Current:Home > StocksBarry Gibb talks about the legacy of The Bee Gees and a childhood accident that changed his life-LoTradeCoin
Barry Gibb talks about the legacy of The Bee Gees and a childhood accident that changed his life
View Date:2024-12-23 21:17:48
Barry Gibb, renowned as one of the most successful songwriters of all time, was celebrated earlier this month at the Kennedy Center Honors along with Billy Crystal, Renée Fleming, Queen Latifah and Dionne Warwick.
"I don't know why ... why are you giving it to me?" Gibb asked of the honor with a laugh. "But I am very proud."
Gibb, a member of the legendary group The Bee Gees, has crafted an enduring legacy in the world of popular music. With a career spanning decades, he's known for his profound lyrics and captivating melodies.
But it was a near-fatal childhood accident that not only shaped his personal life but also deeply impacted his approach to music and songwriting.
At just 2 years old, Gibb endured a traumatic experience when he accidentally pulled a pan of boiling water over himself.
"I had about 20 minutes to live," Gibb said. "I spent two years in hospital and after I came out, I never said a word for another two years."
He said he doesn't remember what happened and still has scars from the incident.
After years of recovery, Gibb said he emerged from this ordeal with an "instinct about music, about life, about everything."
Gibb's songwriting genius has produced 16 No. 1 songs, many alongside his brothers Robin and Maurice. Their journey began with soulful ballads in the late 60s, later transforming the 70s music scene with their dance anthems. The Bee Gees' fame soared with the iconic "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack, solidifying their place in music history with hits like "Stayin' Alive."
And The Bee Gees are the only band other than The Beatles to score six straight No. 1 songs.
"Listen, we've written a lot of songs that were great and we've written a lot of crap … And that's how it works," said Gibb. "But what I discovered over the years is if you don't have failure, you can't have success. Because every time you fail, you learn something."
Despite the group's immense success, Gibb admitted to experiencing tensions and misunderstandings among the brothers, especially regarding recognition within the group.
"The trouble with fame is it takes over everything and it makes you competitive," said Gibb. "And if you're in a group you can't really compete against each other."
Sadly, Gibb wasn't on good terms with his brothers when they passed away. Maurice died in 2003 and Robin died in 2012. But Gibb said he gained a deeper understanding of their feelings a couple of years ago.
"I understand now. I understand a lot more. I understand what made them unhappy. They were right. Because it was a group and we should have all been supporting each other much more than we did. I got too much attention. Robin didn't get enough. And Mo certainly didn't get enough," said Gibb.
The Bee Gees' influence extended beyond their own recordings, as they wrote hits for several other artists, including Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Barbra Streisand and Frankie Valli. Gibb humorously recounted his surprise at being asked to write the title track for the film "Grease," a song that stands out in his vast catalog.
When asked if he was considering selling his catalog, Gibb said it had crossed his mind.
"I'm thinking about it. Because I don't want my kids to have that burden. And then I heard what Bruce Springsteen got for his estate. I'm thinking, well, you know, you can only, you can only last so long, you know. And if I'm deaf, then what difference does the music make? If you can't hear it, what does it matter, you know," said Gibb,
Reflecting on his legacy, Gibb expressed indifference about being remembered, focusing instead on the joy his music brings to the moment.
"I have no feelings about whether people remember me or the Bee Gees or not. No feelings whatsoever. When I'm gone, you guys can do what you like," he said.
The 2023 Kennedy Center Honors airs on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Wednesday, Dec. 27, and streams on Paramount+.
Don't miss profiles of this year's honorees all this week on "CBS Mornings."
Anthony MasonAnthony Mason is senior culture and senior national correspondent for CBS News. He has been a frequent contributor to "CBS Sunday Morning," and is the former co-host for "CBS This Morning: Saturday" and "CBS This Morning."
Twitter InstagramveryGood! (77597)
Related
- Here's Your First Look at The White Lotus Season 3 With Blackpink’s Lisa and More Stars
- Sister of Maine mass shooting victim calls lawmakers’ 11th-hour bid for red flag law ‘nefarious’
- Urban Outfitters' Total Eclipse of the Sale Delivers Celestial Savings Up to 40% on So Many Cute Styles
- Modern Family Alum Ariel Winter Responds to Claim Boyfriend Luke Benward Is Controlling
- 2 striking teacher unions in Massachusetts face growing fines for refusing to return to classroom
- When is the next total solar eclipse in the U.S. after today? See the paths for the 2044 and 2045 events
- On National Beer Day 2024, the US is drinking more Modelo than Bud Light as NA brews rise
- Horoscopes Today, April 7, 2024
- Federal judge blocks Louisiana law that requires classrooms to display Ten Commandments
- Dan Hurley will receive at least $1.8 million in bonuses with UConn's national title
Ranking
- FBI raids New York City apartment of Polymarket CEO Shayne Coplan, reports say
- Explosive device thrown onto porch of Satanic Temple in Massachusetts, no injuries reported
- Why Zendaya Couldn't Be Prouder of Boyfriend Tom Holland
- Norfolk Southern, victims reach $600M settlement for 2023 East Palestine train derailment
- Inside Dream Kardashian's Sporty 8th Birthday Party
- Alec Baldwin had no control of his own emotions on Rust set where cinematographer was fatally shot, prosecutor says
- Across the US, Awe Unites During the Darkness of a Total Solar Eclipse
- Many cancer drugs remain unproven years after FDA's accelerated approval, study finds
Recommendation
-
These Michael Kors’ Designer Handbags Are All Under $150 With an Extra 22% off for Singles’ Day
-
Beyoncé becomes first Black woman to hit No. 1 on Billboard country albums chart
-
Librarians fear new penalties, even prison, as activists challenge books
-
Can’t get enough of the total solar eclipse or got clouded out? Here are the next ones to watch for
-
Opinion: NFL began season with no Black offensive coordinators, first time since the 1980s
-
Rebel Wilson Reveals Whether She’d Work With Sacha Baron Cohen Again After Memoir Bombshell
-
Effort to enshrine right to abortion in Maine Constitution comes up short in first votes
-
Transgender Catholics say new Vatican document shows no understanding of their lives