Original Bee Gees drummer Dennis Bryon dies aged 76, days before bandmate-Josie Copson-Entertainment – Metro

Dennis Bryon has died aged 76 (Picture: Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images)

Bee Gees drummer Dennis Bryon has died aged 76, making him the second member of the group to pass away this week.

Colin Petersen, who also played the drums, died just four days before Bryon.

Petersen was hired as the group’s first drummer in the 60s after they were formed by brothers Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb. Byron played in the band between 1973 to 1981.

Bryon died in Nashville on November 14, with fellow musician Blue Weaver, who played with him in UK groups Amen Corner and Fair Weather, announcing his death.

‘I am lost for words at the moment… Dennis has passed away,’ he wrote on Facebook.

‘Kayte, Dennis’s wife has just called me and asked if I would let all friends and fans know. This was such a shock. 

‘Dennis has been my friend, since we were in our first band together age 15. His great drumming will always Stay Alive…’

The Bee Gees were formed by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, and Maurice Gibb (Picture: Alamy Stock Photo)

The original drummer, Peterson died on November 18. The musician’s death was announced by Bee Gees tribute act The Best of the Bee Gees. Petersen had previously performed with them on tour.

In a tribute, The Best of the Bee Gees said: ‘It is with the heaviest of hearts that the Best of the Bee Gees Show announces the passing of our legend, Colin “Smiley” Petersen on Monday 18 November, 2024.

‘Colin was a much loved “family” member of the troupe, holding our audiences spellbound with his stories of the lead role in the iconic Australian film “Smiley”, as the drummer in the original Bee Gees, and performing with the Best of the Bee Gees regularly for the last five years.’

Petersen was the first non-Gibb brother in the Bee Gees and the siblings regarded his contribution as essential to their sound. He performed on hit songs including Massachusetts and World.

However, Petersen was fired from the band in 1969 after he raised questions about their finances, according to a Columbia University paper.

Petersen died on November 18 (Picture: ANL/REX/Shutterstock)

Born in Cardiff, Byron began drumming as a teenager, quickly finding his passion for the craft and joining his first band, the Blue Jets.

He became a member of the Bee Gees after their lead guitarist Alan Kendall invited him to audition. The pair lived in the same apartment building in London.

As they transitioned to disco music, he contributed to hits including Night Fever, How Deep Is Your Love, Stayin’ Alive and You Should Be Dancing. Alongside Ringo Starr, Bryon is the only drummer to have five songs in the top ten Billboard chart simultaneously.

Talking about the influence of their music, Bryon told German magazine Event. Das Veranstaltungs- und Freizeitmagazin: ‘It was difficult to escape their powerful, memorable songs as they were in heavy rotation on the radio. It’s hard for me to gage their influence as I was at the epicenter.

‘I imagine there were plenty of writers trying to emulate their success right up until their music sparked a backlash, mostly from overexposure.’

Robin Gibb, Colin Petersen, Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb and Vince Melouney (Picture: Alert/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

Speaking about whether he kept in touch with Barry, he said that he tried to ‘talk to Barry after each loss’. Robin Gibb died in 2012, and Maurice Gibb died in 2003. ‘I was told Barry was too upset to talk with me. In short, the answer to that question is I don’t know, but I would imagine he was, and still is devastated as we all were.’

Bryon previously said he was closest to Barry during their band days. ‘I was always closest to Barry, and that’s not to say I wasn’t close with Maurice and Robin. We were all great friends. Barry was the musical leader of the group so I followed him closely. Also, my wife Jenny and Barry’s wife Linda were like sisters. They did everything together so the four of us spent a lot of time with each other.’ His first wife Jenny, died from breast cancer in 2010.

On top of working with Bee Gees, he also collaborated with Barbra Streisand, Kenny Rogers, Jimi Hendrix, and Andy Gibb. In later life, he played with Bee Gees tribute bands.

Bryon released the memoir You Should Be Dancing: My Life With the Bee Gees about his time in the band, who sold more than 200 million records.

He is survived by wife Kayte Strong.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Entertainment – MetroRead More