CAIRO - Music has always been a part of my life. As a child I grew up listening to countless bands and artists, who were popular at the time. I went back in time to appreciate and enjoy the works of more artists and different genres. Music wise, no-one… and I mean NO-ONE at all made an impact on me the way the Bee Gees did. Now you know that this article is dedicated to Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, who died two days ago. In fact, I was working on a totally different article when I got the news and I thought I'd write what would be my humble tribute to an exceptional artist and of course a unique member of an extraordinary band. In January 2003, I refused to write an article about his twin Maurice upon hearing of his death. It was a great shock. I was in the office when I received a phone call from a musician friend who actually called to offer his condolences! Yes those who know me know how much I've always loved this band. On that day five people asked me to write about Maurice but I didn't want to feel miserable while writing such an article. The death of Robin was expected in a way because he was battling with cancer and also had other serious health problems for a while. He even went into a coma recently, but came round. As a child, the Bee Gees music was always there in my life. When I was 11 I fell off a horse, landed on my elbow and broke it. It was serious and they had to operate on it before putting on a cast, then therapy lasted for three months. One day my therapist got me a music magazine with the Bee Gees on its cover and I was thrilled. What I used to love the most about this trio was the amazing vocals. I guess even back then I wanted to be a singer but I didn't know it at such a young age. I used to copy their singing and reached all those high notes very easily until my voice broke. Gradually, I learned more about music and realised that the harmony in the Bee Gees' voices and music was exceptional. My English got better and I was able to understand what the three brothers were singing about, even in that falsetto voice. Each of them was very special in a different way. Of course elder brother Barry was the front man, who sang more solo tracks or parts and was the most productive songwriter, writing monster hits for numerous artists. Robin's twin, Maurice, was the multi-instrumentalist and also the funniest on stage. As for Robin, his voice was out of this world. I know he sounded nasal but still his singing was different from anything I've ever heard. His soulful performance was a asset to many of the Bee Gees' hits, especially sad ones. I guess you will agree if you listen just once to songs like ‘I Started a Joke' and ‘I Can't See Nobody' or even his solo parts on ‘I've Gotta Get a Message to You' and ‘Holiday', to name a few. In addition to this, Robin's unmistakable vibrato was a Bee Gees' trademark. As well as singing with Barry almost throughout ‘New York Mining Disaster 1941', Robin sang a short but heartfelt solo part on that track, which was the band's debut international hit. He also sang lead vocals on the Bee Gees first UK chart topper ‘Massachusetts'. His solo career was more successful than that of Barry. Robin had a string of hits even in Egypt with ‘Juliet', ‘Like a Fool' and ‘Boys Do Fall in Love'. The trio's younger brother Andy was never in the Bee Gees, but he was hugely successful as a solo artist and was heavily assisted in his career by his brothers, especially Barry. Andy died days after celebrating his 30th birthday. Maurice was minutes younger than Robin and he died couple of weeks after turning 53. The Gibb brothers are dying in that order – youngest first! Over the years I've interviewed countless artists and some of them are international stars. I had no problem at all and never freaked out. However, things would have been totally different if I were lucky enough to interview the Bee Gees. I think I would have been dumbstruck for a few minutes, then I would have blubbered about each and every one of the band's songs and how it made me do this and realise that... I don't have enough space to list all the awards the Bee Gees won and the remarkable achievements as well. In terms of success, Brothers Gibb are only to be compared to legends like the Beatles, Abba, Elvis and Michael Jackson. As soon as I found out about Robin's death I wrote on my Facebook “RIP Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees... I've never loved any band more than yours.” Comments started coming and they included “they were really wonderful”, “good music is now dead” and “may he rest in peace. My condolences to you Amr.” So my friends didn't only agree that this band was in a league of its own, but they paid their condolences to someone who never even met the Bee Gees… but will always love their music. If I had the choice, Bee Gees songs would be the soundtrack to my life. It has been a sad week… we lost legendary Algerian songstress Warda and the Queen of Disco Donna Summer on one day, then Robin. I am sure I'm not the only one who wants to thank them for the music that will never die. May they all rest in peace and may their families and fans cope with the loss and grief. My email is: [email protected]
