Robin Gibb was a great musician, not just a leader of a fad

Robin Gibb, a member of the Bee Gees, died of cancer at the age of 62 Sunday.

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AP
Robin Gibb (center) and the other members of the Bee Gees were masters of the romantic ballad.

Bee Gees member Robin Gibb lost his battle with cancer Sunday at the age of 62. Yeah I was never a disco dude as a boy, but I later appreciated The Bee Gees and what they did accomplish.

Like another recently deceased member of the disco era, Donna Summer, the Bee Gees are often remembered as the leaders of a musical “fad” and not great musicians. It's so not true. They were prolific songwriters with harmonies that rivaled The Beach Boys. Even in my “disco hater” days I considered them the masters of the romantic ballad. Only Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Garth Brooks, and Paul McCartney have outsold the Bee Gees.

Listen to the 1969 album Odessa and you’ll hear what I mean. For the whole enchilada, listen to The Ultimate Bee Gees.

The Power Popaholic staff blogs at Power Popaholic.

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