Second Bee Gees star dies in a week in double heartbreak

Bee Gees drummer Dennis Bryon has died at the age of 76. He was the band's drummer from 1973 to 1981 and sadly passed away in Nashville on Thursday, November 14.

His death comes just days after that of fellow former Bee Gees drummer Colin 'Smiley' Petersen, who was 78. The news of Dennis' passing was shared by Blue Weaver, a close friend and band-mate from Amen Corner, with an emotional tribute on Facebook: "I am lost for words at the moment... Dennis has passed away. Kayte, Dennis's wife has just called me and asked if I would let all friends and fans know.

"This was such a shock. Dennis has been my friend, since we were in our first band together age 15. His great drumming will always Stay Alive." Artist Andy Fairweather Low also confirmed this heart-breaking news.

Mourning another loss, the Best of Bee Gees released a touching statement about Colin's death on Tuesday: "It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our dear friend Colin 'Smiley' Petersen. 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."

Petersen, the original drummer for the iconic band, played a significant role in the group's early success. He contributed to classic hits such as To Love Somebody and Words, and was part of the groundbreaking album Bee Gees' 1st, reports the Mirror.

Petersen started his career as a child actor, featuring in the classic Australian film, Smiley, which earned him his nickname 'Smiley'. In a 2022 interview with Jason Barnard on The Strange Brew Podcast, Petersen shared insights into his time with the Bee Gees.

He said: "We'd often go into the studio without a song, which gave me the chance to experiment with tempos and rhythms. Those tracks had a real spontaneity because we worked on them as a group. We never recorded our parts separately-it was all done together, with the orchestra coming in later."

Speaking about his drumming skills, he said: "I wasn't the most technically skilled drummer, but I think that sometimes less is more. When you're limited, you have to get creative-just like Chuck Berry, who made magic with just a few chords. For me, it was always about serving the song."