Bee Gees star dies at the age of 78

Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen has passed away at the age of 78.

Petersen, who played a pivotal role in the Bee Gees’ early success as the group’s original drummer, died on November 18.

He contributed to their timeless hits such as Massachusetts, To Love Somebody and Words.

His drumming was an essential element on their seminal albums, including Bee Gees’ 1st, and helped establish the group’s international fame.

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

Founders Robin and Maurice Gibb were the first to pay tribute to the musician.

Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen has passed away at the age of 78. Petersen – who played a pivotal role in Bee Gees’ early success – as the group’s original drummer, died on November 18.

Pictured: Top L-R: Vince Melouney, Maurice and Barry Gibb, bottom, Robin Gibb, Colin Petersen

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Colin Petersen, a legendary drummer and original member of the Bee Gees,” Robin wrote.

“Losing two of our beloved drummers in such a short time is a profound shock.”

Maurice paid tribute by sharing a photo of him backstage at a recent concert alongside Petersen.

Before his music career, Petersen made waves as a child actor, starring in the classic Australian film Smiley, a role that earned him his enduring nickname.

His transition from screen to stage cemented his reputation as a versatile talent in two demanding industries.

More recently, Petersen has reconnected with fans through his involvement in the tribute show The Best of the Bee Gees.

In a 2022 interview with Jason Barnard The Strange Brew Podcastreflected on his time with the band and shared rare insights into their creative process and his unique drumming style.

In the interview, Petersen described the collaborative energy that defined the Bee Gees’ recording sessions: “We often went into the studio without a song, which gave me the opportunity to experiment with tempos and rhythms.

‘Those songs 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 later.”

His drumming was an essential element on their seminal albums, including Bee Gee’s first, and helped establish the group’s international stardom.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Colin Petersen, a legendary drummer and original member of the Bee Gees,” Robin wrote. ‘Losing two of our beloved drummers in such a short time is a profound shock’

Maurice paid tribute by sharing a photo of him backstage at a recent concert alongside Petersen

However, the recording process did not always go smoothly.

‘Sometimes we’d sit in the studio for hours and nothing would come out, so we’d pack up and try again another day. But when inspiration struck, we were able to knock out three backing tracks in one night,” he recalls.

Petersen also spoke about his approach to drumming, which he saw as an extension of the music itself rather than a showcase of technical prowess.

‘I wasn’t the most technically skilled drummer, but I guess sometimes less is more. When you’re limited, you have to get creative, like Chuck Berry, who made magic with just a few chords. For me, it was always about serving the song.”

Before his music career, Petersen made waves as a child actor, starring in the classic Australian film Smiley (1956), a role that earned him his enduring nickname.

In a 2022 interview with Jason Barnard on The Strange Brew Podcast, he reflected on his time with the band and shared rare insights into their creative process and his unique drumming style.