Happy 80th birthday to one of the finest musicians and songwriters of all time! Sir #BarryGibb was born on 1 September 1946 and, alongside his brothers Robin and Maurice, went on to create a catalogue of songs that has become part of music history. The #Beegees formed in the late 1950s and eventually sold more than 200 million records worldwide. In Britain alone they achieved five No.1 singles and 19 Top 10 hits, while in America they scored nine No.1s. What sometimes gets overlooked is just how extraordinary Barry’s songwriting career has been outside the Bee Gees too. He wrote the title song from Grease for Frankie Valli, while songs written by Barry and his brothers became huge hits for artists including Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, and Celine Dion. One particularly interesting story is Islands in the Stream. The song eventually became a massive hit for Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, but Barry later revealed it had originally been conceived in a completely different style with Marvin Gaye in mind. Then, of course, there was Saturday Night Fever. The soundtrack helped take the Bee Gees to another level and won Album of the Year at the Grammys, while Stayin’ Alive became one of the most instantly recognisable songs ever recorded. Barry has continued making music long after losing his brothers, and in 2021 he achieved his first solo UK No.1 album with Greenfields, featuring collaborations with artists including Dolly Parton and Keith Urban. More than seven decades after he started making music, his songs are still being played, covered and discovered by new generations. Happy 80th birthday, Sir Barry Gibb! See less