Colin “Smiley” Petersen, the first official drummer of the iconic 1960s music band, Bee Gees, passed away at the age of 78 on November 18, 2024. Reports suggest that the cause of death was a fall.
The Australian-born musician, who played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of the band’s initial seven albums from 1967 to 1969, made significant contributions to their musical journey.
Petersen was born on March 24, 1946 in Kingaroy, Queensland, Australia. He earned the nickname “Smiley” after his performance in the 1956 film with the same title. His early career also included roles in films like “A Cry from the Streets” (1958) and “Strange Affection” (1957).
At the age of 20, Petersen moved to London and became part of the Bee Gees, alongside the Gibb brothers – Barry, Robin, and Maurice – and guitarist Vince Melouney. His work is evident in several of the band’s successful albums such as “Spicks and Specks” (1966), “Bee Gees’ 1st” (1967), “Horizontal” (1968), “Idea” (1968), “Odessa” (1969), and “Cucumber Castle” (1970).
During his time with the band, Petersen played on a host of popular songs, including “New York Mining Disaster 1941,” “To Love Somebody,” “Holiday,” “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You,” and “I Started a Joke.”
In 1970, Petersen left the Bee Gees due to disagreements with the band’s manager, Robert Stigwood. Despite their differences, Stigwood had described Petersen as “very level-headed” and “a very sophisticated person” with “a good appreciation of good food and wines.”
Post his departure from the Bee Gees, Petersen formed a new band Humpy Bong and later started a management company with his wife, Joanne Newfield. The couple had two sons, Jaime and Ben. In 1974, the family moved back to Australia, where Petersen started a career in painting.
In his later life, Petersen continued his association with music by performing with the Best of the Bee Gees tribute band. His death occurred just four days after the passing of Dennis Bryon, 76, the drummer for the Bee Gees during their disco era in the 1970s.
Among the original members of the Bee Gees, only Barry Gibb survives, with his brothers Maurice and Robin passing away in 2003 and 2012 respectively. Their younger brother Andy died at the age of 30 in 1988.
The passing of Petersen and Bryon marks a significant moment in the band’s history, as both drummers played pivotal roles during the group’s evolution eras.
The Bee Gees’ iconic disco hit “More Than A Woman” has found new life on TikTok, with hundreds of thousands of new videos featuring the classic track. The resurgence demonstrates the band’s enduring appeal to younger audiences in the digital age. “The enduring appeal of this timeless track demonstrates the lasting impact and influence of the Bee Gees’ musical legacy,” states the band’s official website.
A new remix of “Stayin’ Alive” by eight-time Grammy winner Serban Ghenea has been released, coinciding with a fresh greatest hits collection titled “Timeless: All Time Greatest Hits.” The compilation features the band’s most popular songs across their decades-long career. Additionally, the group’s classic albums are now available on streaming platforms, making their music more accessible to modern listeners.
The band’s groove-laden track “You Should Be Dancing” has sparked a global dance trend through a partnership with DanceOn.
Ridley Scott has delayed the Bee Gees biopic “You Should Be Dancing” due to disagreements with Paramount Pictures over production terms. The project, written by John Logan, has seen multiple director changes, including Kenneth Branagh, John Carney, and Lorene Scafaria before Scott’s involvement.
Scott is now prioritizing “The Dog Stars,” set to begin filming with 20th Century Studios in April 2025. While he suggested potential work on the Bee Gees project could resume in September, this timeline remains uncertain.
Earlier casting discussions included Rami Malek (Oscar winner for “Bohemian Rhapsody”) being considered for the role of Robin Gibb, with Bradley Cooper approached to play Barry Gibb. The biopic would be the first major film focusing on the band’s story.
Barry Gibb, the sole surviving member of the original Bee Gees, received recognition in the New Year Honours list alongside Ringo Starr and Darcey Bussell. Gibb continues to keep the band’s legacy alive through his solo work and performances.
