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, 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.