Authentic Bee Gees drummer Colin “Smiley” Petersen has died. He was 78.
Petersen’s demise was introduced by the Better of the Bee Gees Fb web page on Monday.
“It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our dear friend Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen,” the web page wrote.
“He enriched our lives and bound our group with love, care and respect,” the message continued. “Not sure how we can go on without his glowing smile and deep friendship. We love you Col. Rest in Peace.”
A explanation for demise was not revealed.
Petersen was born on March 24, 1946 in Queensland, Australia.
He acquired his nickname from starring within the 1956 movie “Smiley.”
At age 20, Petersen moved to London and joined brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb to turn out to be a member of the Bee Gees. Vince Melouney additionally joined the group.
Petersen was the drummer for the Bee Gees from 1967 to 1969.
He carried out on six of the group’s first seven albums, together with “Spicks and Specks” (1966), “Bee Gees’ 1st” (1967), “Horizontal” (1968), “Idea” (1968), “Odessa” (1969) and “Cucumber Castle” (1970).
“Sometimes we’d spend hours in the studio, and nothing would come together, so we’d pack up and try again another day. But when inspiration hit, we could knock out three backing tracks in one night,” Petersen stated about making music with the Bee Gees on The Unusual Brew Podcast in 2022.
He added, “I wasn’t the most technically skilled drummer, but I think that sometimes less is more. When you’re limited, you have to get creative. For me, it was always about serving the song.”
Petersen left the Bee Gees after a dispute with supervisor Robert Stigwood in 1970.
Regardless of their battle, Stigwood as soon as described Petersen as “very level-headed” and “a very sophisticated person” with “a good appreciation of good food and wines,” in response to Sky Information.
After leaving the Bee Gees, Petersen shaped the band Humpy Bong with Irish singer-songwriter Jonathan Kelly and British rocker Tim Staffell. The group broke up after a brief stint collectively.
Petersen began a administration firm together with his spouse Joanne Newfield, with whom he had two sons, Jaime (born in 1971) and Ben (born in 1976).
In 1974, Petersen and his household moved again to Australia and he grew to become a painter.
Of the unique Bee Gees member, Barry, 78, is now the one one nonetheless alive.
Robin died in 2012 at age 62. Maurice died in 2003 at age 53.
