Barry Gibb’s Candid Reflection on John Lennon
At 78, Barry Gibb, the last surviving member of the legendary Bee Gees, is speaking candidly about his past. In a recent interview, he finally opened up about his relationship with one of music’s most iconic figures, John Lennon, revealing a story of both admiration and deep emotion.
Inspired by a “Revolutionary” Sound
Gibb’s musical journey began in humble surroundings, but he and his brothers Robin and Maurice were profoundly influenced by the Beatles. He described hearing early Beatles hits like “Please Me” and “She Loves You” as “electrifying.” For Gibb, Lennon was more than just a rock star; he was a symbol of artistic freedom and social change.
Gibb admitted to feeling nervous the first time he met Lennon at a party in London in the late 1960s. However, he was struck by Lennon’s “piercing intellect and surprisingly tender, disarming humor.” Lennon even complimented the Bee Gees’ vocal blend, calling it “beautifully strange,” a comment that stayed with Gibb for decades.
A Complex and Human Connection
Gibb also reflected on the public comments Lennon made about the Bee Gees that were sometimes “cutting” and “dismissive.” However, Gibb now views those remarks through the lens of maturity, recognizing that Lennon was fighting his own internal battles and using sarcasm as a shield. “John had his demons,” Gibb said. “And I think he sometimes pushed people away before they could get too close.”
Perhaps the most poignant moment Gibb shared was his reaction to Lennon’s tragic death in 1980. “It felt like the world just stopped,” he said, describing the feeling of a part of the sky having fallen. He admitted to crying that night, grieving not only for a fellow artist but for the loss of a cultural titan.
In a final, touching tribute, Gibb said Lennon inspired him to push the Bee Gees in new directions. “After talking with John, I stopped trying to please everyone. I realized that the music had to be real. It had to mean something to me first.” Through this honest reflection, Gibb honored Lennon not as a mythic figure, but as a brilliant, flawed, and deeply human artist who left a lasting mark on his life and music.