carried primarily by Barry’s clear lead vocal, with Robin and Maurice providing those ethereal, familial harmonies that blend so seamlessly. The lyrics speak of aspiration, of reaching for something distant and bright – a theme perfectly suited to a young band dreaming of making its mark on the world stage. It’s a song imbued with optimism, a gentle encouragement to pursue one’s dreams, delivered with a sincerity that resonates even now. It stands as a testament to their innate melodic gifts and their early grasp of crafting affecting pop songs, long before the world learned to dance to their beat. It’s a reminder that greatness often has humble, yet beautifully crafted, beginnings.