The world of music is grieving the loss of Dennis Bryon and Colin “Smiley” Petersen, two ex-drummers from the Bee Gees. Their deaths occurred within a four-day span in November 2024.
Dennis Bryon, originally named Dennis Ronald Bryon, was born on April 14, 1949, in Cardiff, Wales. He died on November 14, 2024, at the age of 75 in Nashville, Tennessee. He started playing drums at the age of 14 and later gained fame with the Amen Corner band before becoming a member of the Bee Gees in 1973. Bryon’s drumming greatly contributed to the Bee Gees’ disco tracks in the 1970s, such as “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” and “You Should Be Dancing.”
Bryon stayed with the band until 1980 and later co-produced Robin Gibb’s 1983 album, “How Old Are You?” In his later life, Bryon lived in Nashville and is survived by his wife, Kayte.
Colin Petersen, originally named Frederick Colin Petersen, was born on March 24, 1946, in Kingaroy, Queensland, Australia. He passed away in his sleep on November 18, 2024, at the age of 78. Prior to his music career, Petersen was a child actor and notably starred in the 1956 film “Smiley,” from where he got his lifelong nickname.
In 1966, Petersen joined the Bee Gees as the first drummer and the first official band member who wasn’t a Gibb brother. He contributed to several early Bee Gees hits, such as “Massachusetts,” “To Love Somebody,” and “Words.”
Petersen left the Bee Gees in 1969 due to disagreements with management. He later formed the band Humpy Bong. In recent times, he performed with the Best of the Bee Gees tribute show. He is survived by his two sons, Jaime and Ben.
The Bee Gees, established in 1958 by brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, are considered one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 200 million records sold globally. Throughout several decades, they accomplished numerous awards and significantly influenced the music industry.
The band achieved nine number-one songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with classics like “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” and “How Deep Is Your Love.”
Their work on the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack was particularly remarkable. The album has sold over 40 million copies worldwide and has become one of the top-selling soundtracks ever.
In the UK, the Bee Gees had five number-one singles and 19 top-ten hits. Their influence went beyond their own performances, as they also wrote and produced successful songs for other artists, further securing their legacy in the music industry.
The Bee Gees’ ability to adjust to evolving music trends, especially their crucial role during the disco era, demonstrates their flexibility and enduring charm. Their harmonious vocals and inventive songwriting have made a lasting impact on popular music, inspiring countless artists and continuing to engage fans around the world.
The deaths of Petersen and Bryon represent a significant moment in the history of the band, as both drummers played crucial roles during different periods of the group’s evolution.