A Short Note from Doug Draper
“How do you mend a broken heart …”
Some who read Niagara At Large for heavier commentary on our greater Niagara region and beyond, may wonder why I take a few moments to remember Robin Gibb, who died of cancer this May 20 at age 62.
Yet sometimes it is nice to stop and pay tribute to people who have brought the world some joy through music, and we have been losing too many of them lately, including Levon Helm of The Band earlier this spring and only a few days ago one of the greatest singers from the 1970s Disco era Donna Summer.
Now we learn that Robin Gibb, one of the three founding members of the Bee Gees that included brothers Barry and the late Maurice whose passing in 2003 drew the curtain on the group’s trademark three-part harmonies.
I find it upsetting that in some of the obituaries now out in the mainstream media, Robin and the Bee Gees are only being cited for their 1970s Disco hits like ‘Stayin’ Alive’, ‘More Than a Woman’ and ‘Nights on Broadway’ from the ‘Saturday Night Fever’ days. But Robin and his brothers also crafted and performed some of the most popular hits of the mid- to late 1960s, including tunes like ‘Too Love Somebody’, ‘Massachusetts’, ‘Got To Get A Message To You’, ‘I Started A Joke’, ‘Words’, and the list goes on.
Few artists these days are demonstrating the talent to write and perform music that was so instantly fun to listen to than these guys did in the 60s, 70s and beyond.
Thanks for all of the joy you gave us through the music Robin.
Niagara At Large 
Sad to read this today. I never cared for the “disco” era BeeGees but loved their earlier creations like those you mentioned. ‘To Love Somebody’ was a special favourite as were ‘Words’, ‘I can’t see nobody’, ‘Heartbreaker’ and ‘Too much heaven’. Their harmonies were impeccable and many of their songs classics. Robin in particular had a unique, unmistakeable voice. When you heard it you instantly knew it was him. There is so little vocal and songwriting talent out there today by comparison.
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The Bee Gees arguably did more to revive disco than any group. Brothers who began small made it big through persistence, perseverance, and pure talent. I’m glad to have some of their old vinyl albums (“What are they?” you ask). Their music is a reminder of great times and great music.
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Another great loss. Funny how we were just talking about Donna Summer a few days ago, and now Robin is gone. Like most people, I remember the Brothers Gibb from my teen years for such songs as “Jive Talkin'”, “Too Much Heaven” and “How Deep Is Your Love”, but as I grew older I started listening to their earlier stuff, and realized that I knew these songs (like “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart”) from childhood.
Love it or hate it, disco certainly left its mark on the music scene. And Robin’s contribution was enormous. Thank you.
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