November 18th 2024.
It's with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Colin "Smiley" Petersen, the first non-Gibb brother to join the iconic band, Bee Gees. At the age of 78, Petersen, who was an original member of the group, died and left behind a legacy that will forever be remembered.
Petersen was hired as the Bee Gees' first drummer in the 1960s, right after the band was formed by the talented Gibb brothers - Barry, Maurice, and Robin. He was a part of six of the band's albums, including their popular ones like Spicks and Specks and Horizontal. However, despite his contributions on Cucumber Castle, he was not credited for it. After a few years of being with the band, Petersen decided to leave in 1969.
The sad news of the musician's death was announced by the Bee Gees tribute act, The Best of the Bee Gees, whom Petersen had previously performed with on tour. In a heartfelt tribute, they said, "It is with the heaviest of hearts that the Best of the Bee Gees Show announces the passing of our legend, Colin "Smiley" Petersen on Monday, November 18, 2024." They went on to share how much of a beloved member Petersen was, how he captivated audiences with his stories about his role in the iconic Australian film "Smiley", and his time as the Bee Gees' drummer. The tribute act also revealed that Petersen had been performing with them for the last five years.
Petersen's contributions to the Bee Gees' sound and touring style were invaluable. He was a part of five of their albums, and although he was not credited for his work on Cucumber Castle, his presence and talent were still felt. His manager, Greg Shaw, shared his memories of working with Petersen for 34 years and how thrilled he was when the musician agreed to join The Best of the Bee Gees. Shaw also mentioned Petersen's endearing nature and how his storytelling added a unique perspective to their shows. He was not only loved on stage but off stage as well, and it was an honor for Shaw to call him a friend.
Tributes also poured in from Petersen's fans on social media. @GingerSnaps wrote, "Condolences to Colin Petersen's family, friends, and all those who cared for him. His fellow musicians, fans, and the Gibb family. @GibbBarry #BeeGees." Another fan, @jammydodger10, echoed the sentiment, saying, "Colin Petersen RIP. An integral part of the early Bee Gees sound. Such sad news @BeeGee @GibbBarry."
Before becoming a musician, Petersen started his career as a child actor and appeared in the film Smiley when he was just nine years old, alongside Sir Ralph Richardson. He also starred in other productions like The Scamp, A Cry from the Streets, and Barney. His talent and passion for music led him to join the Bee Gees as their drummer, and his contributions to their sound were highly regarded by the Gibb brothers. He played on hit songs like Massachusetts and World, and his presence was essential to the band's success.
Unfortunately, Petersen's time with the Bee Gees came to an end in 1969 when he was fired from the band. Reports claim that he raised concerns about their finances, particularly the conflict of interest with their manager, Robert Stigwood, also owning their recordings and publishing. Despite this unfortunate turn of events, Petersen continued to contribute to several Bee Gees hits, solidifying his impact on the band's sound.
The Bee Gees are known for their legendary success, selling over 200 million records worldwide with hit songs like Night Fever and Stayin' Alive. After leaving the band, Petersen joined forces with Jonathan Kelly and formed the group Humpy Bong in 1970. They recorded a debut single and even performed on BBC's Top of the Pop, but the duo disbanded after less than a year.
Petersen is survived by his wife, Joanna, and their sons, Jaime and Ben. Metro has reached out to the Bee Gees' representative for comment on Petersen's passing. Colin "Smiley" Petersen may be gone, but his legacy and contributions to the Bee Gees' sound will always be remembered and cherished by fans around the world. Rest in peace, Smiley.
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