Is Barry Gibb still alive? Yes, Barry is confirmed to be alive and well, and the rumors circulating on social media regarding his death are completely unfounded and untrue.
Barry’s talent as a songwriter is evident in his impressive track record of having number-one hits spanning several decades.
His songwriting success extends from the 1960s to the 2000s, with notable achievements like “Islands in the Stream” reaching number one in the UK as the Comic Relief single in 2009.
His compositions for the Bee Gees have been widely covered by numerous artists, including Jose Feliciano, Celine Dion, Al Green, Wyclef Jean, Janis Joplin, Barry Manilow, Olivia Newton-John, Roy Obison, Andy Williams, and Dionne Warwick.
The Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb on New HBO Documentary and His Brothers: ‘It Became a Competition’ (Source: Billboard)
Australian musician David Campbell, speaking highly of Gibb, drew comparisons between the Beach Boys and the Bee Gees, noting that Gibb’s melodies have a timeless quality.
In addition to his work with the Bee Gees, Gibb’s solo songs have been recorded by various artists, including Lou Reizner, Samantha Sang, P.P. Arnold, Ronnie Burns, Jerry Vale, and many others.
As a record producer, the musician also contributed his talents to albums by Andy Gibb, Barbra Streisand, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers, and Diana Ross.
Barry Gibb health and illness
Alongside the challenges that come with old age, Barry has been facing a specific health issue that has affected his life for years.
Arthritis has brought crippling pain, presenting a significant battle for him on a daily basis.
Despite being a condition commonly associated with aging, it posed a severe threat to his successful career with the Bee Gees, leading him to doubt if he would ever be able to play the guitar again.
Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees: ‘I want to keep the music alive’ (Source: The Guardian)
In an exclusive discussion regarding his illness, he openly shared, “I suffer from extensive arthritis, so it affects me throughout my body. The signs are evident in my hands. This thumb is dislocated, and I have already lost one knuckle. However, I have learned to cope with it and carry on.”
As of writing and publishing this article, the singer, songwriter, and record producer, Barry Gibb, is fine and in good shape.
Barry Gibb Wikipedia bio
Gibb was born in Douglas on the Isle of Man and grew up in Manchester, where he enthusiastically participated in the skiffle craze.
In 1955, he established his first band, the Rattlesnakes, which eventually transformed into the iconic Bee Gees in 1960, following the Gibb family’s relocation to Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia.
Subsequently, they returned to England, where they attained worldwide fame, and later moved to the United States in 1975.
Gibb is widely recognized for his remarkable vocal range, with his distinctive high-pitched falsetto being a particularly notable trait.
Arise Sir Barry: Bee Gee is knighted (Source: BBC)
As a songwriter, he shares an impressive achievement with John Lennon and Paul McCartney, as they each hold the record for the most consecutive number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 with six consecutive chart-toppers.
In total, Gibb has written or co-written sixteen number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100, out of the Bee Gees’ twenty total number-one hits.
According to Guinness World Records, Gibb is ranked as the second-most successful songwriter in history, surpassed only by McCartney.