Barry Gibb
Two of the most accomplished members of two of popular music’s most successful brotherhoods shared their admiration for each other on Wednesday (February 17, 2021).
It began when the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson praised the Bee Gees’ Barry Gibb on his Facebook page and other social media platforms. “I really admire Barry Gibb,” he wrote. “He is like King Kong. He and I could probably work something up together. We met at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in 1997. I presented them for their introduction. They sang ‘To Love Somebody.’ Before the show, Barry came down to meet me and he just sat in the room. I heard later that he was nervous. I was nervous too.”
Brian Wilson via his Facebook page
In that introductory speech from 1997, Wilson spoke from experience when he said, “The magic of the Bee Gees is in their songwriting, the lyrics, and the way the words go against the melodies. But the real secret is, they’re a family. They’re brothers.” (The Beach Boys were inducted in 1988.)
Gibb responded to Wilson’s compliment that same day on Wilson’s Instagram. “You are the reason I’m living,” he replied. “You prove to me that you can do whatever you want to do with your voice and all these years I have just been following you and everything you do. If I’m King Kong then you are Godzilla! 🕺Thank you for such a wonderful compliment. We must connect and collaborate as soon as we can. I love you pal ! As I said…you’re the reason. BG”
Let’s hope that happens. On Jan. 8 of this year, Gibb released a new country album, Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers Songbook, Vol. 1, which featured duets with many of the genre’s biggest names including Dolly Parton and Keith Urban.
On Feb. 18, the Beach Boys announced that they have entered into a partnership with music business legend Irving Azoff’s new venture, Iconic Artists Group, “to preserve and grow their legacy in a digital era.” As part of the deal, Iconic has purchased a controlling interest in the Beach Boys’ sound recordings, the brand, select musical compositions, and memorabilia. The members of The Beach Boys and their heirs will retain an interest in their assets.
In a statement, Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, and the Carl Wilson estate said, “The Beach Boys and our songs have been one of the great joys of our lives. For more than half a century, we’ve witnessed generations of fans from all corners of the world come together to celebrate our music, dancing and singing along to the songs that we have loved and performed for decades. As we look towards the upcoming 60th anniversary of the Beach Boys, we wanted a partner to help expand opportunities for our brand, while continuing to preserve our tradition as a band whose music transcends the test of time.”
Watch the Bee Gees induction to the Rock Hall, including Wilson’s brief speech
Related: When Barry Gibb was knighted
1 Comment so far
Jump into a conversationNice read…thanks for posting the interaction between Brian & Barry.