Manchester's legendary Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb dies aged 62 after long-term cancer battle

By Dean Wilkins

Legendary singer of Manchester’s Bee Gees group Robin Gibb died yesterday following a long-term cancer battle.

The 62-year-old formed Bee Gees with his brothers Barry and Maurice in the late 1950s and achieved worldwide success with Stayin’ Alive, How Deep is Your Love and Night Fever.

Gibb battled with cancer for years and suffered a downturn in health in 2010 which led him to cancel numerous live performances.

A statement from his family said: "The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery."

The Gibb brothers grew up in Manchester, after being born on the Isle of Man, and later moved to Australia.

Maurice Gibb, Robin’s twin brother, died in 2003 aged 53 following complications from a twisted intestine.

The group sold more than 200 million records worldwide since their first chart-topping hits in the 1960s.

Stars, celebrities and politicians across the globe are paying tribute to the late singer.

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said he would ‘miss him very much’.

"Robin was not only an exceptional and extraordinary musician and songwriter, he was a highly intelligent, interested and committed human being," Mr Blair added.

Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks Tweeted: "The soundtrack of my wonder years is vaporizing one artist at a time with these iconic musical losses lately."

Gibb was diagnosed with cancer of the colon after having surgery on his bowel for an unrelated condition and was later also found to have liver cancer.

He underwent chemotherapy and surgery but last month he fell into a coma after contracting pneumonia.

Only four weeks ago he regained consciousness and was believed to be making a positive recovery.

But his death was announced at 23:30 BST (22:30 GMT) on Sunday.

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