Andy Gibb

Andrew Roy Gibb was born in Manchester, England, to Hugh and Barbara Gibb on March 5, 1958. His family emigrated to Australia, settling in Redcliffe, Queensland.

Gibb embarked on a successful solo career in Australia in 1975 and releasing his first single 'Words and music' which eventually reached the top five on the Sydney music charts in 1976.

In the United States, Gibb became the first male solo artist to chart three consecutive number one singles on the Billboard Top 10.

In July of 1977, he had his first major hit, 'I just want to be your everything', a song written by his brother Barry, just as his first album Flowing Rivers broke into the U.S. top 20, on its way to selling over a million copies. The album's second single '(Love is) thicker than water' broke in early 1978 amidst the commercial explosion caused by his brothers' contributions to the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, replacing 'Stayin' alive' at the top of the US charts.

Gibb began work on his second album Shadow dancing, releasing the the title track in April 1978, which reached number one. 'An everlasting love' and '(Our love) don't throw it all away' from the same album were also top ten hits.

In 1979 Gibb returned to the studio to begin recording sessions for his final full studio album, After dark. In March of 1980, the last of Gibb's top ten singles charted just ahead of the album's release. 'Desire', was recorded for the Bee Gees' 1979 album Spirits Having Flown, and featured their original track with Gibb's lead vocal dubbed in. A second single, 'I can't help it', a duet with Olivia Newton-John, reached the top twenty. Later in the year, Andy Gibb's Greatest Hits was released with two new songs: 'Time is time' and 'Me (without you)' which was Gibb's last top forty chart entry.

Following that Gibb played various roles in Broadway productions and presented some TV shows. However, as Gibb's drug use intensified, he was unable to commit to regular performances and tapings, and was eventually removed from each of these endeavours. After seeking treatment for his drug addiction at the Betty Ford Clinic in the mid-1980s, Gibb toured small venues with a stage show of his greatest hits and covers, and appeared in guest-starring roles on several television situation comedies and game shows. In 1987, Gibb was forced to declare bankruptcy.

Determined to revive his recording career, Gibb returned to work alongside brothers Barry and Maurice. They produced a series of demo recordings, which would eventually secure him a contract with the U.K. branch of Island Records. He travelled to England to fulfil the label's request for more songs, moving into brother Robin's estate in Oxfordshire. He turned to drinking heavily, and fell ill.

On March 7, 1988, Andy was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford complaining of stomach pains. Three days later, on the morning of March ten, 1988, Andy Gibb died at the age 30 of myocarditis.

Links:
http://www.andygibb.net/