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Maurice Gibb

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MAURICE GIBB

Profile

Full name: Maurice Ernest Gibb
Birthday: Dec 22, 1949
Birth place: Douglas (Isle of Man - British Isles)

Height: 1.70 m (5.7 ft)
Weight: 75 Kg (150 pounds)
Hair colour: Brown
Eyes colour: Brown

Marital status: Married to Yvonne since 1975, with two children: Adam (born 1976) and Samantha (born 1980)

Hobbies: Photography, computers, cars, and, above all, paintball (he had his own team - The Royal Rat Rangers- and a paintball shop - Commander Mo's Paintball Shop)

Personality: Extrovert, gregarious, easy-going, generous, personable, kind, down to earth, optimistic, cheerful, prone to exaggerate things, great story teller, charming, with a wonderful sense of humour.

"His voice was silenced too soon.  Those who knew the band for more than their dominion over the disco sound of the mid to late seventies, understood what a valuable member of the Bee Gees Maurice Gibb was. With his bouncing bass-lines and multi-layered keyboard cakes of sound, he shaped the sound that gave the band one of the greatest legacies in rock history.  On Sunday, January 12, 2003, he breathed his last breath after suffering from a cardiac arrest apparently triggered by complications of a blocked intestine. The news came as quite a dramatic shock to the family, friends and fans of the man and his music." (Bruce L Thiessen)

Maurice and the Bee Gees
At the age of 6 he started a musical career with his brothers Barry and Robin that spanned more than 45 years. Together they formed a perfect team, with Barry and Robin providing the lyrics and Maurice the music.

"One of us is OK, two of us is pretty good, but three of us together is magic." (Maurice Gibb)
"Maurice Gibb is [...] the arranging brain and the multi-instrumentalist of the group. Although his singing is usually restricted to singing harmonies on the choruses, in the studios his part is enormous. He plays bass, piano, organ, mellotron, rhythm guitar and is now lead guitarist. Added to all this, his rapport with the two other brothers Gibb is incredible too. The way he can translate the songs they've written into the right field for recording amazes me. It's because of this that the other two can come into a recording studio and write a song and then Maurice will instantly arrange it for immediate recording." (Robert Stigwood) "I do less singing, of course. I only come in on high harmonies. I'm more of the musician, playing the piano, bass, mellotron or organ on records, which saves money on hiring musicians, for one thing. It's the same when it comes to writing. I write the music, because I cannot really write lyrics. But I can write chords like Robin's never heard of. So I provide the music for them to write the lyrics to. It's the same as on stage -when we write we complement each other." (Maurice Gibb) "I am more or less in the middle. I've always been between Barry and Robin. But I am always the decider. It's just been our life that I always end up being the man in the middle. So they call me the engine. They call me all sorts of stuff. Barry and Robin have these different types of egos sometimes they come out and they stop. And I've got to cut myself out here. I don't want to be like them. So being down to earth is probably more important than anything else. And they're like that. They're just great guys. They're just guys like you and me. We sit and we chat, it's the same thing." (Maurice Gibb)

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Bee Gees songs written only by Maurice

  • Where are you (1966): It was featured on the album Spicks and specks
  • Lay it on me (1970): Album - 2 years on
  • Country woman (1971): B-side of How can you mend a broken heart
  • It's just the way (1971): Album - Trafalgar
  • Trafalgar (1971): Album - Trafalgar
  • On time (1971): B-side of My world
  • You know it's for you (1972): Album - To whom it may concern
  • Walking on air (2001): Album - This is where I came in
Listen to Maurice Sing
  • Where are you (album: Monday's rain)
  • Lonely winter (Inception/Nostalgia)
  • All By Myself (Inception/Nostalgia)
  • Daytime Girl (Horizontal)
  • Kitty Can (Idea)
  • Suddenly (Odessa)
  • Melody Fair (Odessa; not lead vocals)
  • My Thing (Cucumber Castle)
  • Leave me here to longer with the ladies (Sing a rude song)
  • The Loner (The Loner)
  • Railroad (Tales from the brothers Gibb)
  • On Time (Tales from the brothers Gibb)
  • Lay It On Me ( 2 Years On)
  • It's Just The Way (Trafalgar)
  • Trafalgar (Trafalgar)
  • Country woman (Tales from the brothers Gibb)
  • You Know It's For You (To Whom It May Concern)
  • Elisa (Tales from the brothers Gibb)
  • For The Benefit of Mr. Kite (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band)
  • Wildflower (Living Eyes)
  • Hold her in your hand (A breed apart)
  • Overnight (ESP)
  • House of Shame (One)
  • Dimension (High Civilization)
  • Omega Man (Size isn't everything)
  • Above and Beyond (Size isn't everything)
  • Closer Than Close (Still Waters)
  • Love Never Dies (B side)
  • Man In The Middle (This is where I came in)
  • Walking on air (This is where I came in)
 Listen to Maurice Play
  • First (1967): bass, guitar, piano, organ, mellotron, harpsichord.
  • Horizontal (1968): bass, piano.
  • Idea (1968): bass, piano, organ, mellotron.
  • Odessa (1969): bass, guitar, piano.
  • Cucumber castle (1969): bass, guitar, piano, mellotron.
  • 2 years on (1970): bass, guitar, piano.
  • Trafalgar (1971): bass, guitar, piano, organ.
  • To whom it may concern (1972): bass, guitar, piano, organ, harpsichord, synthesizer, mandoline.
  • Life in a tin can (1973): bass, guitar, keyboard, piano.
  • Mr Natural (1974): bass, organ, mellotron.
  • Main course (1975): bass, guitar.
  • Children of the world (1976): bass.
  • Saturday night fever Songs (1977): bass.
  • Spirits having flown (1979): bass.
  • Living eyes (1981): acoustic guitar.
  • ESP (1987): guitars, bass, keyboards, synthesizer.
  • One (1989): keyboards, guitar.
  • High civilization (1991): keyboards, guitar.
  • Size isn't everything (1993): keyboards, guitar.
  • Still waters (1997): guitar, keyboards.
  • This is where I came in (2001): guitar, keyboards.

Maurice... Going Solo

Apart from working with his brothers, Maurice Gibb also made music on his own and worked with other artists, writing songs with them, or playing, arranging and producing their songs or albums.

  • In 1966, when he was only 16, Maurice started writing songs not only for the Bee Gees but also for other Australian acts in collaboration with Nat Kipner.

  • 'Messing around' for Sandy Summers
  • 'Hey' and 'Young man's fancy' for Bip Addison
  • 'Talk to me' for Anne Shelton
  • 'Don't you go, I need your love' for The Mystics
  • 'He's a thief' for April Byron
  • 'As fast as I can' and 'Raining teardrops' for Barrington Davies
  • 'So long boy' for Jenene Watson

  • Back in England, when the band broke up in 1969, Maurice made a solo album, produced other acts, and even played a role in a stage musical.

Solo works Production/Arrangement Acting & singing
Railroad / I've come back (1970)

THE LONER (1970)

 Billy Lawrie: 'Roll over Beethoven' / 'Come back Joanna' (1969)

Ringo Starr: SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY (1970)

Tin Tin: TIN TIN (1970)

 SING A RUDE SONG (1970)

  • In 1970 the brothers got together again as the Bee Gees. In the early 70s, before moving to the States, Maurice continued to collaborate with other artists and writing music for films:

  • Lulu: 'Everybody clap' / 'After the feeling is gone' (1971): Maurice and his brother in law Billy Lawrie (Lulu's brother) wrote the A-side. The single was produced by Maurice, who also sang backing vocals.
  • Bev Harrell: 'Back to the people' / 'Travelling easy' (1971): Maurice produced the single, and co-wrote the A-side with Billy Lawrie.
  • Tin Tin: ASTRAL TAXI (1972): Maurice was the executive producer.
  • BLOOMFIELD / THE LONER [OST] (1972): Maurice Gibb wrote the song 'The Loner' for this film
  • Norman Hitchcock: 'Just another minute' / 'My wagon' (1972): The single was produced by Maurice and Billy Lawrie.
  • Jimmy Stevens: PAID MY DUES (1973): The album was produced by Maurice, who also contributed vocally and instrumentally.
  • Graham Bonnet: 'Trying to say goodbye' / 'Castles in the air' (1973): Maurice produced the single.
  • Bob Sacker: THEY'VE TAKEN BACK MY NUMBER (1973): Produced by Maurice Gibb, who also played bass.
  • Steve Hodson: 'Crystal Bay' / 'San Diego Bay' (1973): Maurice Gibb and Billy Lawrie wrote the A-side.
  • Billy Lawrie: SHIP IMAGINATION (1973): The song 'Freedom' was written by Maurice and Billy Lawrie.

  • After the Fever years, he continued to work solo and with other acts, as well as with his brothers on their solo albums.

  • Osmonds: STEPPIN' OUT (1979): Co-produced by Maurice Gibb
  • Barbra Streisand: GUILTY (1980): Maurice co-wrote the song 'Guilty'
  • Dionne Warwick: HEARTBREAKER (1982): Maurice co-wrote six of the songs
  • Kenny Rogers: EYES THAT SEE IN THE DARK (1983): Maurice co-wrote eight of the songs
  • Robin Gibb: HOW OLD ARE YOU (1983): Maurice co-wrote all songs on this album with twin brother Robin. He also played bass, guitar and keyboards, sang backing vocals and coproduced the album
  • Barry Gibb: NOW VOYAGER (1984): Maurice co-wrote six of the songs on this album.
  • Robin Gibb: SECRET AGENT (1984): Maurice co-wrote all the songs. He also played synthesizers and keyboards and sang backing vocals and co-produced the album
  • Robin Gibb: WALLS HAVE EYES (1985): Maurice co-wrote all songs, contributed vocally and musically and co-produced the album
  • A BREED APART [OST] (1984): Soundtrack written by Maurice Gibb
  • Carola: RUNAWAY (1986): Produced by Maurice Gibb, who also co-wrote all songs and contributed playing some instruments.
  • Lulu: INDEPENDENCE (1992): Co-produced by Barry and Maurice

Articles & Interviews:

  1. "Inside the Bee Gees: Maurice Gibb" (Hit Parader, February 1968)

  2. "Lulu and Maurice want five kids, but no honeymoon!" (NME, Jan 4, 1969)

  3. "Lulu Maurice - 3,000 turn up for quiet wedding" (NME, February 22, 1969)

  4. "Lulu by Maurice on first anniversary" (NME, March 1, 1969)

  5. "Maurice may say No to Hair role" (Disc and Music Echo, May 31, 1969)

  6. "Bee Gee Maurice plays up-tempo raver" (NME, June 1969)

  7. "Lulu and Maurice: Stars that are happiest at home" (Disc & Music Echo, June 1969)

  8. "When Aston was Maurice's only friend" (Disc & Music Echo, July1969)

  9. "Maurice Gibb makes debut" (NME, April 18, 1970)

  10. "At Home With Maurice Gibb" (TG Magazine, Sept 1978)

  11. Maurice comments on the Clive Anderson interview Come home to Ellan Vannin. Follow-up. 1997)

  12. In Conversation with Maurice Gibb (In Conversation, May 2001)

  13. "A little jive talkin' with a Bee Gee" (San Francisco Chronicle, January 2002)

  14. "Interview with Maurice Gibb" (Crossfire Magazine, Jan 2002)

  15. "Lulu and her lovers" (Daily Record, September 2002)

  16. "I remember Maurice Gibb" (The Star - Jan 2003)

  17. "Last records of a Bee Gee's life" (Sunday Times, June 2003)

  18. "Gibb memorial park to be put on ballot" (Miami Herald, July 10, 2003)

  19. "Final farewell to the 'quiet' Bee Gee" (Jan 13, 2003)

  20. "Late Bee Gee musician helped police bust burglary gang" (AP, February 2, 2004)

  21. "Bee Gee's family to settle over death" (The Scotsman, February 15, 2004)

  22. Maurice Gibb studio (May 12, 2004)

  23. "Bee Gee widow to inherit £35 million" (Daily Mail, October 2004)

  24. Samantha Gibb talks about her father, Maurice Gibb (The Mail On Sunday, January 1 2006)

  25. "Home is sold to Bee Gees widow" (Miami Herald, July 16, 2006)

  26. "Bee Gee estate in Miami Beach changes hands" (Miami Herald,  December 24 2006)

  27. Maurice Gibb Park dedication (March 4)

  28. "Name's staying alive" (Miami Herald, March 11 2007)



Bee Gees - Barry Gibb - Robin Gibb - Maurice Gibb