Robin Gibb’s son, RJ, shared an intimate account of his father’s final moments, recalling how the family spent their time together as they said their goodbyes. Robin Gibb, the iconic Bee Gees member, passed away in 2012 at the age of 62 after a battle with cancer. RJ, who was by his father’s side in those final hours, described holding his father’s head and right hand while his mother held his left hand. The family expressed their love as they watched him pass, with RJ adding a tender kiss before bidding farewell.
RJ, who had collaborated with his father on the song Instant Love, fondly remembers Robin as not only his father but his best friend. “He was my best friend,” RJ said. “We were colleagues and shared the same sense of humor. I think about him every day, miss him dearly, and am incredibly proud of him.”
Today, RJ is a performer in his own right and plans to tour next year with the Bee Gees’ classic hits. He is unbothered by the notion of living in his father’s shadow, stating, “What better shadow to live in?” He hopes audiences will appreciate his work on its own merit, noting that he was never pressured to follow in his father’s footsteps but instead embraced the opportunities presented to him.
Shortly before Robin’s passing, the father and son duo composed a classical piece to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking. Although Robin was too ill to attend the premiere at the Royal Albert Hall, RJ played an excerpt of the piece for him, making his father smile. “We were able to tell him about how successful the night had been, and I know how proud he was when he saw the performance on the screen,” RJ recalled.
RJ, now a father himself, has three children—Max, 8; Teddy, 6; and Oliver, 3 months—with his partner, Megan Golub. He shared that his father never pressured him into a music career, instead exposing him to the music world and offering him opportunities to tour and record, which led RJ to develop his passion for the craft.
He also makes an effort to keep his father’s legacy alive with his children, playing his music regularly. “It doesn’t hurt me to hear his voice; I welcome it,” RJ said. He plays recordings of his father’s life and anecdotes, sharing them not only with himself but also with his sons and stepdaughter, who sadly never had the chance to meet their grandfather. “Dad loved children and would have been thrilled to have grandchildren,” he added.
This heartfelt tribute shows how RJ continues to honor his father’s memory and legacy while creating his own path in the music world.