Bee Gees star dead at 78

Bee Gees star dead at 78

Colin 'Smiley' Petersen has died aged 78.

As the original drummer of the Bee Gees, Petersen played a pivotal role during the early success of the group.

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

His drumming was a vital element on their groundbreaking albums, including Bee Gee's first, helping to establish the group's international stardom.

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 reconnected with fans through his involvement in The Best of the Bee Gees tribute show.

In a 2022 interview with Jason Barnard on The Strange Brew Podcast, he reflected on his time with the band, sharing 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'd often go into the studio without a song, which gave me the chance to experiment with tempos and rhythms.

'Those tracks 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 in later.'

The recording process wasn't always smooth, however.

'Sometimes we'd spend hours in the studio, and nothing would come together, so we'd pack up and try again another day. But when inspiration hit, we could knock out three backing tracks in one night,' he recalled.

More to come.