2 Former Bee Gees Members Passed Away Days Apart

It’s a sad week for Bee Gees fans. Two drummers who played huge roles in the band’s history have passed away just days apart. Dennis Bryon, the drummer behind their disco sound, died on November 14 at 76 years old. Four days later, Colin Petersen, the band’s original drummer from their early days, died at 78 after reportedly suffering a fall.

Barry Gibb is now the last surviving member of the original Bee Gees lineup. His brothers Robin and Maurice passed away in 2012 and 2003, respectively, but their music continues to live on.

Colin Petersen and the Bee Gees’ Early Sound

Colin Petersen joined the Bee Gees in 1967, helping create their signature sound during the ballad-heavy early years. He played on timeless classics like “Massachusetts,” “To Love Somebody,” and “New York Mining Disaster 1941.” Despite his modest take on his talent, Petersen’s style perfectly complemented the group. “I wasn’t the most technically skilled drummer,” he once admitted. “But sometimes less is more. When you’re limited, you have to get creative—just like Chuck Berry, who made magic with just a few chords.”

Before drumming for the Bee Gees, Petersen was actually a child star. He appeared in the 1956 movie Smiley and carried the nickname “Smiley” ever since. Years later, he joined The Best of the Bee Gees, a tribute band that brought him back to the stage and reconnected him with fans. Speaking about the tribute act, he said:

“By the third song, I thought, ‘Bloody hell, this band is really great.’ The voices were so close, and they looked like they were truly enjoying themselves. That matters.”

The tribute band released a heartfelt statement after his passing:

“He enriched our lives and bound our group with love, care, and respect. Not sure how we can go on without his glowing smile and deep friendship.”

Dennis Bryon: The Disco Groove Master

Dennis Bryon joined the Bee Gees in 1973, just as their music was shifting into the funky, danceable sound that defined the disco era. His drumming powered massive hits like “Stayin’ Alive,” “You Should Be Dancing,” and “Jive Talkin’.” These tracks became the heartbeat of the band’s wildly successful Saturday Night Fever era.

In his memoir, You Should Be Dancing: My Life with the Bee Gees, Bryon recalled a moment that made him realize just how big the Bee Gees had become.

“I was driving my new BMW 320i in 1978, flipping through radio stations in Miami, and all of them were playing Bee Gees songs. That’s when I knew this record was big. Very, very big.”

Bryon had a funny start with the group. He remembered his first meeting with the Gibb brothers, when Robin joked, “Yeah, he may play like a girl.” Without missing a beat, Bryon fired back, “Well, at least I don’t sing like one.” What followed was a long, awkward silence, until Maurice broke it by saying, “Come to think of it, you do sing like a girl.” Everyone burst into laughter, and that moment sealed Bryon’s place in the band.

After leaving the Bee Gees in the early ’80s, Bryon worked with a tribute band called the Italian Bee Gees. Reflecting on his style, he once shared in Modern Drummer.

“And my approach to recording is equally simple: Get out of the way, and let the song sing.”