Maurice Gibb

Active - 1977 - 2020  |   Born - Dec 22, 1949 in Douglas, Isle of Man  |   Died - Jan 12, 2003   |   Genres - Music, Musical, Romance

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Biography by AllMovie

Known mostly for his work in the pop/rock supergroup the Bee Gees with his older brother, Barry, and twin brother, Robin, Maurice Gibb was the harmony vocalist and bass player. He was also married to British pop superstar Lulu for a few years in the early '70s. Generally appearing as himself, most of his film and television credits are for his work as a composer and songwriter for a wide variety of productions, including composing the score for the movie A Breed Apart. His earliest television work dates to 1965 for several appearances on Beat-Club, which was a kind of American Bandstand for the U.K. He made his film debut in the little-seen documentary Popcorn, appearing along with fellow musical stars Joe Cocker and Jimi Hendrix. In 1970, he and brother Barry Gibb wrote the short-lived British TV show Cucumber Castle, starring himself as Prince Marmaduke, King of Jelly. In perhaps his most recognizable roles and songs, he and the other bandmembers wrote the music and appeared as singers in the movies Saturday Night Fever and Staying Alive, both starring John Travolta. In 1978, the Bee Gees played a Beatles-derived band in the ill-fated movie Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, along with fellow superstars of the time Peter Frampton and Aerosmith. The late '90s saw a resurgence of public attention on the the Bee Gees, and he made numerous television, film, and guest-starring appearances. He spent his later years with his wife Yvonne and two children in Florida, where he opened a paintball shop called Commander Mo's. He died of cardiac arrest in Miami Beach, FL, on January 12, 2003.

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Factsheet

  • Inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 with his Bee Gees bandmates, older brother Barry and fraternal twin Robin.
  • Honored in 2002, along with brothers Barry and Robin, with the title of Commander of the British Empire (CBE); son Adam accepted the posthumous award on his behalf in 2004 during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.  
  • An avid paintball enthusiast, he owned a paintball shop in Miami, FL.
  • Passed away suddenly in January 2003 after suffering cardiac arrest while receiving emergency treatment for ischemic enteropathy.
  • Daughter Samantha is the frontwoman for the band Samantha Gibb and the Cartel.