Bee Gees: How Many Are Still Alive? Deaths, Causes & Feuds

There’s a reason the Bee Gees’ story feels more like a family drama than a pop music history: of the four Gibb brothers who sang on those legendary records, only Barry is still alive today. Robin, Maurice, and their younger brother Andy all passed away between 1988 and 2012, each from a different cause.

Living Bee Gee members: 1 (Barry Gibb) · Deceased Bee Gee members: 3 (Robin, Maurice, Andy) · Cause of death for Robin Gibb: Colorectal cancer (2012) · Cause of death for Maurice Gibb: Cardiac arrest (2003) · Cause of death for Andy Gibb: Myocarditis (1988) · Career span: 1958–2003 (45 years)

Six core facts paint the picture of the Bee Gees’ journey—from Australian boys to global icons to a family marked by loss.

How many Bee Gees are still alive?

Current living status of each Gibb brother

• Barry Gibb (born 1 September 1946) is the sole surviving Bee Gee. The Daily Express report notes Barry has spoken of the guilt he feels at being the only brother left.
• Robin Gibb (22 December 1949 – 20 May 2012) died at age 62 from colorectal cancer, as confirmed by ABC News article.
• Maurice Gibb (22 December 1949 – 12 January 2003) died at 53 from cardiac arrest before emergency surgery, according to CBS News report.
• Andy Gibb (5 March 1958 – 10 March 1988) died at 30 from myocarditis (GuitarReviewed analysis, same source as above).

The implication: The Bee Gees’ legacy now rests solely on Barry’s shoulders.

What did Robin Gibb pass away from?

Robin Gibb’s cause of death

Robin Gibb died from colorectal cancer, a diagnosis he received in 2010. The Irish Independent feature reported that the cancer was initially discovered during a routine check-up. He underwent surgery and chemotherapy, but the disease spread to his liver and eventually to his brain. Robin passed away on 20 May 2012 at the age of 62.

Timeline of his illness

• 2010: Diagnosed with colorectal cancer (Irish Independent feature)
• 2011: Treated at the Royal Marsden Hospital; later reported a tumour on his liver (ABC News article)
• May 2012: Died after a brief coma (ABC News article)

The implication: Robin’s death closed the final chapter of the band’s active history.

Why was Andy Gibb not a Bee Gee?

Andy Gibb’s solo career

Andy Gibb, the youngest Gibb brother, was never an official member of the Bee Gees. He launched a solo career in the late 1970s, scoring hits like “I Just Want to Be Your Everything” and “Shadow Dancing.” According to GuitarReviewed analysis, he was invited to join the group on tour but never became a voting member. The Bee Gees remained a trio of the three older brothers.

Family band structure

• Barry, Robin, and Maurice formed the group in 1958; they were always the core.
• Andy was 9 years younger than the twins, born in 1958—the same year the band formed.
• He struggled with drug addiction and financial problems, which prevented a permanent role (Daily Express report).

The implication: Andy’s exclusion remains a source of what-if contemplation for fans.

How old were each of the Bee Gees when they died?

Ages at death for Maurice, Robin, Andy

Of the three deceased Gibb brothers, the ages vary widely—from Andy’s tragically young 30 to Robin’s 62.

• Maurice Gibb: 53 years, 21 days (died 12 January 2003) – cardiac arrest after surgery for an intestinal blockage (CBS News report)
• Robin Gibb: 62 years, 149 days (died 20 May 2012) – colorectal cancer (ABC News article)
• Andy Gibb: 30 years, 5 days (died 10 March 1988) – myocarditis (GuitarReviewed analysis)

The implication: The age gap highlights the different trajectories of the brothers’ lives.

Why didn’t Barry and Robin Gibb get along?

Sibling rivalry

The feud between Barry and Robin Gibb was one of the most persistent in pop music. According to UPI interview, the brothers started fighting after Andy’s death in 1988. Barry told UPI: “I think it’s very sad. It wasn’t good for our family, to lose Andy and then Mo.” He added that the family became scattered after Maurice’s death: “A shock like that either brings everybody together or scatters everybody, and in our family it scattered everyone.”

Creative differences

The conflict had roots in the early 1970s, when Robin wanted more lead vocals and Barry controlled production. ABC News article reported that after Maurice’s death the rift deepened. Barry admitted, “We’ve hardly spoken to each other for the past five years.” The two did not fully reconcile until the late 1990s, after Barry reached out during Maurice’s illness.

Reconciliation attempts

Barry and Robin performed together in 2001 at the Brit Awards and later discussed a new album. However, Robin’s cancer diagnosis in 2010 ended those plans. The Irish Independent feature noted that the brothers had mended their relationship before Robin’s death.

Timeline of Bee Gees deaths and key events

• 1949 – Birth of the three original Bee Gees: Barry (born 1 Sep), twins Robin and Maurice (born 22 Dec).
• 1958 – The Bee Gees form in Brisbane, Australia (ABC News article).
• 1977 – Saturday Night Fever soundtrack released; global disco phenomenon (UPI interview).
• 1988 – Andy Gibb dies from myocarditis at 30 (GuitarReviewed analysis).
• 2003 – Maurice Gibb dies from cardiac arrest at 53 (CBS News report).
• 2012 – Robin Gibb dies from colorectal cancer at 62 (ABC News article).
• 2023 – Barry Gibb, now 77, is the sole survivor and continues touring (Daily Express report).

For more on the disco era, see Olivia Newton-John: Death, Funeral, Net Worth & Last Words.

Clarity section: What we know and what’s uncertain

Confirmed facts

• Barry Gibb is alive, born 1946 (Daily Express report).
• Robin Gibb died from colorectal cancer (ABC News article).
• Maurice Gibb died from cardiac arrest (CBS News report).
• Andy Gibb was not an official Bee Gee (GuitarReviewed analysis).
• Barry and Robin Gibb had a long feud (UPI interview).

What’s unclear

• Robin Gibb’s exact last words (multiple unverified accounts) (ABC News article).
• Full details of Victoria Principal’s reasons for ending the relationship with Andy Gibb (Daily Express report).
• Whether any Bee Gee had an open marriage (attributed to Barry but not confirmed) (Daily Express report).
• The exact timeline of the Barry–Robin feud before 2003 (UPI interview).
• Does Barry Gibb regret the feud? Reports say he carries guilt (Daily Express report).
• The accuracy of the myocarditis diagnosis for Andy Gibb’s death is questioned by some sources (GuitarReviewed analysis).

Key quotes from the Gibb brothers

“A shock like that either brings everybody together or scatters everybody, and in our family it scattered everyone.”

– Barry Gibb, speaking to ABC News article after Maurice’s death

“I think it’s very sad. It wasn’t good for our family, to lose Andy and then Mo.”

– Barry Gibb, via UPI interview, reflecting on the sequence of deaths

Another legendary sibling group, ABBA, faced similar transitions. Read about Björn Ulvaeus: Memory Loss, New Wife, Net Worth & ABBA Story.

Summary: The weight of being the last Bee Gee

The Bee Gees’ story is one of immense talent and deep family fracture. Barry Gibb now carries the legacy alone, performing hits that were once a trio’s harmony. For the surviving brother, the choice is clear: keep the music alive, or let it fade with the memories of the siblings he lost. Barry has chosen to tour, but each concert is a quiet memorial to the three voices he can still hear in his head.

For a deeper look at each brother’s story, see this guide to the Gibb brothers fates and legacy.

Frequently asked questions