Barry Gibb: The Last of the Bee Gees

Claudine Zap
·Claudine Zap

We're sure we're not the only ones with Bee Gees hits in our heads since the sad news of Robin Gibb's passing. With the untimely death of brother Maurice back in 2003, Barry is the last Gibb brother standing. Searches on "Barry Gibb", "Robin Gibb", and "Bee Gees songs" immediately hit a high note in Yahoo! Search.

The three British-born brothers, twins Robin and Maurice along with eldest -- and now last surviving -- sibling Barry, made up the Bee Gees.

Barry is sure to keep the music alive: His trademark high-pitched voice in the hit song "Stayin' Alive" from the movie "Saturday Night Fever" stayed alive long after the movie came and went; the soundtrack became a 15-time platinum seller. And his songwriting skills put him in the Guinness Book of World Records as the second most successful songwriter, behind Paul McCartney.

Barry has also kept up with the times. He mentored Jordin Sparks on Season 6 of "American Idol," and enjoyed a "Glee" tribute for its "Saturday Night Glee-ver" episode, which covered six of the band's hit songs. The 65-year-old's website advertised his latest solo performance for Hard Rock Live.

After Maurice died, the surviving brothers retired the Bee Gees name, but continued to pair up to preserve their musical legacy. Robin remained in the U.K., while Barry continues to spend much of his time in Florida with his wife, Linda, and their five children.

Barry and Robin were spoofed in an ongoing segment on "Saturday Night Live." Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Fallon memorably donned the long locks and beard of the Gibbs for an episode of "The Barry Gibb Show," which mocked the stylings -- and the style -- of the brothers.

It seems Barry and Robin had plans to produce more together. Robin had just collaborated with son Robin-John on a classical work, "The Requiem for Titanic." The singer told Music Week without being specific, "When you have got one of the most successful catalogues in the world today, with Barry, you get excited, but get to cherry pick!"

The big bro to Robin apparently hoped song would revive him in the end. When Robin slipped into a coma, Barry was at his side, singing. Said wife Dwina Gibb, "His brother Barry, his wife Linda and son Stephen came over from America. Barry was singing to him. Thousands of people are saying prayers every day."

Robin Gibb died on Sunday.