Robin Gibb Suffering From Liver Cancer – Forgotten Bee Gees Classic ‘Walking Back To Waterloo’

You know you really are a passionate fan when yesterday’s awful news of 61 year old Robin Gibb’s liver cancer manifests itself in a dream where he visits the family home. As is usually the case with dreams, things make perfect sense and absolutely none in almost equal measure. In typical unnecessary dream randomness, Robin visited the Roxborogh household in a fictitious neighbourhood, in a small home unlike any I’ve lived in, inhabited by my entire family despite parents in their 60s and adult children in their 30s who moved out at least a decade ago.

Closer to reality, I was slightly put out how much Robin was talking to the folks and not myself, particularly when the dream-version of one of my parents asked for the names of Robin’s brothers: “So who were your brothers again? There was Barry, Maurice….” Sensible questions people! Robin then briefly checked out an alternate version of what my actual Gibb memorabilia collection is before thanking us for all the support over the years, walking to his car and bidding farewell.

Maybe revealing dreams of Bee Gees is something best kept to one-self, but anyone who knows me won’t be in the least bit surprised, nor will they see it as proof of mental instability (hopefully). More-so, it’s merely indicative of how much my love of this band of brothers has defined my career.

In many ways, I can thank the Gibbs for getting me my start in broadcasting when I won a nationwide Bee Gees radio mastermind competition with the prize being front-row tickets and a backstage pass to see the band back in 1999 in Auckland. I was 17 and as a result, would soon find work at the same radio station. In the nearly 13 years since, I’ve interviewed Barry four times including a meeting in London in 2009, though never saw Maurice or Robin again. I’m still holding out hope on the latter.

From the Trafalgar LP inner-sleeve, 1971.

My unashamed love of a band who’ve never been especially cool is also representative of how I try to operate; to judge on merit rather than reputation and to try and dig beneath the surface, whether in terms of people or situations. Do a little digging with the Bee Gees and you find one of the largest catalogues in history from one of music’s most profilic and successful songwriting teams. Dig past the culture-defining gems of the disco era and you discover the soul, funk, R&B, country, folk, balladry, psychedelia, orchestral-pop, swamp-rock and above all, the majestic pop of the brothers Gibb.

200 million album sales and 21 different songs as songwriters to make UK or US number one tell the commercial facts of the Bee Gees staggering success, but that is only one side. As Bee Gees fans worldwide react to the news of Robin’s worsening health, I found myself drawn to the songs of his which shifted this band’s position in my mind from being just catchy and fun to meaningful and ultimately for me, the act for which everybody else comes second. Off the top of my head, songs like:

Don’t Fall In Love With Me (Living Eyes – 1981)
Black Diamond (Odessa – 1969)
Lamplight (Odessa – 1969)
Walking Back To Waterloo (Trafalgar – 1971)
Please Don’t Turn Out The Lights (To Whom It May Concern – 1972)
Elisa (A Kick In The Head – 1973)
Rings Around The Moon (Still Waters – 1997)
The Longest Night (ESP – 1987)
I Can’t See Nobody (First – 1967)
For Whom The Bell Tolls (Size Isn’t Everything – 1993)

And literally, dozens and dozens of others. The story of the Gibb family is one of astounding success and tragedy. The Bee Gees elderly mum, Barbara, has flown alongside Barry and his wife Linda from the States to be with Robin in England. Barbara has already outlived her husband and two of her sons and the pain this family have endured to bring this music to the world is enormous. Thoughts and prayers with Robin and the entire Gibb family.

Just to prove Abba weren’t the only powerhouse band of the era to have a song with “Waterloo” in the title, above is the YouTube clip of the stunning Walking Back To Waterloo from 1971’s Trafalgar album. Like so many great Bee Gees songs, the sublime melody is matched with lyrics that combine the historic and off-beat with the personal and melancholy, not to mention the trademark three-part harmonies either side of the Robin and Barry-traded lead vocal verses.

UPDATE JUNE 2012: As I’m sure you know, Robin Gibb recently lost his battle with cancer. Click here to read my tribute, focusing on the fight for the Bee Gees’ legacy and the challenges these remarkable songwriters overcame.

One Comment Add yours

  1. Christopher Griffin says:

    Just discovered your blog. Thanks for all the fascinating information. I was 15 when I first heard Stayin’Alive and have loved the music ever since. Boy, these gentlemen had to work so hard to keep proving their critics wrong! Personal favourite? Nights On Broadway . Keep up the good work!

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