Introduction:
On May 20, 2012, the world said goodbye to Robin Gibb—an artist whose voice, songwriting, and spirit shaped generations of music lovers. At the age of 62, Robin passed away after a difficult battle with cancer, pneumonia, and complications from a severe bowel condition. His life ended too soon, yet his legacy remains vast, powerful, and unforgettable.
Robin was one-third of the legendary Bee Gees, alongside his older brother Barry and his twin Maurice. Together, they crafted some of the most enduring hits in pop music history. Robin’s distinct, trembling vocals became the emotional core of many of the group’s most memorable tracks, including “Massachusetts,” “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” and the hauntingly beautiful “I Started a Joke.” The latter became synonymous with Robin himself—its bittersweet tone reflecting both the depth and vulnerability that defined his artistry.
In the Bee Gees’ earliest years, Robin often stood at the forefront. However, growing creative tensions between him and Barry led to a temporary separation in the late 1960s. Although Robin would later rejoin the group, and the brothers would go on to dominate the 1970s disco era, the rift between the two—left unhealed—remained one of the most painful parts of their story. It was a wound that, tragically, time never allowed them to mend.
Robin’s funeral took place at St. Mary’s Church in Thame, Oxfordshire, the town he had called home since 1984. The service reflected both the intimacy of a family loss and the magnitude of a public farewell. His son RJ confirmed that “I Started a Joke” would be played during the ceremony—one final tribute in the language Robin knew best: music. As attendees found their places inside the quiet church, the soft glow of two candles flickered at the altar, casting a gentle light over an already emotional farewell.
Robin’s sons, RJ and Spencer, joined Stevie Gibb—Barry’s son—and Steven Murphy, the son of Robin’s wife Dwina, as pallbearers. The family shared that Robin had wished to say goodbye to his fans and to the town he loved, and people traveled from across the country to honor him.
The most emotional moment came from Barry, whose eulogy resonated with love, humor, regret, and grief. He remembered Robin’s unmatched wit, saying Robin’s humor could rival even the legendary Spike Milligan. He also spoke tenderly of Maurice, Robin’s twin, who passed away in 2003. Reflecting on their bond, Barry said that twins experience life in a uniquely shared way—and that now, after years of pain and separation, Robin and Maurice were together again.
Barry’s most poignant words came when he addressed the unresolved conflict between him and Robin. “Even right up to the end, we found conflict with each other—which now means nothing. If there’s conflict in your life—get rid of it.” It was a reminder that relationships are fragile, and that time does not always grant second chances.
After placing a single red rose atop Robin’s grave, Barry quietly stepped away—a simple act filled with profound emotion.
In the months after Robin’s passing, Barry openly shared that he struggled with overwhelming sadness. Music, however, became his way forward. He returned to the stage the following year, performing alongside his son Stephen and Maurice’s daughter Sami—carrying the Bee Gees’ legacy into a new generation.
Though the chance for reconciliation with Robin was lost, Barry continues to honor his brothers through every lyric, every note, and every memory shared. The story of Robin Gibb and the Bee Gees remains a powerful reminder: love, family, and forgiveness are treasures that should never be postponed—because time, once gone, cannot be reclaimed.