Maurice Gibb
Maurice Gibb |
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Maurice Ernest Gibb CBE (22 December 1949–12 January 2003), was a musician and singer-songwriter. He was born in Douglas, Isle of Man to English parents. The twin of Robin Gibb, Maurice was the younger by 35 minutes. He is best known as a member of the singing-songwriting trio the Bee Gees, formed with his brothers Robin and Barry. The trio had their start in Australia; their major success came when they returned to England where they had lived for several years as children.
Early years
Gibb grew up with his family in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, England. In 1958 he and his family moved to Brisbane, Australia, settling in one of the city's poorest suburbs, Cribb Island, which was subsequently demolished to make way for Brisbane Airport.
Career
see main article the Bee Gees
While in Brisbane, he and brothers Robin and Barry formed the Bee Gees. They moved back to England and signed with Robert Stigwood, which led to their becoming one of the most successful musical groups of the 1960s, 70s and 80s. In a career spanning five decades, the group sold over 180 million records.[1]
Maurice Gibb primarily sang harmony and played bass guitar, guitar, and keyboard, and was known as the musician of the group. He contributed to their writing team, especially their music. Occasionally he sang lead as well. Maurice was generally known as "the quiet one" (generally due to his actually being somewhat shy privately, and to his deference to his other brothers being spokesmen for the group). His reputation as a mild-mannered stabilising influence continued into later life. When the Bee Gees walked out of their interview with British chat show host Clive Anderson, Maurice was last to leave, with the words "Well I'd love to, but I don't do impressions." [citation needed]
In the late 1960s, Maurice made a brief attempt to break into acting, playing a role in a short-lived West End musical, Sing a Rude Song. While the musical did not earn rave reviews, Maurice's performance was said to be one of its bright spots.
He released two solo singles, one in 1970 and one in 1984, but he did not aggressively pursue a solo career as a singer away from the Bee Gees as his brothers did.
Personal life
He was married to the Scottish pop star Lulu from 1969 to 1973; they had no children, and the pressure of their respective commitments led to their divorce.
Together with his second wife Yvonne, Gibb had two children: Adam and Samantha.
Gibb loved the sport of paintball, and had a team which he called the Royal Rat Rangers, a reference to his being named a Commander of the British Empire, and to his time at the Little River AA group, where the members referred to each other as "river rats." He promoted the sport at every opportunity, and opened a paintball equipment shop, "Commander Mo's Paintball Shop," in North Miami Beach, Florida, which closed in 2005.
Maurice Gibb died unexpectedly at a Miami Beach, Florida, hospital on 12 January 2003, of complications of a twisted intestine, leading to cardiac arrest.
Awards
In 1994, Maurice Gibb was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and in 1997 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His catalogue is published by BMG Music Publishing.
In 2002 Maurice was made a Commander of the British Empire (CBE), along with his brothers, but the awards were not presented until 2004, after Maurice's death; his son Adam accompanied Barry and Robin to Buckingham Palace for the ceremony.
References
- ^ According to Beegees-world, as of December 2004 "The Bee Gees have sold over 120 million albums all over the world. Their total record sales (albums + singles sales) exceed 180 million. The figures would exceed 225 million if solo works and albums written and produced for other artists were added."