Two drummers who played for the legendary band the Bee Gees have died within four days of each other, reports say.
Colin Petersen, the band’s original drummer in the 1960s, died Monday at the age of 78, Ultimate Classic Rock reports. Petersen reportedly died after a fall.
Dennis Bryon, 76, who was the drummer when the Bee Gees became one of the biggest bands in the world during the 1970s disco era, died on Nov. 14, Billboard reports. No cause of death has been released.
Petersen had been performing with a tribute band, Best of the Bee Gees. The group announced his death in a post on social media.
“It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our dear friend Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen,” the post says. “He enriched our lives and bound our group with love, care and respect. Not sure how we can go on without his glowing smile and deep friendship. We love you, Col. Rest in peace.”
Petersen performed with original Bee Gees members Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb after they moved to the United Kingdom in the late 1960s. He performed on four albums, but then left the group in the early 1970s after getting into a disagreement with its manager, Billboard reports.
He performed for a short time with the group Humpy Bong, then started a management company with his wife, Billboard reports.
Byron joined the Bee Gees in 1973 and performed on its multiple hits from the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack, including “Night Fever,” “You Should Be Dancing,” “How Deep is Your Love,” “More Than a Woman,” and “Stayin’ Alive.”
He left the group in 1981 but later performed with a tribute band, Italian Bee Gees, Ultimate Classic Rock reports.
The Bee Gees were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Barry Gibb is the only living original member of the group.