Barry Gibb Celebrated at Kennedy Center Honors
Barry Gibb, renowned as one of the most successful songwriters of all time, was celebrated earlier this month at the Kennedy Center Honors along with Billy Crystal, Renée Fleming, Queen Latifah and Dionne Warwick.
"I don't know why ... why are you giving it to me?" Gibb asked of the honor with a laugh. "But I am very proud."
Gibb, a member of the legendary group The Bee Gees, has crafted an enduring legacy in the world of popular music. With a career spanning decades, he's known for his profound lyrics and captivating melodies.
But it was a near-fatal childhood accident that not only shaped his personal life but also deeply impacted his approach to music and songwriting.
At just 2 years old, Gibb endured a traumatic experience when he accidentally pulled a pan of boiling water over himself.
"I had about 20 minutes to live," Gibb said. "I spent two years in hospital and after I came out, I never said a word for another two years."
He said he doesn't remember what happened and still has scars from the incident.
The Bee Gees: A Journey of Music and Success
After years of recovery, a renowned musician emerged from a challenging ordeal with a newfound understanding of music and life. His songwriting genius, along with his brothers, has produced numerous chart-topping hits that have left a lasting impact on the music industry.
The journey of The Bee Gees began in the late 60s, captivating audiences with soulful ballads. As the 70s arrived, their music transformed the music scene with energetic dance anthems. The Bee Gees' fame reached new heights with the release of the iconic "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack, featuring unforgettable hits like "Stayin' Alive."
Notably, The Bee Gees achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the only band, other than The Beatles, to score six consecutive No. 1 songs. The musician reflected on their songwriting journey, acknowledging the ups and downs that come with creating music.
"Listen, we've written a lot of songs that were great and we've written a lot of crap … And that's how it works," shared the musician. "But what I discovered over the years is if you don't have failure, you can't have success. Because every time you fail, you learn something."
Despite their immense success, the musician admitted to experiencing tensions and misunderstandings among the brothers, particularly when it came to recognition within the group.
"The trouble with fame is it takes over everything and it makes you competitive," the musician explained. "And if you're in a group, you can't really compete against each other."
Tragically, Gibb was not on good terms with his brothers when they passed away. Maurice died in 2003 and Robin died in 2012. However, Gibb recently revealed that he has gained a deeper understanding of their feelings.
"I now understand. I understand a lot more. I understand what made them unhappy. They were right. As a group, we should have supported each other much more than we did. I received too much attention. Robin didn't receive enough. And Mo certainly didn't receive enough," said Gibb.
The Bee Gees' influence went beyond their own recordings, as they wrote hits for various other artists, including Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Barbra Streisand, and Frankie Valli. Gibb humorously shared his surprise at being asked to write the title track for the film "Grease," a song that stands out in his extensive catalog.
When asked if he was considering selling his catalog, Gibb admitted that the thought had crossed his mind.
"I'm contemplating it. I don't want my children to have that burden. And then I heard about the amount Bruce Springsteen received for his estate. I'm thinking, well, you know, you can only last so long. And if I'm deaf, then what difference does the music make? If you can't hear it, does it really matter, you know," said Gibb.
Reflecting on his legacy, Gibb expressed indifference about being remembered, focusing instead on the joy his music brings to the moment.
"I have no feelings about whether people remember me or the Bee Gees or not. No feelings whatsoever. When I'm gone, you guys can do what you like," he said.
The 2023 Kennedy Center Honors airs on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Wednesday, Dec. 27, and streams on Paramount+.
Don't miss profiles of this year's honorees all this week on "CBS Mornings."
