Bee Gees Co-Founder Robin Gibb Dead, Aged 62

The music industry has been through a tough time recently with an array of legends passing away.

This morning another tragic loss will be added to the list with news that Bee Gees co-founder Robin Gibb has died after a long battle with colon and liver cancer. He was 62 years old.

According to News Limited, a statement from the Gibb family announced his death and asked for members of the public and media to respect their privacy.

“The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery,” read the statement. “The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time.”

Gibb’s long battle with cancer is well documented, and in February Gibb himself announced to the world that he had made a “spectacular” recovery thanks to the treatment he was receiving.

But his recovery was short-lived, and in April he contracted pneumonia, slipping into a coma.

Barry is now the sole-surviving member of the Bee Gees who have sold more then 200 million records worldwide. Gibb’s twin brother Maurice died of a heart attack in 2003 following intestinal surgery.

The Bee Gees’ catalogue of songs, which includes ‘Massachusetts’, ‘I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You’, ‘Lonely Days’, ‘How Can You Mend A Broken Heart’, ‘How Deep Is Your Love’ and ‘Stayin’ Alive’, led them to international fame and to their induction into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Not bad for a group of brothers who grew up and began their musical careers in Queensland.

Speaking to Ninemsn, broadcaster Paul Gambaccini said Gibb and the Bee Gees were second only to Lennon and McCartney as the most successful songwriting unit in British popular music.

“Their accomplishments have been monumental,” Gambaccini said. “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.”

Our thoughts go out to friends, family, and fans.