Remembering Colin Petersen - The Backbone of the Bee Gees

The Early Years and Acting Stardom

Petersen's journey began at a young age when he found fame as a child actor. In 1955, he starred in the film "Smiley" alongside Sir Ralph Richardson, which bestowed upon him the nickname "Smiley". This early success opened doors to other roles in the industry, such as in "Strange Affection" and "A Cry from the Streets". His talent as an actor laid the foundation for his future in music.His time as a child star not only gave him a unique identity but also exposed him to different aspects of the entertainment world. It was this diverse experience that would later shape his approach to music.

Musical Collaborations with the Bee Gees

Petersen's connection with the Bee Gees started while he was attending school on the Redcliffe Peninsula in Australia. He would listen to their recording sessions and eventually became a part of their early releases. He played on albums like "Bee Gees' 1st," "Horizontal," "Idea," "Odessa," and even though uncredited, "Cucumber Castle".His work on hits such as "To Love Somebody," "Massachusetts," and "Words" showcased his musical prowess. When he met up with the Gibb brothers in England, he became the first non-Gibb brother in the Bee Gees. In an interview with the "Strange Brew" podcast in 2022, he shared his thoughts on his work with the band. He said, "I was really quite imaginative with my playing, but there were a lot of drummers at the time that were technically much more advanced than I was. Look, Chuck Berry only probably knew four chords, right? So, sometimes when you’re limited, you’ve got to be creative... I think you can overdo the technique and you get to a stage where you can’t see the wood for the trees. I’ve always been a song guy with drumming."

Life After the Bee Gees

After leaving the Bee Gees in 1969 due to issues with the band's manager, Robert Stigwood, Petersen formed a band called Humpy Bong with singer Jonathan Kelly. However, this band was short-lived. After its disbandment, he managed Kelly's solo career for a while.In 1974, he returned to his homeland of Australia with his wife Joanne Newfield. They raised their two sons, Jaime and Ben, in Sydney. He worked in production and management in the music industry for several years before being approached by the Best of the Bee Gees band five years ago.In 2022, when he joined the tribute band, he was initially a little reluctant. But after seeing their performance and realizing their dedication, he was inspired to get back on the drums. He practiced hard for six weeks and eventually fell in love with it again.With Petersen's death, Barry Gibb is now the last living original member of the Bee Gees. His legacy will live on through his music and the memories he created.Tracy Wright is an entertainment reporter for Fox News Digital. Send story tips to Tracy.Wright@fox.com.