November 20th 2024.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of legendary Bee Gees drummer, Dennis Bryon, at the age of 76. This news comes just days after the death of fellow band member, Colin Petersen, who also played the drums. The two had been hired by brothers Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb in the 1960s, with Petersen being the group's first drummer. Bryon joined the band in 1973 and remained until 1981.
On November 14th, Bryon passed away in Nashville, as announced by fellow musician and friend, Blue Weaver. In a heartfelt Facebook post, Weaver shared the news and expressed his shock and sadness at the loss of his friend. He also mentioned Bryon's wife, Kayte, who had asked him to inform their friends and fans. Weaver and Bryon had been friends since they were 15 years old and had played together in their first band. Weaver reflected on Bryon's incredible talent as a drummer, which will undoubtedly live on through his music.
The Bee Gees, comprised of Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, and Maurice Gibb, were formed in the 1960s. Petersen's death was announced on November 18th by The Best of the Bee Gees, a tribute act that had previously toured with him. In a touching tribute, they shared their sadness at losing their "legend" and spoke of his role in the band as well as his performances with them over the past five years.
Petersen was the first non-Gibb brother to join the Bee Gees, and the three siblings considered his contribution essential to their sound. He played on hit songs such as "Massachusetts" and "World." However, in 1969 he was fired from the band after questioning their finances, according to a paper from Columbia University.
Bryon, who was born in Cardiff, discovered his love for drumming as a teenager and quickly became a member of his first band, the Blue Jets. He joined the Bee Gees after being invited to audition by lead guitarist, Alan Kendall, who lived in the same apartment building in London. Together, they helped the band transition to disco music and contributed to hit songs like "Night Fever," "How Deep Is Your Love," "Stayin' Alive," and "You Should Be Dancing." Bryon and Ringo Starr are the only drummers to have five songs in the top ten Billboard chart simultaneously.
Reflecting on the Bee Gees' impact on music, Bryon once told a German magazine, "It was difficult to escape their powerful, memorable songs as they were in heavy rotation on the radio." He also commented on their influence, saying, "It's hard for me to gauge as I was at the epicenter. I imagine there were plenty of writers trying to emulate their success right up until their music sparked a backlash, mostly from overexposure."
When asked if he kept in touch with Barry Gibb, Bryon shared that he tried to "talk to Barry after each loss." With the passing of Robin Gibb in 2012 and Maurice Gibb in 2003, he was told that Barry was too upset to speak with him. Bryon considered himself closest to Barry during their time in the band, although he had a great relationship with all the brothers. He also mentioned how his first wife, Jenny, who passed away from breast cancer in 2010, was like sisters with Barry's wife, Linda. The four of them spent a lot of time together.
Besides working with the Bee Gees, Bryon also collaborated with other musicians such as Barbra Streisand, Kenny Rogers, Jimi Hendrix, and Andy Gibb. In later years, he played with Bee Gees tribute bands. He also released a memoir, "You Should Be Dancing: My Life With the Bee Gees," in which he shared his experiences and memories of being in the band that sold over 200 million records.
Bryon leaves behind his wife, Kayte Strong. Our deepest condolences go out to her and all of Bryon's loved ones. If you have a celebrity story or any memories of Bryon's music, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with our entertainment team via email, phone, or by visiting our Submit Stuff page. Our thoughts are with the Bee Gees family and fans during this difficult time. May Bryon's incredible talent and music continue to Stay Alive in our hearts.
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