Stephen Gibb, the son of legendary Bee Gees star Barry Gibb, has revealed a harrowing story of drug addiction that plunged him into the darkest depths of homelessness and desperation. At the staggering age of 46, Stephen opened his heart about the brutal spiral he suffered, describing a life once ruled by cocaine abuse born from childhood alcohol addiction that nearly destroyed him.
In an emotional recount on his podcast Addiction Talks, Stephen recalled, “The first time I drank I was probably 14 and I downed an entire bottle of Jack Daniels [and] blacked out.” This initial encounter set the stage for a tragic journey into substance misuse, fuelled by a rock and roll lifestyle he embraced, following in the footsteps of his father. Known for his involvement with metal rock bands like the Underbellys and collaborations with Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx, Stephen’s story takes a brutal turn as drug abuse took command of his life.
Stephen’s lowest moments were chillingly revealed as he described scavenging for food in dumpsters outside recording studios after losing his band gig. “I was homeless, they throw away so much good food in studios and I remember eating out of the dumpster at the record plant praying nobody would see me. I remember thinking ‘This sucks’,” he shared painfully. Facing nights living in his van or dependent on strangers’ charity to crash on couches, Stephen experienced firsthand the devastating truth behind the saying ‘from Park Avenue to park bench.’
Determined to escape a future that seemed destined for either death, prison, or a mental institution, Stephen turned his life around. Today, he tours with his famous father, proudly playing the guitar and sharing the stage – a testament to the possibility of recovery even in the bleakest conditions.
This family carries a legacy of brilliant music, but also tragic battles with addiction. Barry Gibb’s brothers, Maurice and Robin, also faced their own struggles. Maurice succumbed to cardiac arrest in 2003 after years battling alcohol, while Andy Gibb, their younger brother and fellow musician, died at just 30 from complications linked to cocaine abuse. Robin’s death in 2012 after a painful fight with cancer left Barry as the last surviving Bee Gee, who has been honored with a knighthood in 2018 for his immense contributions to music.
Stephen now lives in Miami, happily married with two children, close to his father who continues the Bee Gees legacy. His powerful journey from despair to hope is a poignant reminder of the raw impact of addiction and the courage required to reclaim one’s life, even when caught in the darkest storms. “This is my story,” Stephen said, “and if sharing it can help even one person, then it’s worth it.”