Bee Gees Founding Drummer Colin Petersen Dies at 78
Colin Petersen, the original drummer of the 1970s Australian-British pop-rock band The Bee Gees, has died at the age of 78.
His current band, Best of the Bee Gees, announced the death on Facebook early Tuesday in Australia (Nov. 19), which was highlighted with a photo of Petersen.
“It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our dear friend Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen,” the statement read. “He enriched our lives and bound our group with love, care and respect. Not sure how we can go on without his glowing smile and deep friendship. We love you Col. Rest in Peace.”
No cause of death was given either by his band or his family.
Petersen was not the only Bee Gees member to die recently, as People reported that his replacement, Dennis Bryon, died just four days prior on Nov. 14.
With Maurice and Robin Gibb also dying in the early 2000s, Sir Barry Gibb is the sole living member of the group.
He is survived by his wife Joanne Newfield and their sons Jaime and Ben.
From Queensland to England
Frederick Colin Petersen was born in 1946 in Kingaroy, in the Australian state of Queensland. Prior to joining the Gibb Brothers to form the Bee Gees, Petersen starred in the local film “Smiley” in 1956, which has since been connotated to him for the rest of his life.
He met the Gibb brothers at a middle school and was closely associated with Maurice despite him being classmates with Barry.
Petersen moved to England in 1966 shortly before the Gibb family returned there after migrating to Australia in 1958. The Gibb brothers recruited him to become their drummer, and alongside childhood friend Vince Melouney on lead guitars, the five formed The Bee Gees’ original lineup.
It was during Petersen’s time that some of the band’s legendary songs like “New York Mining Disaster 1941,” “To Love Somebody,” and “I Started a Joke” were produced.
According to Billboard, the drummer was involved in the band’s first six albums.
Returning to Australia
His stint with the band was short as he was removed in 1969, while Melouney and Robin Gibb left the band earlier. Afterwards, he and former Bee Gees member Jonathan Kelly formed the band Humpy Bong, which transitioned into a manager-talent relationship with Kelly as the solo artist.
The band also went in a quick succession of new and returning band members, but Petersen did not return to perform with the Gibb brothers after a royalties dispute.
Embittered by his loss in the court case against the Bee Gees regarding royalties, Petersen returned to Australia in 1974 to live a quiet life outside the limelight. He remained close with Melouney as he was the best man when Petersen married Newfield in 1968, but not to the Gibb brothers.
In the years leading to his death, Petersen was able to move forward productively as the drummer for Best of the Bee Gees, a tribute show highlighting the music during his involvement with the legendary band.