Introduction:
From basements in Manchester to the global stage, few musical journeys echo with the same resonance as that of the Bee Gees. In a candid conversation, one of the iconic Gibb brothers reflects on the early days, their creative philosophy, and the enduring power of songwriting.
Long before topping charts, the brothers were simply teenagers dreaming big in the quiet corners of their home. “We were writing songs in the basement without our parents even knowing,” he recalls. “While other kids were playing football, we were pretending to write the next big hit. It was like the Brontë sisters—but with guitars instead of skirts.”
Their journey took them from Manchester to Brisbane and Sydney, where they began honing their songwriting craft. Although they were still young, Australia played a formative role. “We developed our sound and identity there. Even though we were teenagers, we already knew what we wanted—to write songs that meant something.”
Surprisingly, none of the brothers had formal musical training. “The keyboard was never about playing live for me. It was a tool—to compose, to create.” Their approach was intuitive, driven by imagination and emotion rather than technical mastery.
And yet, despite this, their impact has been monumental. With over 6,000 cover versions of their songs circulating and a song catalogue ranked alongside Lennon and McCartney, the Bee Gees’ legacy is one of the most profound in pop history. “We never did it for the money. It was always about whether people would sing the songs.”
When asked what keeps him going, the answer is simple: joy. “It’s the fun of it. Keeping the engine running. We’re fortunate to be in a place where we can choose projects that inspire us—films, theatre, music. And coming back to places like Brisbane and even New Zealand—it’s refreshing. It brings it full circle.”
Plans for a film and theatrical productions about their lives are in motion, though details remain under wraps. Still, it’s evident that creativity remains at the heart of everything he touches. “It’s all about getting your mojo going,” he laughs. “That’s the only reason to do it now.”
Beyond music, his interests are diverse—history, painting, architecture. “I’d be a historian if I weren’t in music. I love English history, especially from the Norman period. There’s something haunting about walking streets that still smell of the Great Fire of London.”
With such a vast and influential body of work, it’s no surprise that new generations continue to discover Bee Gees music. Whether it’s Destiny’s Child, Faith No More, or a dance remix of “Guilty” storming the UK charts, the catalogue is alive, vibrant, and still finding new life.
“There are only eight notes,” he muses, “but it’s how you put them together. That’s the trick.”