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Andy Gibb

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Andy Gibb
Gibb in 1979
Born
Andrew Roy Gibb

(1958-03-05)5 March 1958
Stretford,Lancashire,England
Died10 March 1988(1988-03-10)(aged 30)
Oxford,England
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park,Los Angeles,California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
  • actor
  • television presenter
Years active1967[1]–1988
Spouse
Kim Reeder
​
​
(m.1976;div.1978)​
[2]
Children1
Parent
Relatives
Musical career
OriginRedcliffe, Queensland,Australia
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Labels

Andrew Roy Gibb(5 March 1958 – 10 March 1988) was an English-Australian singer and songwriter. He was the younger brother ofBarry,Robin,andMauriceGibb, musicians who had formed theBee Geesduring the mid-1960s. Gibb came to prominence in the late 1970s through the early 1980s with eight singles reaching the Top 20 of the US Hot 100, three of which went to number one: "I Just Want to Be Your Everything"(1977),"(Love Is) Thicker Than Water"(1977), and"Shadow Dancing"(1978). In the early 1980s, he co-hosted the American music television seriesSolid Gold.He also performed in a production ofThe Pirates of PenzanceandJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.Gibb would later struggle with drug addiction and depression. He died on 10 March 1988, five days after his 30th birthday.[3]

Life and career[edit]

1958–1975: Early life and first recordings[edit]

Andrew Roy Gibb was born on 5 March 1958 atStretford Memorial Hospitalin Stretford, Lancashire.[4]He was the youngest of five children born to Barbara andHugh Gibb.His mother was of Irish and English descent, and his father was of Scottish and English descent.[5]He had four siblings: his sister, Lesley Evans; and three brothers—Barryand fraternal twinsRobinandMaurice.

At the age of six months, Andy Gibb emigrated with his family toQueensland,Australia, settling onCribb Islandjust north ofBrisbane.After moving several times betweenBrisbaneandSydney,Andy returned to the United Kingdom in January 1967 as his three older brothers began to gain international fame as theBee Gees.

In his childhood, his mother, Barbara, described Andy as "A little devil, a little monster. I'd send him off to school, but he'd sneak off to the stable and sleep with his two horses all day. He'd wander back home around lunchtime smelling of horse manure, yet he'd swear he had been at school. Oh, he was a little monkey!"[6]

Producer and film directorTom Kennedydescribed Andy's personality in his childhood:

Andy was always around—he was this cheeky little lad, Hugh and Barbara doted on him, so he would have a limo to go around London with his pals and twenty quid to go to the cinema. It was unheard of in those days! But he was just a cheeky little lad with a heart of gold. He used to try to get me to buy him beer when he was underage—he would only have been about 11 or 12.[6]

He quit school at the age of 13, and with anacoustic guitargiven to him by his older brother Barry, he began playing at tourist clubs aroundIbiza,Spain (when his parents moved there),[2]and later on theIsle of Man,his brothers' birthplace, where his parents were living at the time.

In June 1974, Gibb formed his first group, Melody Fayre (named after aBee Gees song), which included Isle of Man musicians John Alderson on guitar, Stan Hughes on bass, and John Stringer on drums. The group was managed by Andy's mother, Barbara, and had regular bookings on the small island's hotel circuit. Gibb's first recording, in August 1973, was a Maurice Gibb composition, "My Father Was a Rebel", which Maurice also produced and played on. It was not released. Another track on the session performed by him was "Windows of My World," co-written by him and Maurice.[1]

At the urging of his brother Barry, Gibb returned to Australia in 1974. Barry believed that, because Australia had been a good training ground for the Bee Gees, it would also help his youngest brother. Lesley Gibb had remained in Australia, where she raised a family with her husband. Both Alderson and Stringer followed Andy to Australia with the hope of forming a band there. WithCol Joyeproducing, Andy, Alderson, and Stringer recorded a number of Andy's compositions. The first song was a demo called "To a Girl" (with his brother Maurice playing organ), which he later performed on his television debut in Australia onThe Ernie Sigley Show.Sigley later informed the audience that it was from Gibb's forthcoming album, but it was never released. In November of the same year, he recorded six demos—again produced by Joye—including "Words and Music", "Westfield Mansions", and "Flowing Rivers" (which was later released). What may have detracted from the "training ground" aspect of Australia for Andy compared with his brothers was that Andy was relatively comfortable financially, mainly because of his brothers' support and their largesse; hence, the group's sporadic work rate. Andy would disappear for periods of time, leaving Alderson and Stringer out of work with no income. Despondent, Alderson and Stringer returned to the UK.[7]

Gibb later joined the band Zenta, consisting of Gibb on vocals, Rick Alford on guitar, Paddy Lelliot on bass, Glen Greenhalgh on vocals, and Trevor Norton on drums. Zenta supported international artistsSweetand theBay City Rollerson the Sydney leg of their Australian tours. "Can't Stop Dancing" (which was aRay Stevenssong and was later a US hit for duoCaptain and Tennillein May 1977) was mooted for release, but didn't happen, although Gibb did perform it on television at least once on the revitalisedBandstandshow hosted byDaryl Somers.Zenta would appear later as a backing band for Gibb, but did not participate on Gibb's recording sessions around 1975, which featured Australianjazz fusiongroupCrossfire.[8]

"Words and Music"was released on the ATA label, only in Australia and New Zealand, owned by Joye. It was his first single, the song, backed by another Andy Gibb composition" Westfield Mansions ".[9]The single would eventually reach the Top Twenty on the Sydney music charts in 1976; the ballad was one of his well-known hits.

1976–1980: International success[edit]

Andy at that time lived in Seven Hills, an outer Sydney suburb where he married his girlfriend Kim Reeder at the Wayside Chapel on July 11, 1976. "Kim breeds Staffordshire bull terriers and my sister does too", he once said. "We met at a dog show when my sister Lesley introduced us".[10]

In 1977 they moved to West Hollywood.[2]Reeder recalled, "He became ensconced in the drug scene. Cocaine became his first love. He became depressed and paranoid."[2]After they split up, Reeder moved back to Australia, where she gave birth to their daughter, Peta, on 25 January 1978, and they divorced later that year.

Robert Stigwood,who at the time was the Bee Gees' manager, signed Andy to his label,RSO Recordsin early 1976, after he heard some of Andy'sdemo tapes.Andy soon moved toMiami Beach, Florida,to begin working on songs with his brother Barry and co-producersAlbhy Galutenand Karl Richardson. In late 1976 inMiami,Andy, with older brother Barry producing and recording in the famedCriteria Studios,set about making his first albumFlowing Rivers.Eagles guitaristJoe Walshplayed on two songs on the album. The first release from the album, and Gibb's first single released outside Australia, was "I Just Want to Be Your Everything"which was written by Barry, who also provided backup vocals. It reached number one in the United States and Australia and was the most played record of the year. In Britain it was a lesser hit, just scraping into the Top 30. Eight of the ten tracks on the album were Andy Gibb compositions, mostly songs written during his time in Australia. These included a re-recording of his previous single," Words and Music ". In September 1977Flowing Rivers,with another number one single "(Love Is) Thicker Than Water"(also co-written by Gibb and his brother Barry) to support it, quickly became a million-selling album. That single broke in early 1978 during the time that the Bee Gees' contributions to theSaturday Night Feversoundtrack were dominating the world charts. In the United States it replaced "Stayin' Alive"at the top of the Hot 100 on the day before Andy's 20th birthday, only to be surpassed by"Night Fever"at number one there two weeks later.

Andy then began work with the Gibb-Galuten-Richardson production team on his second album,Shadow Dancing,which was released in April 1978 and was his highest-charting album in America and Canada. Thetitle track,written by all four Gibb brothers, was released as a single in the United States in April 1978. In mid-June it began a seven-week run at number one, achieving platinum status and the honour of beingBillboard's number one song of 1978. In the United States, Gibb became the first male solo artist to have three consecutive number one singles on theBillboardHot 100,with all of the weeks at the top of the chart happening in less than year, from 30 July 1977 through 29 July 1978. Two further Top Ten singles, "An Everlasting Love"(which reached number 5) and"(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away"(which reached number 9), were released from the album, which became another million seller.

In 1979, Gibb performed along with theBee Gees,ABBAandOlivia Newton-John(duet with "Rest Your Love on Me") at theMusic for UNICEF Concertat theUnited Nations General Assembly,which was broadcast worldwide. He returned to the studio to begin recording sessions for his final full studio albumAfter Dark.In March 1980, the last of Gibb's Top Ten singles charted just ahead of the album's release. "Desire"was recorded for the Bee Gees' 1979 albumSpirits Having Flownand featured their original track, complete with Andy's original "guest vocal" track. A second single, "I Can't Help It",a duet with family friend and fellow British and Australian expat Olivia Newton-John, reached the top 20.

Later in the year,Andy Gibb's Greatest Hitswas released as a finale to his contract with RSO Records, with two new songs: "Time Is Time"(number 15 in January 1981) and" Me (Without You) "(Gibb's last top-40 chart entry) shipped as singles, before RSO founder Robert Stigwood let him go due to his cocaine addiction and behavioural problems." After Dark "and"Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow"were non-single songs added to the album, the latter of which was a duet withP. P. Arnold,who had previously worked with Barry Gibb, including singing uncredited backups on "Bury Me Down by the River" fromCucumber Castle.

Around the same time, Gibb was invited to sing the first verse onQueen's "Play the Game",and lead singerFreddie Mercuryapparently was amazed with Gibb's abilities. According to some sources, the tape was found in 1990 in a search of Queen archives for bonus tracks for a CD but was not used. Since it has not been heard by any Queen collectors, its existence is somewhat doubtful, although record producerMackhas also confirmed that the version does exist.[11][12]

1981–1986: Decline and live performances[edit]

Gibb performing atFord's TheatreGala, 1981

While tapingThe John Davidson Showin January 1981, Gibb met actressVictoria Principal.[13]During their high-profile relationship, Gibb began working on several projects outside the recording studio. He co-hosted the television music showSolid Goldfrom 1981 to 1982 withMarilyn McCoo.[2]He also performed inGilbert & Sullivan'sThe Pirates of PenzanceinLos AngelesandAndrew Lloyd Webber'sJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor DreamcoatonBroadway.[14]Gibb was ultimately fired from bothJosephandSolid Goldbecause of absenteeism caused bycocainebinges.[15][2] SaidZev Buffman,a Broadway producer and financier forJoseph,"When Andy was at the theater, he was a joy. But he wasn't there enough", adding that of the five people to play Joseph up to that point, Gibb was the best actor.[16]He also said after Gibb's death, "We'd lose him over long weekends. He'd come back on Tuesday, and he'd look beat. He was like a little puppy—so ashamed when he did something wrong. He was all heart, but he didn't have enough muscle to carry through."[2]An unnamed co-star inJosephwas quoted as saying, "I hear he spent most of his time in his hotel room in front of the TV. I guess he was frightened and insecure. That's what happens when you're the baby brother of the Bee Gees."[16]Commenting after Gibb's death,Solid Goldproducer Brad Lachman stated, "...[Andy] was a very charming, vulnerable and charismatic performer. He clearly meant well. He wasn't being difficult. He was going through problems he couldn't deal with. He wanted everyone to love him. He had so much going for him, and he just couldn't believe it."[2]

In August 1981, Gibb and Principal released a duet ofthe Everly Brothers' "All I Have to Do Is Dream".[17]He reportedly heard her singing in the shower and convinced her to go into the studio with him.[18]This would be Gibb's last official single, and his last US chart entry, peaking at number 51.

Principal recalled after that, "Well, it became very apparent to me that his behavior was becoming erratic and that he was very, very thin. And Andy was a very kind person and a very gentle person, and some of his behavior seemed the antithesis of who I knew him to be. And over a period of... deduction, I finally realized that it had to be drugs".[19]

Their romance ended shortly thereafter when she gave him an ultimatum to choose between her or drugs. After this, Gibb began dating actressKari Michaelsenof theNBCtelevision sitcomGimme a Break!;Gibb met Michaelsen when he had guest starred on the series for one episode.[20]

In 1984 and 1985, Gibb did finish two successful contracts at theRivierahotel inLas Vegas.

His family convinced him to seek treatment for his drug addiction, which included a stay at theBetty Ford Centerin 1985.[21]It was during this time that Gibb began touring small venues with a stage show featuring his hits as well as covers. He also appeared in guest-starring roles on televisionsitcomPunky BrewsterandGimme a Break!Following an extensive tour ofEast Asia,he regularly performed shows in Las Vegas andLake Tahoe.In 1984, he was the headline performer at theViña del Mar FestivalinChile,performing two nights in a row. He also held a two-week engagement atSan Francisco's historicFairmont Hotelin March 1986.

1987–1988: Attempted comeback and final days[edit]

In the spring of 1987, Gibb went through another drug rehabilitation program and thought he had finally beaten his habits.

Gibb now aimed to get a recording contract for release of a new album in 1988. He returned to the studio in June 1987 recording four songs; one of them, "Man on Fire", was released posthumously in 1991 on aPolydor Recordsanthology. Another track, "Arrow Through the Heart",was the final song Andy would ever record and was featured on an episode ofVH1's series,Behind the Music,and released on the Bee Gees'Mythology4-disc box set in November 2010. The songs are co-written by Gibb with his brothers Barry and Maurice. Their demo recordings with engineer Scott Glasel were heard by Clive Banks from the UK branch ofIsland Records.Gibb never formally signed a contract but the record label planned to release a single in Europe that spring, followed by another single that summer with the album to follow.[22]

In early March 1988, Barry arranged for Island in England to sign Andy, but when he arrived in England in January 1988, he panicked. Andy missed meetings with the record company and blamed himself for his trouble writing songs. The deal was never signed.[23]

Death[edit]

By late January to early February in 1988, Gibb had seemingly beaten his drug addiction, regained his health, and was ready to begin recording a new album; however, he still suffered depression over his breakup with Victoria Principal.[24]According to Robin Gibb, his brother "just went downhill so fast... he was in a terrible state of depression".[24]During this period, Gibb slipped back into alcoholic habits, and was receiving phone calls from brothers Maurice and Barry (one call Barry would regret making), with last-ditch efforts to get Andy to stop.[25]On 5 March 1988, Gibb celebrated his 30th birthday in London while working on the new album. Two days later, he enteredJohn Radcliffe HospitalinOxfordcomplaining of chest pains.

Andy Gibb's headstone

At around 8:30 am on 10 March 1988, Gibb's doctor informed him more tests were needed to determine the cause of his chest pains. Shortly afterward, Gibb slumped into unconsciousness and died as a result ofmyocarditis,an inflammation of the heart muscle most likely caused by a virus. Years of cocaine use also weakened his heart. This diagnosis was supported byWilliam Shell,acardiologistwho previously treated Gibb.[26][2][27]

Upon the announcement of Gibb's death, his ex-wife, Kim Reeder, was not surprised. "I always knew that one day I'd get a call with news like this. It was only a matter of time."[26]Gibb's family said the cause of death was not anoverdose,as some media reports suggested, but natural causes after years of substance abuse.[24]

Gibb's body was flown to the United States, where he was interred atForest Lawn Memorial Parkin Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles. The headstone reads "Andy Gibb / March 5, 1958 – March 10, 1988 / An Everlasting Love", after one of his hit singles.[28]

Legacy[edit]

The Andy Gibb Memorial Foundation contributes to charities that Gibb supported, such as theAmerican Heart Association,theAmerican Cancer Society,and the Diabetes Research Institute.[29]

The song "Wish You Were Here", which was a track on the Bee Gees 1989 albumOne,was dedicated by his brothers to Andy.[30][31]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Gibb was nominated for twoGrammy Awardsat the20th Annual Grammy Awards.[32]He was also nominated for twoAmerican Music Awards.

Grammy Awards[edit]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1978 Andy Gibb Best New Artist Nominated
1978 "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male Nominated

American Music Awards[edit]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
1978 "I Just Want To Be Your Everything" Favorite Pop/Rock Song Nominated
1979 Andy Gibb Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist Nominated

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
UK
[33] 		AUS
[34] 		CAN
[35] 		NZ
[36] 		US
[37] 		US
R&B
[37]
1977 Flowing Rivers
  • First studio album
  • Release date: September 1977
  • Label:RSO Records
 — 25 9 — 19 —
1978 Shadow Dancing
  • Second studio album
  • Release date: June 1978
  • Label: RSO Records
 15 28 1 15 7 18
1980 After Dark
  • Third studio album
  • Release date: February 1980
  • Label: RSO Records
 — 65 24 — 21 67
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilations[edit]

Year Album details Peaks
US
[37]
1980 Andy Gibb's Greatest Hits
  • Release date: 1980
  • Label: RSO Records
 46
1991 Andy Gibb —
2001 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection —
2010 Mythology(Disc 4 – Andy)
  • Release date: November 2010
  • Label: Reprise/Warner Bros.
 —
2018 The Very Best of Andy Gibb —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles[edit]

Year Single Peak chart positions Certifications B-side Album
UK
[33] 		AUS
[34] 		CAN
[35] 		IRE
[41] 		NZ
[36] 		US
[37] 		US A/C
[37] 		US R&B
[37]
1975 "Words and Music" — 78 — — — — — — "Westfield Mansions" Non-album song
1977 "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" 26 1 1 — 2 1 8 19 "In the End" Flowing Rivers
"(Love Is) Thicker Than Water" — 13 2 — 25 1 18 — "Words and Music"
1978 "Shadow Dancing" 42 11 1 — 5 1 8 11 "Let It Be Me" Shadow Dancing
"An Everlasting Love" 10 57 3 4 28 5 8 — "Flowing Rivers"
"(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away" 32 61 8 21 27 9 2 — "One More Look at the Night"
"Why" — — — — — — — —
1980 "Desire" — 90 10 — 38 4 9 49 "Waiting for You" After Dark
"I Can't Help It"(withOlivia Newton-John) — 62 32 — — 12 8 — "Someone I Ain't"
"Rest Your Love on Me"(with Olivia Newton-John) — — — — — — — — "Boats Against the Current"
"Time Is Time" — — — — — 15 29 — "I Go for You" Andy Gibb's Greatest Hits
1981 "Me (Without You)" — — — — — 40 45 — "Melody"
"All I Have to Do Is Dream"(with Victoria Principal) — — 39 — — 51 25 — "Good Feeling" Non-album song
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Filmography[edit]

Television[edit]

Year Title Role
1983 Gimme a Break! Himself
1984 Something's Afoot Geoffrey
1985 Punky Brewster Tony Glenn

References[edit]

  1. ^abBrennan, Joseph."Gibb Songs: 1973".Columbia.edu.Retrieved3 January2015.
  2. ^abcdefghiLevin, Eric (23 March 1988)."Death of Golden Child".People.com.Retrieved6 January2015.
  3. ^Andy Gibb, VH1, Behind The Music, full episode,retrieved26 April2020
  4. ^Meyer, David N. (9 July 2013).The Bee Gees: The Biography.Da Capo Press. p. 2013.ISBN978-0306820250.
  5. ^"Featured Articles – Robin Gibb".TheGenealogist.co.uk.22 December 1949.Retrieved6 December2020.
  6. ^abMelinda Bilyeu; Hector Cook; Andrew Môn Hughes (January 2011).The Bee Gees.Omnibus Press.ISBN9780857128942.Retrieved6 January2015.
  7. ^Brennan, Joseph."Gibb Songs: 1974".Columbia.edu.Retrieved7 January2015.
  8. ^Brennan, Joseph."Gibb Songs: 1975".Columbia.edu.Retrieved7 January2015.
  9. ^"Andy Gibb – Words and Music".45cat.com.Retrieved6 January2015.
  10. ^[1][dead link]
  11. ^"Queen + Song Versions".Queenvault.com.Retrieved13 January2015.
  12. ^Brennan, Joseph."Gibb Songs: 1980".Columbia.edu.Retrieved13 January2015.
  13. ^Hall, Carla (23 March 1981)."Stars and Austerity at Ford's Theatre Gala".The Washington Post.
  14. ^Gritten, David (29 June 1981)."Pam Dawber Casts Off from Mork to Crew with Andy Gibb and 'the Pirates of Penzance'".People.com.Retrieved20 July2021.
  15. ^"Andy Gibb Is Asked To Leave Hit Musical".The New York Times.14 January 1983.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved20 July2021.
  16. ^abDiliberto, Gioia (31 January 1983),"Awol from Broadway Once Too Often, Andy Gibb Is Ordered to Turn in His Dreamcoat",People,vol. 19, no. 4,Time Inc.,retrieved27 January2010
  17. ^"Top Single Picks".Billboard.8 August 1981. p. 67.
  18. ^Women's Weekly,Australia, 28 October 1981[specify]
  19. ^"Remembering Andy Gibb".Vermilioncountyfirst.com.
  20. ^Souter, Ericka (10 December 2001)."Looking for Answers".People.com.Retrieved25 February2019.
  21. ^"Gibb Is a Patient at Betty Ford Center".Los Angeles Times.6 April 1985.
  22. ^Rolling Stonemagazine, May 1988. "Andy Gibb: 1958–1988".
  23. ^Brennan, Joseph."Gibb Songs: 1988".Columbia.edu.Retrieved3 January2015.
  24. ^abcNew Idea,25 November 1989. Robin Gibb: "Andy was scared of us", page 22.
  25. ^"Behind The Music: Andy Gibb", VH1, Viacom International, 1997.
  26. ^abLevin, Eric (28 March 1988)."Death of Golden Child – Untimely Deaths, Overdoses, Andy Gibb".People.com.Retrieved6 June2014.
  27. ^"Gibb's Death Tied to Natural Causes".LA Times.UPI.12 March 1988.Retrieved19 April2012.
  28. ^"Andy Gibb's Grave at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills (photo)".Seeing-stars.com.Retrieved6 October2012.
  29. ^"Andy".Users.iafrica.com.Archived fromthe originalon 11 March 2005.Retrieved6 June2014.
  30. ^Brennan, Joseph."Gibb Songs: 1988".Columbia.edu.Retrieved7 April2014.
  31. ^"One - Bee Gees | Album".AllMusic.Retrieved21 March2024.
  32. ^"Andy Gibb".Recording Academy Grammy Awards.23 November 2020.
  33. ^ab"UK Charts > Andy Gibb".Official Charts Company.Retrieved29 April2020.
  34. ^abDavid Kent (1993).Australian Charts Book 1970—1992.Australian Chart Book Pty Ltd, Turramurra, N.S.W.ISBN0-646-11917-6.
  35. ^ab"CAN Charts > Andy Gibb".RPM.17 July 2013.Retrieved29 April2020.
  36. ^ab"NZ Charts > Andy Gibb".Recording Industry Association of New Zealand.Retrieved29 April2020.
  37. ^abcdef"US Charts > Andy Gibb".Billboard.Retrieved29 April2020.
  38. ^abcde"Canadian certifications – Andy Gibb".Music Canada.Retrieved30 January2022.
  39. ^abcdefgh"American certifications – Andy Gibb".Recording Industry Association of America.Retrieved30 January2022.
  40. ^"British certifications – Andy Gibb".British Phonographic Industry.Retrieved30 January2022.TypeAndy Gibbin the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  41. ^"IRE Charts Search > Andy Gibb".Irish Recorded Music Association.Retrieved29 April2020.

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