Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Pre-order. Available 19 Sep 2024 book Soundtrack from Saturday Night Fever

 Saturday Night Fever is simultaneously one of the biggest-selling albums of all time and one of the most reviled. How can a record create such a polarizing reaction?

Australian writer Clinton Walker attempts to answer that question and finds that, among other things, a certain seemingly unlikely Australianness is part of the reason.

Fever
 was a supernova for disco, for the Bee Gees, for the domineering Robert Stigwood, producer of the film and its true auteur, and for the entire record business. This book traces all the interdependent convolutions that fed into the film and its music – not least the Australian roots that Stigwood and Gibb brothers shared, which gave them an Otherness and almost gormless, shape-shifting self-determination – and it finds that sometimes great art can be made by a committee ... that sometimes, five songs are enough to change the World

 

Table of Contents

Introduction: Brisbane, Me and the Bee Gees - and Robert Stigwood
1. Disco Opera
2. The Gumnut Mafia, Rocker Operas & the New Film Musical
3. Miami Nice
4. Hollywood Now
5. Supernova
6. Death to Disco, Death to Record Business, Kill the Bee Gees
Endnotes
Selected Bibliography
 Index
 
 https://beegeesfanfever.blogspot.com/
 

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Eight Stamps Issued by Isle of Man Post Office to Celebrate the Life and Career of Maurice Gibb CBE

 Date: Tuesday 27th February 2024
Eight Stamps Issued by Isle of Man Post Office to
Celebrate the Life and Career of
Maurice Gibb CB

 On Thursday 29th February, the life and career of Maurice Gibb CBE, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer will be celebrated by Isle of Man Post Office (IOMPO) with a set of eight postage stamps  featuring images from one of the most accomplished and sought-after music photographers in the world, Guido Karp.


For only the second time in their 50 year history, IOMPO will issue a postal tribute on the 29th February. This makes the First Day Cover a rare collectible with its first day of issue stamp marked for 29.02.2024.


Maurice Gibb CBE, who sadly passed away in 2003, was born on 22nd December 1949 in Douglas on the Isle of Man, as the younger fraternal twin to Robin Gibb and younger brother to Sir Barry Gibb, with whom he founded one of the most successful pop-rock groups of all time, the BeeGee Maurice Gibb CBE played a pivotal role in the group's success as a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. His intricate keyboard work and harmoniescontributed significantly to the Bee Gees' distinctive sound.

 Maurice,with his affable demeanour, was the glue that bound the trio. The BeeGees' unparalleled success in the disco era, marked by hits like "Stayin'Alive" and "How Deep Is Your Love," solidified their status as music legends, forever etching Maurice's legacy in musical history..

 Outside the Bee Gees, Maurice Gibb showcased versatility in his musical career. He collaborated with diverse artists, produced albums for others, and even pursued solo projects.

 Maurice's contributions extended beyond performance, revealing his prowess as a songwriter and producer, making a lasting impact on the industry beyond the iconic Bee Gees sound.


The image of Guido Karp with the stamps at the Hollywood Walk of fame (c) Gerd Lud.

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 Adam Gibb with stamp


In accordance with the families’ wishes, the stamps will support and help to raise awareness for Nordoff Robbins, a charity dedicated to investigating the impact that music therapy can have for those affected by life–limiting illness,isolation or disability

His son, Adam Gibb, said: “My dad has always been very proud of his Manx roots and it is an honour that his life and career are now commemorated with this wonderful set of stamps.

 I’m sure he would be delighted with the collection and we are grateful that the collection will support Nordoff Robbins, a charity that was very close to my dad and his brothers.”
Guido Karp, photographer said: “I loved working with them and we had a real bond. Their kindness and music made a huge impression on me. I captured my last photo with the band in 2001. Losing Maurice was such a blow to the world.

The Bee Gees hold a special place for me both professionally and personally. Maurice’s untimely death in 2003 left behind a
legacy of much loved music and memories and I am honoured to see my images reproduced in this postal tribute.”

 

 Explaining the decision for the tribute to Maurice Gibb, Maxine Cannon, General Manager of Isle of Man Stamps &Coins said: “It is a great pleasure to pay tribute to Maurice Gibb CBE. 

Guido Karp’s stunning images, recording engineer John Merchant’s insights and working closely with the family and Adam in particular, has made this postal tribute a very enjoyable experience.

 We are very grateful for all the support we have received and very proud of the final results.”
The images on the stamps and additional products were captured by world renowned music photographer Guido Karp during the 1991 ‘High Civilization World Tour’, which was the Bee Gees’ tenth concert tour in support of their nineteenth studi

 Karp has also contributed to the issue text along with recording engineer John Merchant, who worked with the Bee Gees on a number of their hit albums, including ‘High Civilisation’.


The collection will be available as Set, Sheet Set, Presentation Pack (limited to 2500) and First Day Cover (limited to
3000). Additional products available to purchase include a First Day Cover signed by Guido Karp, self-adhesive set, a
self-adhesive First Day Cover, a Sheetlet, a limited edition Imperforate Sheetlet (1000) as well as a Collectors Pack,
combining First Day Cover, Presentation Pack and the regular Sheetlet. The collection is available to view at  Link stamps

 Guido Karp – Photographer: With over 1000 album and music CD covers to his name featuring Sting,
Robbie Williams, Tina Turner, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Elton John and, of course, the Bee Gees,
Guido Karp has established himself as one of the most accomplished and sought-after music photographers in the world.
John Merchant – Recording Engineer: John earned a degree in Music Engineering from the University ofMiami in 1989. While still in school, he began working as an intern at Middle Ear Studios on South Beach,owned by Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees, where he advanced from assistant to Chief Engine.


 


https://beegeesfanfever.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

Friday, December 15, 2023

Barry Gibb, Queen Latifah, And More Receive 2023 Kennedy Center Honors

Sir Barry Gibb, Dionne Warwick, Queen Latifah, celebrated soprano Renée Fleming, and Billy Crystal were celebrated at the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, December 3.

With President and First Lady Biden both in attendance, the event featured host and 2017 honoree Gloria Estefan, as well as Michael Bublé, Dove Cameron, Ariana DeBose, Robert De Niro, Sheila E, Missy Elliott, Cynthia Erivo, Whoopi Goldberg, Gladys Knight, Jay Leno, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Rita Moreno, Ego Nwodim, Rob Reiner, Meg Ryan, and Kerry Washington.

“It’s very emotional; there’s something going on in the air, and you just feel it,” Barry Gibb said of feeling the presence of late brothers Robin, Maurice, and Andy Gibb during the event.