Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen, Bee Gees Drummer, Lifeless at Age 78

Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen, finest referred to as the unique dummer of Bee Gees, has died. He was 78.

The Better of the Bee Gees Fb web page introduced his demise on Monday, Nov. 18. The web page didn’t disclose when Petersen died or his explanation for demise.

“It’s with a heavy coronary heart we announce the passing of our expensive pal Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen,” started the heartfelt message. 

“He enriched our lives and certain our group with love, care and respect. Unsure how we are able to go on with out his glowing smile and deep friendship. We love you Col. Relaxation in Peace.”

As an authentic member of the musical group, he contributed to 4 albums and to a number of hit songs, together with “Massachusetts,” “To Love Any person” and “Phrases.”

Petersen joined the group when the Gibb brothers moved to London in 1966. Earlier than Petersen’s demise, Robin died in 2012 on the age of 62, and Maurice died in 2003 on the age of 53. Barry, 78, is now the one dwelling member of the group. Dennis Bryon, former Bee Gee drummer who performed for the band from 1974-1980, died on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.

Born Frederick Colin Petersen in Queensland, Australia. He attended the identical college as Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, though they weren’t enrolled on the similar time. Petersen left college to star within the traditional Australian movie 1956 movie Smiley — which is how he earned his nickname. Years later the brothers linked with him earlier than all of them left Sydney for London.

In 1966, he moved to England with hopes of constant a profession on the display. However, issues weren’t in his favor for that lengthy, and he linked with the brothers, once they proposed he turn out to be the fourth Bee Gee. Vince Melouney additionally joined the group across the similar time. Then from 1967 to 1969, Petersen carried out on a number of albums.

Petersen’s drumming helped set up the group as a global sensation. “I wasn’t probably the most technically expert drummer, however I feel that typically much less is extra. Whenever you’re restricted, it’s a must to get inventive—similar to Chuck Berry, who made magic with just some chords. For me, it was all the time about serving the music,” he mentioned in a The Unusual Brew Podcast 2022 interview with Jason Barnard, per The Mirror.

“We would usually go into the studio and not using a music, which gave me the possibility to experiment with tempos and rhythms,” he added of the group’s signature sound. “These tracks had an actual spontaneity as a result of we labored on them as a gaggle. We by no means recorded our elements individually — it was all finished collectively, with the orchestra coming in later.”

He and the group parted methods in 1969. That 12 months, he went to work with one other former Bee Gees member, Jonathan Kelly, and shaped Humpy Bong band. The group stayed collectively till 1970. After they disbanded, Petersen managed Kelly as a solo artist through the early Nineteen Seventies. 

Petersen married Joanne Newfield in 1968. They welcomed their first son, Jamie, in 1971, and their second son in 1976. Petersen and his household returned to Sydney in 1974.

Extra just lately, he labored with The Better of the Bee Gees tribute present. In 2022, he advised The Fassifern Guardian that, at first, he was “just a little bit reluctant” to rejoin the group. “I went to see the present. It will have been in regards to the third music in, and I assumed to myself, bloody hell, this band is admittedly nice, and the voices have been so shut, and it was nicely offered they usually all appear actually snug on stage and having fun with it, which is admittedly necessary.

He’s survived by his ex-wife Joanne and their sons Jaime and Ben.