Disco legends the Bee Gees argued constantly in recording studios — but always made up over a cup of tea, a new book reveals.
The How Deep Is Your Love singers, Barry Gibb, 76, and his twin brothers Robin and Maurice, knew it was “time to get back to work” once the kettle had boiled.
In Bee Gees: Children of the World, studio engineer John Merchant tells how the brothers were “world champions of sniping at each other” until they had made a cuppa.
The book’s author, pop historian Bob Stanley, writes: “John reckoned the spats were part of the work process, ‘They knew what the other was capable of, and would not rest until their brother had delivered.
“‘They would challenge each other consistently. And, like an unrealistic sitcom, everyone knew the situation would be resolved as soon as the kettle went on.’”
Tragedy struck when Maurice died aged 53 in 2003 and Robin died in 2012 aged 62 from cancer.
When the Bee Gees peaked in the 70s with hits such as Saturday Night Fever, Barry never lost his taste for home.
Raised in Manchester and Australia alongside the twins and their sibling Andy, who died in 1988, he stocked his Florida pad with PG Tips, mushy peas and Yorkshire pudding mix.
The Bee Gees, who released their last studio album in 2001, have had their hits countlessly covered. Despite this, they were known as a group that “never really made sense”, says Bob.
But Barry, who still lives in Miami with his wife of 53 years, Linda Gray, is regarded as a legend.
Bob writes: “Barry can enjoy what he’s done. He’s aware neither Mo or Robin really had the opportunity to relax and reflect on what they achieved.”
* Bee Gees: Children of the World, by Bob Stanley and published by Nine Eight Books, is out now.
