Colin Petersen, the Australian drummer and cornerstone of the Bee Gees' initial phase, has died at the age of 78, as revealed by the band's Facebook post: “With heavy hearts we announce the passing of our dear friend Colin 'Smiley' Petersen. He enriched our lives and bound our group with love, care and respect. I don't know how we will move forward without his radiant smile and his deep friendship. We love you Col, rest in peace”, the words of the group where the musician was currently playing, the tribute band Best of the Bee Gees.
Before embarking on the path of music, Petersen became famous for the main role in the film “Smiley”, and from there his nickname was born. The news was confirmed by his family. However, the cause of death is unknown: last Saturday night Petersen played a show, “and he was happy”, in the words of Best of the Bee Gees production manager Gary Walker.
Born in Kingaroy, Australia, Frederick Colin Petersen was a child actor starring in the 1956 film “Smiley”. In 1966 in London he joined brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb in the Bee Gees group, contributing drums to the success of the album released that same year, “Spicks And Specks”, and the following four, including 1967's “Bee Gees' 1st”, which includes hits such as “New York Mining Disaster 1941”, “To Love Somebody” and “Holiday” . The musician also appeared in 1968's “Horizontal” and “Idea” and 1969's “Odessa”, until his last album with the band, “Cucumber Castle”, released in 1970.
During his collaboration with the Gibb brothers, Petersen was also among the authors of songs such as “Massachusetts”, “To Love Somebody” and “Words”, but he finally left the group due to some disagreements with manager Robert Stigwood. After forming the band Humpy Bong with singer-songwriter Jonathan Kelly and Tim Staffell, which later disbanded, in 1969 the drummer founded a music company with his wife Joanne Newfield. management. For the past five years, Petersen has played the Best of The Bee Gees tribute show, his publicist Sue Camilleri confirmed.
Antonio Santini for SANREMO.FM
