Bee Gees Original Drummer Colin Petersen Dead at 78

Remind Staff November 19, 2:58 pm

Australian musician Colin Petersen, the drummer for the Bee Gees, circa 1967. — Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Colin Petersen, the original drummer for the Bee Gees, died Monday, November 18. He was 78.

“It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our dear friend Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen,” announced Evan Webster of Best of the Bee Gees, a tribute band that Petersen played with, on the band’s Facebook page. “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.”

Smiley, poster, US lobbycard, from left: Chips Rafferty, Bruce Archer, Colin Petersen, Ralph Richardson, Jocelyn Hernfield, John McCallum, 1956.

LMPC via Getty Images

Peterson initially found fame as a child actor, starring in the 1955 film Smiley with English actor Sir Ralph Richardson. The film gave him his nickname, “Smiley,” as well as more work as an actor; he went on to star in the 1957 drama Strange Affection and the 1958 drama A Cry from the Streets, among others. But it was the Bee Gees that gave him the biggest boost in public recognition. After becoming the first non-family member to join the Bee Gees when the Gibb brothers relocated to London in 1966. Petersen played drums on the albums Bee Gees’ 1st, Horizontal, Idea, Odessa and Cucumber Castle. Playing on classic hits like “I Started a Joke,” “To Love Somebody” and “I Just Gotta Get a Message to You,” he eventually left the Bee Gees in 1969, because he had issues with the band’s manager, Robert Stigwood. He started another band called Humpy Bong with singer-songwriter Jonathan Kelly, but gave that up and eventually began a management company with his wife.

Pop group The Bee Gees, circa 1967. Clockwise from bottom left, they are Colin Petersen, Vince Melouney, Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb.

Clockwise from bottom left: Colin Petersen, Vince Melouney, Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb. Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

In 1974, Petersen returned to his homeland of Australia with wife Joanne Newfield, who was a personal assistant to Beatles manager Brian Epstein and, later, to Bee Gees manager Robert Stigwood. Together they raised their two sons, Jaime and Ben, in Sydney, but eventually divorced. He worked in production and management in the music industry for several years before he was approached by the Best of the Bee Gees tribute band five years ago.

Now, Barry Gibb is the last living original member of the Bee Gees. Robin died in 2012 at the age of 62, and Maurice died in 2003 at the age of 53. Dennis Bryon, another former Bee Gees drummer who played for the band from 1974-1980, died on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.