Early Life and Musical Roots
Barry Gibb was born on September 1, 1946, on the Isle of Man, to a musical family.
His father, Hugh Gibb, was a drummer, inspiring Barry’s early love for music.
Barry had a serious accident at age 2, suffering severe burns from boiling water.
The Gibb family moved between Isle of Man, Manchester, and later Australia, where Barry and his younger brothers Robin and Maurice formed The Rattlesnakes, their first band, which later became The Bee Gees.
The Rise of the Bee Gees
Inspired by skiffle and early rock and roll, Barry and his brothers developed their unique vocal harmonies.
After moving to Australia in 1958, they gained attention with hits like “Spicks and Specks”.
Returning to England in 1967, they achieved international fame with songs like “To Love Somebody” and evolved into disco legends with hits like “Stayin’ Alive” and “How Deep Is Your Love”.
First Marriage and Meeting Linda Gray
Barry married Moren Bates in 1966, but the marriage was short-lived.
In 1967, Barry met Linda Gray, then Miss Edinburgh, on the set of Top of the Pops while performing “Massachusetts”.
They married in 1970 and built a long-lasting marriage despite the pressures of fame.
Life with Linda Gray
Together for over 50 years, Barry credits Linda for keeping him grounded and away from the destructive paths of substance abuse, which tragically affected his brothers.
They raised five children: Stephen, Ashley, Travis, Michael, and Alexandra.
Linda avoided the spotlight, providing stability and prioritizing a normal home life.
Personal Losses and Resilience
Barry endured the deaths of:
Andy Gibb (1988, age 30, myocarditis worsened by drug use)
Maurice Gibb (2003, age 53, complications from surgery)
Robin Gibb (2012, age 62, colon and liver cancer)
He spoke of survivor’s guilt but credits Linda for keeping him emotionally steady.
Unspoken Trauma
In a rare interview, Barry revealed he was a victim of an attempted abuse at age 4 by a man later arrested. He described this as a traumatic but formative experience.
Fatherhood and Legacy
Barry supported his sons’ varied interests in music.
Stephen Gibb pursued rock and heavy metal.
Ashley Gibb became a songwriter, collaborating with Barry on projects like Guilty Pleasures (with Barbra Streisand) and Barry’s solo work In the Now (2015).
Final Reflection
The video highlights Barry Gibb’s enduring love story with Linda Gray as a source of strength and stability amid the chaos of international fame and personal tragedies. It’s a testament to loyalty, resilience, and the importance of family, with Linda playing an irreplaceable role in Barry’s life both publicly and privately.
Video