Editing Maurice Gibb

{{Short description|British musician (1949–2003)}}
{{Distinguish|Maurie Gibb}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Maurice Gibb
| image              = Maurice Gibb 1977.JPG
| caption            = Gibb in 1977
| honorific_suffix   = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|CBE}}
| birth_name         = Maurice Ernest Gibb
| birth_date         = {{birth date|df=y|1949|12|22}}
| spouse             = {{ubl|{{marriage|[[Lulu (singer)|Lulu]]|1969|1973|end=divorced}}|{{marriage|Yvonne Spenceley|1975}}}}<!-- YEAR OMITTED per Template:Marriage instructions-->
| children           = 2
| father             = [[Hugh Gibb]]
| mother             = 
| relatives          = {{ubl|[[Barry Gibb]] (brother)|[[Robin Gibb]] (twin brother)|[[Andy Gibb]] (brother)|[[Steve Gibb]] (nephew)}}
| death_date         = {{death date and age|df=y|2003|01|12|1949|12|22}}
| birth_place        = [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]], Isle of Man
| death_place        = [[Miami Beach, Florida]], US
| occupation         = {{hlist|Musician|singer|songwriter|record producer}}
| years_active       = 1955–2002
| website            = 
| signature          = Maurice Gibb signature.svg
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| background = solo_singer
| origin = [[Manchester]], England<ref name="around" />
| genre = {{hlist|[[Rock music|Rock]]|[[Pop music|pop]]|[[disco]]}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar|bass guitar|keyboards}}<!-- Although Gibb was a renowned instrumentalist, he gained fame for his signature harmony and backing vocals. -->
| label = {{flat list|[[Polydor Records|Polydor]]|[[Atco Records|Atco]]|[[Spin Records (Australian Label)|Spin]]|Beacon|[[Pye Records|Pye]]|[[Capitol Records|Capitol]]|[[RCA Records|RCA]]|Audiotrax}}
| past_member_of = {{hlist|[[Bee Gees]]|[[The Rattlesnakes (1950s band)|The Rattlesnakes]]
}}
}}
}}

'''Maurice Ernest Gibb''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|CBE}} ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɒr|ɪ|s}}; 22 December 1949 – 12 January 2003) was a British musician and songwriter. He achieved worldwide fame as a member of the [[Bee Gees]] pop group.<ref name="released" /> Although his elder brother [[Barry Gibb]] and twin brother [[Robin Gibb]] were the group's main lead singers, most of their albums included at least one or two songs featuring Maurice's lead vocals, including "[[Lay It on Me (Bee Gees song)|Lay It on Me]]", "[[Country Woman]]" and "[[On Time (song)|On Time]]". The Bee Gees are one of the most successful pop-rock groups of all time.<ref name="HoF">{{cite web |title=The Bee Gees biography |url=https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/bee-gees |publisher=Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum |year=1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628095548/http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-bee-gees/bio/ |archive-date=28 June 2011 |access-date=11 March 2023|url-status=live }}</ref>

Gibb started his music career in 1955 in [[Manchester]], England at the age of five joining the skiffle-rock and roll group [[The Rattlesnakes (1950s band)|the Rattlesnakes]],<ref name="around" /> which later evolved into the Bee Gees in 1958 after spending three years in Manchester when they moved to Australia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/features/brother-act-music-to-their-ears/story-e6freoro-1111118534450 |title=Bee Gees real Brisbane music pioneers |last=OMalley |first=Brendon |date=11 January 2009 |work=Courier Mail |access-date=16 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820203537/http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/features/brother-act-music-to-their-ears/story-e6freoro-1111118534450 |archive-date=20 August 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> They returned to England, where they achieved worldwide fame. In 2002, the Bee Gees were appointed as CBEs for their "contribution to music". Following Gibb's unexpected death in 2003, his son collected his award at [[Buckingham Palace]] in 2004.<ref name="CBE">{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1463010/Bitter-sweet-trip-to-palace-for-Bee-Gees.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1463010/Bitter-sweet-trip-to-palace-for-Bee-Gees.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title='Bitter-sweet' trip to palace for Bee Gees |date=28 May 2004 |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=27 September 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Maurice Gibb's earliest musical influences included [[the Everly Brothers]], [[Cliff Richard]], and [[Paul Anka]]; [[the Mills Brothers]] and [[the Beatles]] were significant later influences.<ref name="influences">{{cite web |url=http://www.shmoop.com/stayin-alive/influences.html |title=The Bee Gees Influences |publisher=Shmoop |access-date=11 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220602235858/https://www.shmoop.com/stayin-alive/influences.html |archive-date=2 June 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the Bee Gees' temporary break-up in 1969–1970, Maurice released his first solo single, "[[Railroad (song)|Railroad]]", but his first solo album, ''[[The Loner (Maurice Gibb album)|The Loner]]'', has never been released.

== 1949–1958: early years and the Rattlesnakes ==
{{further|The Rattlesnakes (1955 band)}}
[[File:The birth of Maurice & Robin Gibb.png|thumb|left|Record of the birth of Maurice & Robin Gibb (''Isle of Man Examiner, 23 December 1949)'']]
Maurice Ernest Gibb was born in [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]], Isle of Man,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Story About the Bee Gees / Part 1: 1940–1950 |url=http://www.brothersgibb.org/history-part-1.html |publisher=BrothersGibb.org |access-date=17 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117155219/http://www.brothersgibb.org/history-part-1.html |archive-date=17 January 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> on 22 December 1949, the son of [[Hugh Gibb]], a drummer, and his wife Barbara (''[[née]]'' Pass). He was the [[fraternal twin]] of [[Robin Gibb]], and was the younger of the two by 35 minutes. At that time, he had one sister, Lesley, and one additional brother, [[Barry Gibb|Barry]] (another brother, [[Andy Gibb|Andy]], would be born in 1958).

In January 1955, the Gibb family moved back to their hometown in [[Manchester]], England. Around that time, Gibb and his brothers were heard harmonising by their parents. Also in 1955, he started his music career when he joined the skiffle/rock-and-roll group [[The Rattlesnakes (1950s band)|the Rattlesnakes]] with his brothers and two friends, Paul Frost and Kenny Horrocks, who were their neighbours. The group's first major appearance was on 28 December 1957 when they performed at a local Gaumont cinema where children were invited to sing between films. They had planned to sing along to a 78 rpm record which Lesley had just been given as a Christmas present, but on the way Gibb dropped and broke it, so they sang live. The audience were pleased by their singing, which may have been the song "[[Wake Up Little Susie]]" by [[the Everly Brothers]].<ref name="around">{{cite book |last=Hughes |first=Andrew |title=The Bee Gees – Tales of the Brothers Gibb |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KugbDQHX0R8C&q=i%27ll+kiss+your+memory+bee+gees&pg=PT571 |year=2009 |publisher=Omnibus Press |isbn=9780857120045 |access-date=7 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/62.html |title=Gibb Songs:1946–1962 |access-date=11 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203140217/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/62.html |archive-date=3 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== 1958–2003: Bee Gees ==
{{main|Bee Gees}}

=== 1958–1969:  a trio to a quintet, Robin's absence and temporary breakup ===
When Gibb was eight years old, he emigrated to [[Redcliffe, Queensland|Redcliffe]], in [[Queensland]], Australia, with his family. Shortly afterward, he and his brothers formed the [[Bee Gees]]. By January 1963, the Gibbs moved to Sydney. The group's first single was "[[The Battle of the Blue and the Grey]]" but it failed to chart. Around 1963, the Gibb brothers worked with Judy Stone, Johnny Devlin and Jimmy Hannan. By 1964, Gibb made his first appearance as an instrumentalist on the beat-influenced "[[Claustrophobia (song)|Claustrophobia]]". Also in 1964, the Gibb brothers worked with Johnny Devlin and [[Trevor Gordon]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/64.html |title=Gibb Songs: 1964 |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |access-date=11 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203140143/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/64.html |archive-date=3 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> Around 1965, the Gibb brothers worked with Trevor Gordon, Michelle Rae and [[Noeleen Batley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/65.html |title=Gibb Songs: 1965 |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |access-date=11 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203140149/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/63.html |archive-date=3 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://anguskidman.show/2023/08/22/bee-gees-michelle-rae/ |title=Whatever happened to Michelle Rae?  |date=August 22, 2023 |access-date=August 23, 2023 }}</ref>
[[File:Bee Gees in 1967.jpg|thumb|Gibb (second from left) with the Bee Gees in 1967, when the band was a quintet]]
In 1966, the three Gibb brothers wrote their first song, "The Storm". Also that year, Gibb began his career as the guitarist and bassist for the band; at around the same time he recorded his first solo song, "[[All by Myself (Bee Gees song)|All by Myself]]", on which he also played guitar. Around 1966, the Gibb brothers worked with Bip Addison, Sandy Summers, Anne Shelton, [[Vince Melouney]], April Bryon, [[MPD Ltd]], Ray Brown and the Whispers, [[Ronnie Burns (singer)|Ronnie Burns]], [[Lori Balmer]], Marty Rhone, Vyt, Python Lee Jackson, Dennis Knight, Barrington Davis, Jenene and Jon Blanchfield. Their second album, ''[[Spicks and Specks (album)|Spicks and Specks]]'' (1966), included "[[Where Are You (Bee Gees song)|Where Are You]]", Gibb's first solo writing credit to be released.<ref name="released">{{cite web |url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/66.html |title=Gibb Songs: 1966 |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |access-date=11 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203140144/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/66.html |archive-date=3 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{quote box|quote="Maurice is closer to my attitudes and ideas. He has the same kind of humour as I have. We have other common interests like playing chess. He's the kind of guy who will come over and give you a hand washing the car."<ref name="around" /> |source=—[[Colin Petersen]], drummer for the Bee Gees on telling his band mates' personalities |width=25%|align=left|style=padding:8px;}}
In March 1967, the Gibb brothers worked with [[Billy J. Kramer]] recording "[[Town of Tuxley Toymaker, Part 1]]". Around the same time, Colin Petersen and Vince Melouney joined the Bee Gees. In the middle of 1967 ''[[Bee Gees' 1st]]'' was released. The album was praised by the critics who compared it to [[the Beatles]]' ''[[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]]'' which was released weeks earlier.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/67.html |title=Gibb Songs: 1967 |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |access-date=11 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203140150/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/67.htm |archive-date=3 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[AllMusic]]'s Bruce Eder wrote that Gibb's [[Mellotron]] on "[[Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You]]" 'was close in the spirit of [[the Moody Blues]] and was opened by a Gregorian chant.'<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/bee-gees-1st-mw0000198604 |title=Bee Gees – Bee Gees' 1st |last=Eder |first=Bruce |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=11 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228131431/https://www.allmusic.com/album/bee-gees-1st-mw0000198604 |archive-date=28 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> The band's first number 1 single in the UK, "[[Massachusetts (Bee Gees song)|Massachusetts]]" was released in September 1967. In early 1968, the ''[[Horizontal (album)|Horizontal]]'' was released. In August 1968, [[The Marbles (duo)|the Marbles]] released their first and only successful hit "[[Only One Woman]]" a song co-written by Gibb. In the middle of 1968, the band's third international LP ''[[Idea (album)|Idea]]'' included the song "[[Kitty Can]]", which features Gibb's high harmony vocal, with Barry Gibb singing low harmony.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/68.html |title=Gibb Songs: 1968 |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |access-date=11 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301032726/https://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/68.html |archive-date=1 March 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> In early 1969, they released ''[[Odessa (Bee Gees album)|Odessa]]'', which features Gibb's solo vocals on "[[Suddenly (Bee Gees song)|Suddenly]]" and "[[I Laugh in Your Face]]". On 19 March 1969, the same day that Robin Gibb announced his plans as a solo artist, Gibb and his bandmates recorded and later released "[[Tomorrow Tomorrow (Bee Gees song)|Tomorrow Tomorrow]]".<ref name="album" />

Maurice and Barry alone comprised the Bee Gees on the 1969 album ''[[Cucumber Castle]]'' during Robin's absence as a soloist. They sang the hit "[[Don't Forget to Remember]]" (which reached number two on the UK chart while Robin's first solo single, "Saved by the Bell", also reached number two) and follow up singles; "IOIO" and "Tomorrow, Tomorrow" with Barry taking lead and Maurice providing harmony vocals, but the duo version of the group enjoyed dwindling success. A [[supergroup (music)|supergroup]] in 1969 called [[the Fut]] was formed at a [[Tin Tin (band)|Tin Tin]] session and they recorded "[[Have You Heard the Word]]" while Gibb was still a Bee Gee, and released later as a single, the band consisting of Gibb on vocals/bass/guitar, [[Steve Kipner]] and Steve Groves on vocals with Billy Lawrie also providing background vocals. "[[Have You Heard the Word]]" features Gibb impersonating [[John Lennon]], and Beatles fans thought that it was a lost Beatles song which had not been previously released. In 1985, [[Yoko Ono]] attempted to register the song as a Lennon composition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2008/01/bee-gee-and-pal.html |title=Fake Beatles No. 1: A Blotto Bee Gee and His Pals Around with the Fab Four |date=17 January 2008 |publisher=WFMU'S BEWARE of the BLOG |access-date=16 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223135410/https://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2008/01/bee-gee-and-pal.html |archive-date=23 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 1 December 1969, Maurice and brother Barry announced to the world that the Bee Gees had broken up.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sandoval |first=Andrew |title=The Day-By-Day Story, 1945–1972 |year=2012 |publisher=Retrofuture Day-By-Day |isbn=978-0-943249-08-7 |pages=102–115 |edition=1st |type=Paperback}}</ref>

=== 1970–1979: first solo project and Bee Gees' reunion ===
{{quote box|quote=I suppose it was a good thing to get it out of my system, but at the same time, I never thought we would never sing together again. I started off intending to make go of it, but I soon found something was missing. I'd write songs and want desperately to play them to my brothers, but because of all the squabbles, I didn't feel I could. Then our record company unintentionally seemed to be trying to sabotage our solo careers. Distribution problems hit my solo single, ['Railroad'] Barry's first single, ['[[I'll Kiss Your Memory]]'] and Robin's second single ['[[One Million Years]]'] |source=—Gibb, on telling his first experience as a solo artist<ref name="around" /> |width=25%|align=right|style=padding:8px;}}
[[File:Maurice Gibb (Bee Gees) - TopPop 1973 (cropped).png|thumb|left|Gibb on [[TopPop]] in 1973.]]
In April 1970 Gibb released his first solo single, "[[Railroad (song)|Railroad]]" backed with "I've Come Back". His debut solo album, ''[[The Loner (Maurice Gibb album)|The Loner]]'', has not yet been released. All of the songs on the album feature guitar work by [[Stone the Crows]]' [[Leslie Harvey]]. In May 1970 the album ''Sing a Rude Song'' was released in the UK with Gibb singing lead vocals on the three songs on the album. By 1976, New Blood Records issued ''Bee Gees Information'' which was credited to Gibb and features four songs from ''The Loner'', but was only a limited edition for fan club, although the EP has no title but the picture sleeve of that has the club name ("Bee Gees Information") in large letters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/76.html |title=Gibb Songs: 1976 |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |access-date=6 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203140148/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/76.html |archive-date=3 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1970, he formed a [[Supergroup (music)|supergroup]] [[the Bloomfields]] with Billy Lawrie and they recorded a short version of "[[The Loner (Maurice Gibb song)|The Loner]]", which was released as a single in 1972 on [[Pye Records]] and intended for the film ''[[Bloomfield (film)|Bloomfield]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/70.html |title=Gibb Songs: 1970 |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |access-date=11 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227151517/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/70.html |archive-date=27 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Bloom-Fields-The-Heads-Hands-Feet-The-Loner-Homing-In-On-The-Next-Trade-Wind/release/6146228 |title=The Bloomfields – The Loner |year=1972 |publisher=discogs |access-date=10 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311113334/https://www.discogs.com/release/6146228-The-Bloom-Fields-Heads-Hands-Feet-The-Loner-Homing-In-On-The-Next-Trade-Wind |archive-date=11 March 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Bee Gees reunited on 21 August 1970. Maurice later began taking a few lead vocals on a Bee Gees tracks in the 70s such as "Lay It on Me", "Country Woman", "On Time" and "You Know It's For You".

=== 1980–2003: continuous solo works and later years ===
In 1981, he recorded some instrumental tracks for his unreleased instrumental album ''Strings and Things'', including "Image of Samantha", which seems refer to his daughter Samantha.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/81.html |title=Gibb Songs: 1981 |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |access-date=16 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203140213/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/81.html |archive-date=3 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1982, Gibb appeared at the San Remo Festival and performed "Wildflower", a Bee Gees' song on which he provided lead vocals from ''[[Living Eyes (Bee Gees album)|Living Eyes]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO2RiT8alrA | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/VO2RiT8alrA| archive-date=30 October 2021|title=Bee Gees (ultra rare) San Remo festival 1982. Maurice Gibb |via=YouTube |access-date=21 December 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 1983, Gibb re-recorded "On Time" at the same time as "[[Hold Her in Your Hand]]". By February 1984, he collaborated with arranger [[Jimmie Haskell]] for the [[A Breed Apart (soundtrack)|film soundtrack]] of ''[[A Breed Apart]]'', recorded at Gold Star Studios in Los Angeles. By March, he recorded "Miami, A Musical Score", this song was later used for a promotional film in Miami. His second single "Hold Her in Your Hand" was only issued in UK, Australia and South Africa.<ref name="both" /> In September 1986, the Bee Gees began writing and recording songs for their upcoming album ''[[E.S.P. (Bee Gees album)|ESP]]''.<ref name="Brennan">{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/86.html |title=Gibb Songs: 1986 |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |access-date=18 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203140159/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/86.html |archive-date=3 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> on which Maurice took lead vocal on the song "Overnight".

Gibb wrote and recorded the instrumental "The Supernaturals" in July 1985; it was later dubbed on the film of the same name, and he also appeared on the film doing a cameo appearance.<ref name="track" /> On 24 April 2001, The Bee Gees released their 23rd and final studio album, ''[[This Is Where I Came In]]'', which included his songs, "Walking on Air" and "Man in the Middle".

== Death ==
Gibb died suddenly at the age of 53 at [[Mount Sinai Medical Center (Miami)#Miami Heart Institute|Mount Sinai Medical Center]] in [[Miami Beach, Florida]], on 12 January 2003.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Pareles|first=Jon|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/13/movies/maurice-gibb-whose-bee-gees-defined-disco-dies-at-53.html|title=Maurice Gibb, Whose Bee Gees Defined Disco, Dies at 53|newspaper=New York Times|date=January 13, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Pearson|first=Richard|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2003/01/13/maurice-gibb-dies/749ba4a9-5996-4eb0-8bc4-e8bdaba26a04/|title=Maurice Gibb Dies|newspaper=Washington Post|date=January 13, 2003}}</ref> An autopsy later revealed he died of a [[volvulus|twisted intestine]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/16/gibb.autopsy/index.html?eref=sitesearch|title=Gibb autopsy cites twisted intestine|last=CandiottI|first=Susan|date=16 January 2003|publisher=CNN|access-date=22 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220906072957/https://edition.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/01/16/gibb.autopsy/index.html?eref=sitesearch |archive-date=6 September 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> 

A private funeral was attended by about 200 family and friends, including [[Michael Jackson]] and [[Harry Wayne Casey]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/remembering-maurice/4/|title=Remembering Maurice|website=CBS News|date=January 14, 2003}}</ref> After the service, his body was [[cremation|cremated]].<ref name="Private funeral for Maurice Gibb">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2659847.stm |title=Private funeral for Maurice Gibb |date=15 January 2003 |work=BBC News|access-date=18 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308121010/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2659847.stm |archive-date=8 March 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> Journalist and family friend [[Jennifer Valoppi]] said, "It was emotional, there was humor. Everybody talked about how this was a man who really celebrated life and so this was a celebration of his life."<ref name="Private funeral for Maurice Gibb"/><ref name="talked">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/hundreds-attend-maurice-gibbs-funeral-72666/ |title=Hundreds Attend Maurice Gibb's Funeral |date=16 January 2003 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=11 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426133345/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/hundreds-attend-maurice-gibbs-funeral-72666/ |archive-date=26 April 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> Nat Kipner, who managed the Bee Gees early in their career in Australia in 1966, also attended the service.<ref name="talked" /> Barry and Robin Gibb told the BBC about Maurice's death, "The fact that they had to operate on Maurice during the shock of cardiac arrest is very questionable." Barry said, "None of the sequence of events have yet made sense to us."<ref>{{cite web |title=Anger over Bee Gee death |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/anger-over-bee-gee-death-1135287 |website=Manchester Evening News |access-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513041647/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/anger-over-bee-gee-death-1135287 |archive-date=13 May 2021 |date=9 August 2004 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Robin Gibb spoke to ''Mojo'' magazine about Maurice's death in 2003: "We were kids together, and teenagers. We spent the whole of our lives with each other because of our music. I can't accept that he's dead. I just imagine he's alive somewhere else."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mojo4music.com/blog/2012/05/robin_gibb_rip.html |title=Robin Gibb, 1949–2012 |work=Mojo |access-date=18 February 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527060959/http://www.mojo4music.com/blog/2012/05/robin_gibb_rip.html |archive-date=27 May 2012  }}</ref> Barry and Robin ceased performing as a group for a time,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.mtv.com/news/i45qf2/bee-gees-name-to-be-retired-robin-gibb-says | title=Bee Gees Name To Be Retired, Robin Gibb Says  |publisher=MTV | first=Joe | last=D'Angelo | access-date=11 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311102416/https://www.mtv.com/news/i45qf2/bee-gees-name-to-be-retired-robin-gibb-says |archive-date=11 March 2023 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but later decided to perform occasionally under the Bee Gees banner<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/sep/08/bee-gees-re-form |work=The Guardian |location=London | title=Bee Gees to re-form for live comeback | first=Sean | last=Michaels | date=8 September 2009 | access-date=12 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528013952/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/sep/08/bee-gees-re-form |archive-date=28 May 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> until Robin died at the age of 62, from liver and kidney failure from [[colorectal cancer]], on 20 May 2012.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://torontosun.com/2012/05/27/gibb-died-from-kidney-liver-failure | title=Gibb died from kidney, liver failure  |newspaper=Toronto Sun | access-date=11 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801004103/https://torontosun.com/2012/05/27/gibb-died-from-kidney-liver-failure/wcm/3b854828-50ab-4a95-bc6d-2c4148eb22d9 |archive-date=1 August 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Influences ==
Gibb's influences were [[the Beatles]], [[the Everly Brothers]], [[Cliff Richard]], [[Paul Anka]] and [[the Mills Brothers]]. According to Gibb, he listened to the Beatles' early records when he was a child and was later influenced by [[Paul McCartney]]'s bass guitar-playing. Talking about the song "[[Have You Heard the Word]]" by [[the Fut]], on which Gibb sang and played bass, he said that "We were just getting ready to do some tracks and we were just doing nothing and I was fartin' around on the bass. I was a big Paul freak. He was a great teacher for me."<ref name="are">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Uzv_AgAAQBAJ&q=bee+gees+i+still+love+you&pg=PT1196 | title=The Bee Gees | author1=Melinda Bilyeu | author2=Hector Cook | author3=Andrew Môn Hughes | date=January 2011 | publisher=Omnibus Press | isbn=9780857128942 | access-date=6 December 2014}}</ref> Gibb added that "I could play every bass lick he [McCartney] played", especially "[[Michelle (song)|Michelle]]", saying that its bassline was "really tasteful stuff, and way ahead, way ahead of his time".<ref name="are" />

== Musicianship ==

=== Recognition ===
[[File:Maurice Gibb 1968.jpg|thumb|right|Gibb played bass on Dutch television ''Twien'' in 1968]]

DJ [[Paul Gambaccini]] said: "Maurice was the talented multi-instrumentalist, I mean here is a guy who played keyboards, guitar, bass and percussion."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/12/newsid_4071000/4071857.stm |title=Maurice Gibb dies after stomach op |work=BBC News|date=12 January 2003 |access-date=8 February 2015}}</ref>

Bruce Eder of [[AllMusic]] declared the track "Back Home" had "the loudest guitar ever heard on a Bee Gees record".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/2-years-on-mw0000206170 |title=2 Years On – Bee Gees |website=[[AllMusic]] |last=Eder |first=Bruce |access-date=10 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227155406/https://www.allmusic.com/album/2-years-on-mw0000206170 |archive-date=27 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the reunited Bee Gees from 1987 onward, Gibb was the group's resident expert on all technical phases of recording, and co-ordinated musicians and engineers to create much of the group's sound.

=== Instrumentalist ===
He contributed the electric and acoustic guitars and the [[Hammond organ]] on the debut Bee Gees album ''[[The Bee Gees Sing and Play 14 Barry Gibb Songs]]'' (1965). After that, he commenced his bass playing on the following album ''[[Spicks and Specks (album)|Spicks and Specks]]'' (1966). He focused on the bass and the keyboards after [[Vince Melouney]] had joined as the group's lead guitarist in 1967.

In terms of his proficiency at the guitar, he played lead guitar on "[[Country Woman]]" (1971) and the three ''[[2 Years On]]'' (1970) tracks: 1. "Back Home", 2. "Lay It on Me" and 3. "Every Second, Every Minute" in addition to rhythm guitar on Bee Gees tracks.

As for his experience as a keyboardist, he performed the piano or the keyboard during live performances besides studio recordings. The songs "[[Words (Bee Gees song)|Words]]" (1968), "[[Lonely Days]]" (1970) and "[[How Can You Mend a Broken Heart]]" (1971) were the frequent numbers at Bee Gees concerts. Other keyboards such as the [[harpsichord]] on "[[I Can't See Nobody]]" (1967), [[Mellotron]] on "[[Every Christian Lion Hearted Man Will Show You]]" (1967) and [[Moog synthesizer]] on "Sweet Song of Summer" (1972) were the evidence to prove his technical-savvy talent for different keyboards.

From 1966 to 1974, his main instrument was the guitar, the bass and the piano or the keyboard. From 1975 to 1979, he primarily played the bass for an experiment in creating distinctive syncopated funk bass lines for the foundation of Bee Gees' driving disco sound. Meanwhile, he often performed the guitar during live performances. From 1987 onwards, he preferred the keyboards or the synthesisers more than the guitar or the bass.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/14th-may-the-bee-gees-perform-live-on-stage-at-atlantic-records-40th-picture-id134054794 |title=Archived copy |access-date=21 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221164119/http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/14th-may-the-bee-gees-perform-live-on-stage-at-atlantic-records-40th-picture-id134054794 |archive-date=21 December 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq_GVjPVG9M| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626183136/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vq_GVjPVG9M&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=26 June 2017|title=You win again – Bee Gees (Live 1988)|last=DjukiNew1957|date=2 July 2015|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iATnf8IlP8Q| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/iATnf8IlP8Q| archive-date=30 October 2021|title=BEE GEES For Whom The Bell Tolls -New York-|last=WebTwinkle|date=23 March 2012|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMvHuxjFoNo|title=Bee Gees – Stayin' Alive 1989 Live Video|last=NEA ZIXNH|date=15 March 2014|via=YouTube}}</ref>

His first and only drumming for the Bee Gees was on the ''[[Cucumber Castle]]'' track "My Thing" (1969).

He once used the guitar given by [[John Lennon]] on the song "She Keeps On Coming" (2001).<ref name="Album credits">Album credits.</ref> In a continuity link for the song on the Top Of The Pops 2 special, in support of the album ''This Is Where I Came In'' Robin mentioned Lennon's guitar and Maurice confirmed it was his [[Epiphone]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7U0WhXi8Fo | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/b7U0WhXi8Fo| archive-date=30 October 2021|website=You Tube |title=Bee Gees Continuity Link 9 (@TOTP2 in 2001) |date=29 January 2012| access-date=1 January 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Some articles say it was Lennon's acoustic guitar on the song "This Is Where I Came In".

=== Vocals ===
On average, Maurice sang lead on one or two songs for each album and he was the lead vocalist on some Bee Gees tracks including "[[On Time (song)|On Time]]", "[[Lay It on Me (Bee Gees song)|Lay It on Me]]", "[[Still Waters (Bee Gees album)|Closer Than Close]]", and his last song "[[This Is Where I Came In|Man in the Middle]]". His first composition is "[[All by Myself (Bee Gees song)|All by Myself]]" recorded in 1966 but not released until 1970 on ''[[Inception/Nostalgia]]''. On the Bee Gees' live performances of "[[Nights on Broadway]]", Maurice sang falsetto rather than Barry who originally sang falsetto on the studio recording.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYmwGEAsz9I | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/tYmwGEAsz9I| archive-date=30 October 2021|title=Bee Gees Nights on Broadway 1975 |via=YouTube |access-date=8 February 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He also showcases his vocal talent on his unreleased LP ''The Loner''.

His comic personality shone on stage during Bee Gees concerts when the brothers would perform an acoustic medley. Many times, Maurice would mock Robin while he was singing or pretend he was bored during the song "[[Holiday (Bee Gees song)|Holiday]]" (Maurice did not sing on the original record), among other things.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-LlYi0bjt8| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/5-LlYi0bjt8| archive-date=30 October 2021|title=1975 Bee Gees Medley (Midnight Special)|date=6 June 2008|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfIMEdc8BdE| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/BfIMEdc8BdE| archive-date=30 October 2021|title=Bee Gees - Medley One for All Live 1989|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N7Gy58lCh4| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/1N7Gy58lCh4| archive-date=30 October 2021|title=Bee Gees - Medley - Live in London 1989 + Interview (MTV Japan)|date=23 June 2018|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDZYsiWIzh4| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/DDZYsiWIzh4| archive-date=30 October 2021|title=Bee Gees - Medley [Live by request]|date=23 June 2012|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

=== Songwriting ===
As a songwriter, Gibb contributed primarily to melody, with his brothers writing the lyrics that they would sing on the finished song (for the most part). It is difficult to identify his contributions because the songs were so shaped to the singer, but his brothers' continued writing collaboration with him on solo projects shows how much they relied on him. He was sometimes known as "the quiet one" for his less obvious contributions to the group, but privately he was a good teller of stories, who immensely enjoyed talking with fans. His reputation as a mild-mannered, stabilising influence with two very ambitious brothers continued through his life.<ref name=":Bilyeu">Melinda, Bilyeu, Hector Cook, Andrew Mon Hughes, ''The Bee Gees / Tales of the Brothers Gibb''. London: Omnibus, 2001.</ref>

=== Studio collaborations ===
In 1966, Gibb became a session musician in Australia for other artists including Bip Addison, Anne Shelton, April Bryon, Barrington Davis and singer Jon.<ref name="released" /> Around 1969, Gibb worked with his next-door neighbour, [[The Beatles|Beatle]] [[Ringo Starr]], and the result was the track "Modulating Maurice" but it was not released. Gibb played piano on the track "[[Saved by the Bell (song)|Saved by the Bell]]" as well as bass on "Mother and Jack" both songs performed by Robin Gibb for his first solo album.<ref name="album">{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/69.html |title=Gibb Songs: 1969 |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |access-date=11 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203140144/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/69.html |archive-date=3 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Around 1970, Gibb played piano on [[George Harrison]]'s song "[[Isn't It a Pity]]" as a part of his first triple solo album, ''[[All Things Must Pass]]''. In the recording studio he met [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]]' [[Phil Collins]], [[Phil Spector]], [[Ringo Starr]], [[Billy Preston]] and [[George Harrison|Harrison]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BwwLBaH9488C&q=maurice+gibb+george+harrison&pg=PT662 |title=1000 UK Number One Hits |last=Kutner |first=Jon |date=26 May 2010 |publisher=Omnibus Press |isbn=9780857123602 |access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref> In 1971, he produced [[Lulu (singer)|Lulu]]'s 1971 song "[[Everybody Clap (Lulu song)|Everybody Clap]]",<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9wgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA50 |title=Special Merit Spotlight |magazine=Billboard |date=22 May 1971 |page=50 |access-date=14 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311114519/https://books.google.com/books?id=9wgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA50&hl=en |archive-date=11 March 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> which features Gibb on guitar, Leslie Harvey on guitar, former [[Manfred Mann]] and [[Cream (band)|Cream]] member [[Jack Bruce]] on bass, and [[Led Zeppelin]]'s [[John Bonham]] on drums. Bonham and his wife, Pat Philips became friends with Gibb and Lulu.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hoskyns |first=Barney |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lkFSGeT50xIC&pg=PA223 |title=Led Zeppelin: The Oral History of the World's Greatest Rock Band |date=10 October 2012 |publisher=Wiley |isbn=9781118221112 |access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref> Also in that year, he played bass on Billy Lawrie's 1973 song "Freedom". Future [[Wings (band)|Wings]] and former [[Thunderclap Newman]] guitarist [[Jimmy McCulloch]] played guitar on that song, and McCulloch suggests that it was recorded at around the same time as Lulu's "Everybody Clap", with Stone the Crows' [[Maggie Bell]] providing backing vocals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/71.html |title=Gibb Songs: 1971 |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |access-date=18 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203140211/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/71.html |archive-date=3 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 17 January 1972, Gibb produced, with Billy Lawrie, "Baby Come on Home", released as a single also in that year. In April 1972, Gibb produced [[Jimmy Stevens (musician)|Jimmy Stevens]]' album ''[[Don't Freak Me Out]]'' (called ''Paid My Dues'' in US). The same year, Gibb produced ''Drift Away'', an album released by Bob Saker and Mike Berry; it includes a cover version of "On Time".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/72.html |title=Gibb Songs: 1972 |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |access-date=18 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301033532/https://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/72.html |archive-date=1 March 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1973, Gibb produced and played bass on Jimmy Stevens' unreleased numbers with musicians [[Alan Kendall]], Jimmy McCulloch, Pete Willsher, [[Zoot Money]] and singer [[Paul Jones (singer)|Paul Jones]]. In August 1973, Gibb participated on [[Andy Gibb]]'s first recording session, performing two new songs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/73.html |title=Gibb Songs: 1973 |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |access-date=18 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203140212/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/73.html |archive-date=3 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1978, Gibb produced with Steve Klein the [[Osmonds]]' album ''Steppin' Out'', which features a cover version of the Bee Gees' "[[Rest Your Love on Me]]". Also in 1978, Gibb composed "The Love That Was Lost", with [[Blue Weaver]] on keyboard and arranged by Mike Lewis, who also arranged for the disco group [[KC and the Sunshine Band]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/78.html |title=Gibb Songs: 1978 |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |access-date=18 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203140155/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/78.html |archive-date=3 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1980, Gibb co-wrote with [[Tim Rice]] "Last Affair of the Heart", which was recorded by [[Elaine Paige]] at AIR Studios in London along with "Secrets" and "Carried Away".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/80.html |title=Gibb Songs: 1980 |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |access-date=18 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203140150/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/80.html |archive-date=3 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1982, Gibb took part in Barry's original demo recording of the song "[[Eyes That See in the Dark (song)|Eyes That See in the Dark]]", a song intended for [[Kenny Rogers]]' [[Eyes That See in the Dark|album of the same name]]. In August 1982, Gibb wrote and recorded "Spirit of the Snow" and intended for the film ''[[A Christmas Carol (1984 film)|A Christmas Carol]]''. Gibb worked with Robin on his three albums ''[[How Old Are You? (album)|How Old Are You?]]'' (1983), ''[[Secret Agent (Robin Gibb album)|Secret Agent]]'' (1984) and ''[[Walls Have Eyes]]'' (1985). Gibb co-wrote "[[Shine, Shine]]" with his brother Barry and keyboardist George Bitzer, the song later became a Top 40 for Barry in the US.<ref name="both">{{cite web |url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/84.html |title=Gibb Songs: 1984 |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |access-date=18 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307165821/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/84.html |archive-date=7 March 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1985, Gibb sang background vocals on [[Larry Gatlin]]'s songs "Indian Summer", available on Gatlin's album ''Smile'' with Gatlin and [[Roy Orbison]] on lead vocals; another track "Didn't We Call It (Falling in Love)" was not released.<ref name="track">{{cite web |url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/85.html |title=Gibb Songs: 1985 |last=Brennan |first=Joseph |access-date=18 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203140159/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/85.html |archive-date=3 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1986, Gibb produced [[Carola Häggkvist|Carola]]'s album ''[[Runaway (Carola album)|Runaway]]''. Also in 1986, Gibb participated on the Bunbury songs "Up the Revolution", "Fight (No Matter How Long)", "Bunbury Afternoon" and "Seasons".

One of Gibb's last recordings was on the demo of "I Cannot Give You My Love" on which he played keyboards with his brother Barry taking the lead vocals. The song was intended for [[Cliff Richard]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Rust |first=Victor |title=The Cliff Richard Recording Catalogue 1958–2010 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HyijAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA212 |access-date=14 February 2015 |year=2010 |publisher=Victor Rust |isbn=9780956738400}}</ref>

== Personal life ==

Gibb met Scottish pop singer [[Lulu (singer)|Lulu]] through [[Colin Petersen]] in 1967. Lulu recalls about Maurice, "I thought Maurice was cute, so I said, 'In that case, tell him to stop talking about me and take me out', He did just that, I never expected much to come from this, but in fact our relationship grew, after a fashion. Going steady is quite the wrong way to describe what was happening between us. Going unsteady might better sum up the way we fell in and out with each other". According to Lulu, she, Maurice and [[Robert Stigwood]] watched [[Pink Floyd]] at the [[Saville Theatre]] in London on 1 October 1967. Later, after his relationship with Lulu had become public knowledge, he said: "Lulu and I met on the ''Top of the Pops'' TV show three months ago, and then at the Saville Theatre in London last month".<ref name="around" />

Later in 1968, Lulu was seen in public with [[Davy Jones (musician)|Davy Jones]] of [[the Monkees]]; Jones was also a friend of Maurice. As Gibb recalled, "Davy Jones was a good friend of mine, I broke it off with Lulu over the phone and Davy called me up and said 'I am going to ask Lu to dinner with some friends, is that all right?' I said, 'Yes, I am not going out with her anymore, have a ball' and threw the phone down. They then took so many photos of them and made it look like a six-month romance, but she had only been out with him that one night, she did not even want to go out. She phoned me the next day and she was crying, saying she was sorry". Maurice later regretted not accepting her apology. "We just grew up, that's all," Maurice admitted. "We were miserable apart and when we started going out again, it got so that I didn't want to be with anyone. I used to phone her up from Los Angeles about twice a day. Then she'd call me back. We used to make about 90-minute calls".<ref name="around" />

In the same year, Gibb was seen in public with Hungarian singer [[Sarolta Zalatnay]], but he later insisted: "I'm not a Casanova and it's all most unfortunate. I've never been publicised to be available. Because of the stories of my affairs with Lulu and Sarolta, the fans feel, 'Oh, we won't bother about Maurice because he's always got a steady girl'.

Gibb and Lulu married on 18 February 1969 and separated in 1973.<ref>{{cite web|author=Marion Adriaensen |url=http://www.brothersgibb.org/history-part-4.html |title=History Part 4 |publisher=Brothersgibb.org |date=25 November 1966 |access-date=27 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117155230/http://www.brothersgibb.org/history-part-4.html |archive-date=17 January 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> Their careers and his heavy drinking forced them apart and they divorced, childless.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/maurice-gibb-601289.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/maurice-gibb-601289.html |archive-date=12 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Maurice Gibb – Obituaries, News |work=The Independent  |access-date=5 September 2011}}</ref> Gibb later said they both drank: "We didn't have any responsibilities, we'd just party."<ref name=drink>[[Woman's Day]] Australia, 3 October 1992. "Maurice Gibb: Demon Drink", page 8.</ref>

In her autobiography, [[Barbara Windsor]] claimed to have had a brief affair with him.<ref>Windsor, Barbara (2000). All of Me: My Extraordinary Life. Headline Book Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7472-7007-2. Page 121</ref>

=== Family ===
He married his second wife, Yvonne Spenceley Gibb, on 17 October 1975. They had two children. Their marriage lasted until his death. Maurice's alcoholic nadir came in 1991, when he pulled a gun on his wife and children after a month-long [[Binge drinking|bender]].<ref name=drink /> They left him and immediately went to brother Barry's house, refusing to come back until he had done something about his drinking. Maurice went into rehab, calling Yvonne and telling her he was going to stay because he wanted to stop drinking. She said that that was the call she had been waiting for.<ref name="drink" />

=== Substance abuse and recovery ===
Gibb said he had "battled the booze" since the 1970s. [[John Lennon]] introduced him to his favourite drink, scotch and coke:<ref name="Transcript of CNN Larry King Weekend interview">{{cite web |url=https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/lklw/date/2002-02-02/segment/00 |title=Interview With the Bee Gees |publisher=CNN |date=2 February 2002 |access-date=11 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007230034/https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/lklw/date/2002-02-02/segment/00 |archive-date=7 October 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> "If he had given me [[cyanide]], I would have drunk the cyanide, I was so in awe of the man."<ref name="drink" /><ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/johnlennoninhiso0000lawr |url-access=registration |page=[https://archive.org/details/johnlennoninhiso0000lawr/page/168 168] |title=John Lennon: In His Own Words |publisher=Andrews McMeel Publishing |last=Lawrence |first=Ken |date=October 2005 |isbn=9780740754777 |access-date=14 February 2015}}</ref> He would go out drinking with his neighbour, [[Ringo Starr]]. According to Barry, it got to the point where he became unreliable, and he would have to feel his way along the wall prior to going onstage.<ref name="drink" /> One factor in Maurice's recovery was the active intervention of his brothers, who had recently lost their youngest brother Andy. In an interview, Maurice acknowledged that his final years of alcohol abuse had been driven by his failure to reach Andy before his death, and his subsequent guilt. After rehab, Maurice started to rediscover his family again, spending quality time with them. To celebrate this, he and Yvonne renewed their wedding vows in 1992. The ceremony was attended not only by many members of their families but many of the friends Gibb made while at the rehabilitation centre.<ref name="drink" /> Maurice would remain sober until his death.

== Legacy ==
Maurice Gibb was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 as a member of The Bee Gees.

[[Wyclef Jean]] recorded "[[Jive Talkin']]" in 2005 and [[Sheryl Crow]] recorded "[[To Love Somebody (song)|To Love Somebody]]" in 2005 as a tribute for him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/05.html|title=Gibb Songs: 2005|author=Joseph Brennan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203140216/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/beegees/05.html |archive-date=3 February 2023 |url-status=live }}</ref> A novel entitled ''Souls Stick Around: A Tale of the Black Hills and Maurice Gibb'', was published in March 2012 by Bee Gees fan and author Dawnette Owens.

A recording studio at [[Chorlton High School]], one of the schools the brothers attended, commemorates Gibb.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/3705559.stm|title=Bee Gees go back to their roots|date=12 May 2004|work=BBC News|access-date=8 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901075717/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3705559.stm |archive-date=1 September 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> In honouring Gibb, his brother Barry Gibb noted: "Mo was a real McCartney bass freak, as a lot of us were. He would pick up on all the things that McCartney would [do]. Maurice was very good on different instruments, you know. Good lead guitarist, good bass player, good keyboard player. He was versatile. He loved playing bass more than anything else, I think, at that time."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://aln2.albumlinernotes.com/Idea__1968_.html |title=Bee Gees – Idea at Album Liner Notes |last=Sandoval |first=Andrew|publisher=Album Liner Notes |access-date=21 May 2013}}</ref>

===Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame===
The [[Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame]] was established in 2004 to honour the lifetime achievements of some of Australia's greatest songwriters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asai.org.au/hall-of-fame/|title=Hall of Fame|website=asai|access-date=17 September 2020}}</ref>
{{awards table}}
|-
| 2022
| Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb
| [[Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame]]
| {{yes2|inducted}}
|}

== Discography ==
;Unreleased albums
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="1"| Album details
|-
| align="left" | ''[[The Loner (Maurice Gibb album)|The Loner]]''
*Recorded: 1969–1970
|-
| align="left"|''[[A Breed Apart (soundtrack)|A Breed Apart]]''
* Recorded: 1984
|}

;Singles
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Single
! colspan="4"| Peak chart positions
! rowspan="2"| Album
|- style="font-size:smaller;"
!width="35"| [[UK Singles Chart|UK]]
!width="35"| [[Billboard Hot 100|US]]
!width="35" | [[Malaysia]] <br /><ref name="malaysia">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jikEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA64 |title=Hits of the World |date=3 October 1970 |magazine=Billboard |page=64 |access-date=14 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214022833/https://books.google.com/books?id=jikEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA64 |archive-date=14 December 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref>
!width="35" | Singapore<br /><ref name="malaysia" />
|-
|1970
| align="left" | "[[Railroad (song)|Railroad]]"
| —
| —
| 6
| 9
|''[[The Loner (Maurice Gibb album)|The Loner]]''
|-
|1984
|align="left" | "[[Hold Her in Your Hand]]"
| —
| —
| —
| —
| ''[[A Breed Apart (soundtrack)|A Breed Apart]]''
|-
| colspan="8" style="text-align:center; font-size:8pt;"| "—" denotes releases did not chart
|}

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ List of acting performances
|-
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Cucumber Castle (film)|Cucumber Castle]]''
| style="text-align:center;"| 1970
| Prince Marmaduke, King of Jelly
| Film; also writer
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (film)|Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]]''
| style="text-align:center;"| 1978
| Bob Henderson
| Film
|-
! scope="row" | ''[[The Supernaturals (film)|The Supernaturals]]''
| style="text-align:center;"| 1986
| Union Soldier
| Film (uncredited)
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*{{IMDb name|316465|Maurice Gibb}}
*{{Discogs artist}}
 
{{Maurice Gibb}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Maurice Gibb
|list =
{{Grammy Award for Album of the Year}}
{{Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical}}
{{1997 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Bee Gees}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gibb, Maurice}}
[[Category:Maurice Gibb| ]]
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[[Category:20th-century British guitarists]]
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[[Category:21st-century British pianists]]
[[Category:21st-century British bass guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century British singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century British singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:21st-century Manx musicians]]
[[Category:Bee Gees members]]
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[[Category:British expatriate musicians in the United States]]
[[Category:British male guitarists]]
[[Category:British male pianists]]
[[Category:British soft rock musicians]]
[[Category:Child pop musicians]]
[[Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:British child singers]]
[[Category:British expatriates in Australia]]
[[Category:British pop keyboardists]]
[[Category:British male singers]]
[[Category:British male singer-songwriters]]
[[Category:British multi-instrumentalists]]
[[Category:British people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:British people of Manx descent]]
[[Category:British people of Scottish descent]]
[[Category:British rhythm guitarists]]
[[Category:British pop guitarists]]
[[Category:British pop pianists]]
[[Category:British male pop singers]]
[[Category:British pop rock singers]]
[[Category:British record producers]]
[[Category:British dance-pop musicians]]
[[Category:Disco singers]]
[[Category:Gibb family (show business)|Maurice]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Ivor Novello Award winners]]
[[Category:British male bass guitarists]]
[[Category:People from Douglas, Isle of Man]]
[[Category:Singers from Manchester]]
[[Category:Twin musicians]]
[[Category:British twins]]
[[Category:Deaths from bowel obstruction]]
[[Category:People educated at Chorlton High School]]