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Bee Gees star Robin Gibb 'requested How Deep Is Your Love for his funeral'
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Matthew Kruk
May 23, 2012, 6:05:04 AM5/23/12
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/9281438/Bee-Gees-star-Robin-Gibb-requested-How-Deep-Is-Your-Love-for-his-funeral.html
Bee Gees star Robin Gibb 'requested How Deep Is Your Love for his funeral'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vgwk8tUT5k
Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb spoke of his late twin brother in his final moments
and requested How Deep Is Your Love be played at his funeral, it has been
claimed.
By Hannah Furness
4:34PM BST 22 May 2012
The songwriter, who has died aged after a lengthy battle with cancer, is said to
have told his son Spencer, 40, he wanted the song as he lay on his death bed.
The song, which reached number one in America in 1977, was written by Robin and
his brothers Maurice and Barry.
A close friend told the Sun newspaper: "It's a beautiful song, penned by a
beautiful person. It couldn't be more appropriate when we all say goodbye."
The 62-year-old singer, who sold more than 200 million records during his
remarkable career, also spoke of his late twin brother Maurice in his final
moments.
He is said to have told family members: "I wish Mo was here, I can't believe he
is gone."
A friend told the Daily Mirror Gibb was "incredible to the end," adding: "He
talked constantly about touring again, working with his brother Barry, and about
how much he missed Maurice or Mo as he always called him.
"It was very moving to hear him speak so lovingly of his twin brother - as
though he had never quite accepted that he had gone and still felt the same
amazing connection between the two of them that they'd always had."
The friend added the "incredibly loving father" had woken from his coma to ask
for his son RJ.
Maurice died in January 2003 after complications arising during an operation on
a twisted intestine. Robin is said to have found it particularly difficult to
come to terms with the death, describing his brother as "part of the fabric of
my life".
Together with brother Barry, the pair helped turn disco into a global phenomenon
with hits including Stayin' Alive and Night Fever, which featured on the
soundtrack of the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever, starring John Travolta.
His family announced his death yesterday prompting an outpouring of grief from
fans and fellow members of the music industry.
Broadcaster Paul Gambaccini described the musician as "talented beyond even his
own understanding" and "one of the important figures in the history of British
music", while stars including Bryan Adams and Mick Hucknall also paid emotional
tributes.
A statement released by relatives said: "The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee
Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away following his long
battle with cancer and intestinal surgery. The family have asked that their
privacy is respected at this very difficult time."
Gibb had surgery on his bowel 18 months ago for an unrelated condition but a
tumour was discovered and he was diagnosed with cancer of the colon and
subsequently of the liver.
He fell into a coma last month after contracting pneumonia and was given 10 per
cent chance of survival but astounded loved-ones with his recovery, "beating the
odds" just days after doctors said he "was in God's hands".
His younger brother Andy, who was not part of the Bee Gees but a successful
singer in his own right, died in 1988 from heart failure at 30.
The Bee Gees' hits catalogue, which also includes Massachusetts, I've Gotta Get
A Message To You, Lonely Days, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart and How Deep Is
Your Love, led to their induction into both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters
Halls of Fame.
Gambaccini said: "Everyone should be aware that the Bee Gees are second only to
Lennon and McCartney as the most successful songwriting unit in British popular
music.
"Their accomplishments have been monumental. Not only have they written their
own number one hits, but they wrote huge hit records for Barbra Streisand, Diana
Ross, Dionne Warwick, Celine Dion, Destiny's Child, Dolly Parton and Kenny
Rogers, the list goes on and on.
"What must also be said is Robin had one of the best white soul voices ever. He
was singing lead on his first number one when he was 17, that was
Massachusetts."
Many people took to micro blogging site Twitter to pay their respects.
A statement posted by Sony Music said: "Rest in peace, Robin Gibb. Thanks for
the music."
Former deputy prime minister John Prescott wrote: "Just heard about Robin Gibb.
"A good friend, a brilliant musician and a man who turned all of us into wannabe
Travoltas!
"Rest in peace Robin."
Canadian rock star Adams was also among the stars paying tribute, saying: "Robin
Gibb RIP. Very sad to hear about yet another great singer dying too young."
Bee Gees star Robin Gibb 'requested How Deep Is Your Love for his funeral'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vgwk8tUT5k
Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb spoke of his late twin brother in his final moments
and requested How Deep Is Your Love be played at his funeral, it has been
claimed.
By Hannah Furness
4:34PM BST 22 May 2012
The songwriter, who has died aged after a lengthy battle with cancer, is said to
have told his son Spencer, 40, he wanted the song as he lay on his death bed.
The song, which reached number one in America in 1977, was written by Robin and
his brothers Maurice and Barry.
A close friend told the Sun newspaper: "It's a beautiful song, penned by a
beautiful person. It couldn't be more appropriate when we all say goodbye."
The 62-year-old singer, who sold more than 200 million records during his
remarkable career, also spoke of his late twin brother Maurice in his final
moments.
He is said to have told family members: "I wish Mo was here, I can't believe he
is gone."
A friend told the Daily Mirror Gibb was "incredible to the end," adding: "He
talked constantly about touring again, working with his brother Barry, and about
how much he missed Maurice or Mo as he always called him.
"It was very moving to hear him speak so lovingly of his twin brother - as
though he had never quite accepted that he had gone and still felt the same
amazing connection between the two of them that they'd always had."
The friend added the "incredibly loving father" had woken from his coma to ask
for his son RJ.
Maurice died in January 2003 after complications arising during an operation on
a twisted intestine. Robin is said to have found it particularly difficult to
come to terms with the death, describing his brother as "part of the fabric of
my life".
Together with brother Barry, the pair helped turn disco into a global phenomenon
with hits including Stayin' Alive and Night Fever, which featured on the
soundtrack of the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever, starring John Travolta.
His family announced his death yesterday prompting an outpouring of grief from
fans and fellow members of the music industry.
Broadcaster Paul Gambaccini described the musician as "talented beyond even his
own understanding" and "one of the important figures in the history of British
music", while stars including Bryan Adams and Mick Hucknall also paid emotional
tributes.
A statement released by relatives said: "The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee
Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away following his long
battle with cancer and intestinal surgery. The family have asked that their
privacy is respected at this very difficult time."
Gibb had surgery on his bowel 18 months ago for an unrelated condition but a
tumour was discovered and he was diagnosed with cancer of the colon and
subsequently of the liver.
He fell into a coma last month after contracting pneumonia and was given 10 per
cent chance of survival but astounded loved-ones with his recovery, "beating the
odds" just days after doctors said he "was in God's hands".
His younger brother Andy, who was not part of the Bee Gees but a successful
singer in his own right, died in 1988 from heart failure at 30.
The Bee Gees' hits catalogue, which also includes Massachusetts, I've Gotta Get
A Message To You, Lonely Days, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart and How Deep Is
Your Love, led to their induction into both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters
Halls of Fame.
Gambaccini said: "Everyone should be aware that the Bee Gees are second only to
Lennon and McCartney as the most successful songwriting unit in British popular
music.
"Their accomplishments have been monumental. Not only have they written their
own number one hits, but they wrote huge hit records for Barbra Streisand, Diana
Ross, Dionne Warwick, Celine Dion, Destiny's Child, Dolly Parton and Kenny
Rogers, the list goes on and on.
"What must also be said is Robin had one of the best white soul voices ever. He
was singing lead on his first number one when he was 17, that was
Massachusetts."
Many people took to micro blogging site Twitter to pay their respects.
A statement posted by Sony Music said: "Rest in peace, Robin Gibb. Thanks for
the music."
Former deputy prime minister John Prescott wrote: "Just heard about Robin Gibb.
"A good friend, a brilliant musician and a man who turned all of us into wannabe
Travoltas!
"Rest in peace Robin."
Canadian rock star Adams was also among the stars paying tribute, saying: "Robin
Gibb RIP. Very sad to hear about yet another great singer dying too young."
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