Introduction:
In a touching CBS special honoring the Bee Gees, pop star Demi Lovato led a musical tribute to one of the most iconic groups in music history. The special, Stayin’ Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees, featured Barry Gibb—the last surviving member of the legendary trio—who opened up from his Miami Beach home about his brothers, their shared musical journey, and life after profound loss.
Now 70, Barry embraces his age with grace and humor. “There comes a point when young women glance your way,” he jokes, “but they’re really looking past you—at someone younger.”
For a man once considered a global sex symbol, Barry handles the passage of time with humility and wit: “I haven’t quite come to terms with that yet,” he laughs.
The Bee Gees—Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb—crafted or performed over 40 Top 40 hits across four decades. Their music defined an era, and their legacy is now being celebrated in a primetime television event. “A special like this brings back so many memories,” Barry reflects. “The laughter, the joy, the songs… and hearing others perform them now is truly moving.”
One of their most defining moments came 40 years ago with the release of Saturday Night Fever. The film catapulted John Travolta to stardom, while its soundtrack—featuring Bee Gees classics—spent six months at number one and sold over 40 million copies. It became a cultural milestone.
But behind the success lay heartbreak. In 1988, Barry’s youngest brother Andy died due to drug-related causes. Maurice passed away unexpectedly in 2003, and Robin succumbed to cancer in 2012. The losses were devastating.
“There were moments when I wasn’t sure I wanted to go on,” Barry admits. “I’m living a double life—trying to be myself while still feeling bound to the Bee Gees name. That never leaves you.”
Despite moments of despair, Barry never gave up. In 2014, he embarked on his first solo tour. “It was bittersweet,” he says, “but being on stage and feeling that energy—it’s healing.”
Finding peace hasn’t been easy. “It took a decade,” he confesses. “I had to let go of past conflicts, particularly the sibling rivalry. Forgiveness was the key.”
That act of forgiveness, especially when he’s the only one left to carry the legacy, hasn’t been simple. “There are no more conversations. But in a way, I still talk to them. Sometimes on stage, I can hear their voices more clearly now than ever.”
Today, Barry Gibb focuses on being present. “That’s where I am now,” he says. “As long as it’s after 11 a.m., I take life as it comes.”
You can watch Stayin’ Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of the Bee Gees this Sunday at 8/7c on CBS—a moving celebration of timeless music and a family legacy that still resonates around the world.