Barry is best known for being one of the three brothers that make up the Bee Gees. Barry, along with Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb, are the men behind some of the best-known and loved pop songs of all time. Barry was also a major influence on the musical career of his brother, Andy Gibb. In addition to being an indispensable member of the Bee Gees, Gibb is also an accomplished songwriter, and his lyrics can be heard on the albums of well over two thousand artists.

Barry Gibb was born on September 1, 1946, in Douglas, Isle of Man. After spending his early childhood in Manchester, England, the Gibbs moved to Brisbane, Australia. It was here, in one of the poorest suburbs of the country, that Barry and his brothers Robin and Maurice formed the Bee Gees and began recording their distinct and catchy sound.

Barry and his brothers, under the direction of record producer Robert Stigwood, eventually went on to achieve worldwide success. Barry’s signature falsetto and his writing genius were two of the reasons for the massive success of the group. In 1978, he forever established himself as a lyrical genius when he penned four straight #1 hits, surpassing the record previously held by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. His songs "Stayin’ Alive," "Love Is Thicker Than Water," "Night Fever," and "If I Can’t Have You" all hit the top of the charts.

During his career with the Bee Gees, the brothers have sold over 178 million albums and won multiple Grammy Awards. Their long career spanned over forty years, and the brothers somehow managed to stay current, attracting entire generations of new fans.

As if it weren’t enough to be the writing genius behind one of the biggest musical groups of all time, Barry’s lyrics have also been sung by many artists. One estimate states that over 2500 artists have sung Barry’s songs on their records, and Barry also produced many successful albums during the 1970s and 1980s. Some of the notable albums which Barry wrote and produced include those released by Andy Gibb, Barry’s late brother, as well as those by Barbra Streisand, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, and Dionne Warwick. Many of these albums went on to sell millions of copies.

Barry’s contributions to the world of music have been recognized with several awards. In 2004, Barry, along with brother Robin, received honorary Doctor of Music Degrees from The University of Manchester. In 2005, Barry visited Buckingham Palace, where Prince Charles named him a Commander of the British Empire.

While writing, producing, and singing for the Bee Gees, as well as launching the careers of countless other artists, Barry still found time to be a devoted husband and father. He is not the typical rock star; Barry has been married since 1970 to his wife Linda and they have five children together. Gibbs is also a grandpa of four. Currently, Barry and his family divide their time between the former home of Johnny Cash in Nashville, and their residences in Miami Beach, and England.

YUDDY