# Robin Gibb: The Haunting Voice and Hidden Struggles

Robin Gibb, known for his haunting falsetto, was a key voice behind some of the 20th century’s most iconic songs as part of the Bee Gees. Born on December 22, 1949, in Douglas, Isle of Man, just 35 minutes before his twin brother Maurice, Robin grew up in a musical family.

His father, Hugh, was a drummer, and his mother, Barbara, a former singer. However, his early years were marked by restlessness and a sense of not belonging, with frequent relocations unsettling the family.

In 1955, the Gibbs moved to Manchester, England, seeking stability that never came. Robin and his siblings, including older brother Barry, immersed themselves in music, forming their first band, the Rattlesnakes, in 1956.

Robin’s behavior, however, turned erratic—he skipped school and engaged in petty arson, prompting a local policeman to suggest the family leave the country. This led to their migration to Australia in 1958. There, the brothers performed on radio shows and signed with Leedon Records in 1963.

Robin’s lead vocals on “Wine and Women” in 1965 became their first Australian hit, though the pressure of constant rehearsals and tours took a toll, leading to drug use as a coping mechanism.

Returning to England in 1967, the Bee Gees, under manager Robert Stigwood, achieved international fame with hits like “New York Mining Disaster 1941.” Yet, internal tensions grew as Barry was pushed forward, sidelining Robin. At 17, Robin married Molly Hullis, but the band’s relentless schedule strained their relationship.

Creative conflicts peaked during the 1969 album *Odessa*, leading Robin to leave the Bee Gees, feeling invisible. His solo album *Robin’s Reign* and the hit “Saved by the Bell” proved his talent, but loneliness persisted, and his marriage crumbled.

Reuniting with his brothers in 1970, the Bee Gees reinvented themselves in the mid-1970s with disco hits from *Saturday Night Fever* (1977), though Robin’s voice was often overshadowed by Barry’s falsetto.

Personal struggles continued—his divorce from Molly left him estranged from his children, and the 1980s disco backlash hit hard. A new relationship with Dwina Murphy offered solace, but tragedies struck with the deaths of his brother Andy in 1988 and Maurice in 2003, leaving Robin devastated.

In his later years, Robin focused on solo and classical projects, including *Titanic Requiem* in 2012. Diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2011, he remained hopeful, but kidney failure, a complication from treatment, claimed his life on May 20, 2012, at 62.

His legacy, marked by a posthumous album in 2014, reflects a man who battled invisibility yet left an indelible mark with his heart-wrenching voice. What’s your favorite Bee Gees or Robin Gibb song? Share in the comments.