display

Berlin (dpa) - The Beatles are their role models, at times in the 1960s they even almost approached the popularity of the “Fab Four”.

The worldwide triumph of the Bee Gees - an Australian-British band led by Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb - will not begin until the next decade, with soft soul and disco funk.

Both phases of success of the three singers, to which the youngest brother Andy joined for a time, were double-edged, as a new documentary shows: the greater the fame, the more fragile the family ties.

The documentary "The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend A Broken Heart", which will be available on several streaming portals from December 21, begins with an appearance from 1979 to frenetic cheers - a kind of "Bee Gees mania" - and an angry one Ask the musician for some privacy.

At the end of the 1970s, the trio was at the height of a breathtaking career.

display

Bee Gees songs like “Night Fever” or “How Deep Is Your Love” from the sensationally successful film soundtrack “Saturday Night Fever” dominate radio stations and charts.

The British-born Australians have a total of 20 number one hits and five Grammys in their careers.

The almost two-hour documentary by Frank Marshall devotes many insights and interviews to the 15 triumphant years.

With the clumsy counter-movement “Disco sucks”, hatred of the Bee Gees developed in 1979 as white, heterosexual protagonists of a style of music that began in black, gay culture.

Racism and homophobia were involved, says an African-American contemporary witness.

The insecure trio breaks away from the disco movement.

After that, the band loses its momentum, solo careers are changeable.

Andy Gibb dies in 1988, Maurice in 2003, Robin in 2012.

display

The melancholy, shadowy, often sad look of the only survivor, Barry Gibb, and his memories form the emotional core of a touching film.

Sixties pop catchy tunes like “To Love Somebody” or “Massachusetts” can be heard briefly, followed by the dance floor grenades with Barry's falsetto voice, again and again unbelievably great chants (and equally incredible head of hair).

The Bee Gees, fans and critics agree, were masters of virtuoso harmony vocals - and in bringing together fashionable musical styles.

“We never had one category, just different phases,” says the now 74-year-old Barry Gibb, who will be releasing a solo album with international country stars as guests in early January 2021.

"I hope and pray that this music will last."

One can assume that.

Even younger music stars (Noel Gallagher from Oasis, Chris Martin from Coldplay, Justin Timberlake, Nick Jonas, Mark Ronson) rave about the class and importance of the «Brothers Gibb» (abbreviated: Bee Gees) in the film.

display

At the end of the documentary, which also contains archive recordings of recording sessions, concert and television appearances as well as home videos, Barry Gibb sings the super hit “Stayin 'Alive” with thinning white hair but still a powerful voice.

Tens of thousands of fans dance euphorically to it.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 201217-99-726534 / 4

Trail

Bee Gees website