Barry Gibb Official Facebook Message
Last week I lost two of the finest drummers I’ve ever known, Dennis Bryon and Colin Petersen. This is a terrible shock and I send all of my prayers to their immediate families. I will miss them both dearly. I’d like to think that there’s a giant jam session going on in heaven and they need Colin and Dennis’s rhythmic talents.
Colin was a famous child actor in Australia before becoming our drummer in the early years of the group. Dennis joined us at the time of Mr. Natural, Saturday Night Fever, Children of the World, and Spirits Having Flown. I’m sure all my brothers are waiting for you both to join in on the jam session. I know it will be amazing, I can hear it now. I love you both.
Barry
PRESS RELEASE
The Best of The Bee Gees announces the passing of our friend and legend, Colin “Smiley” Petersen
Colin drumming during one of the Best of the Bee Gees shows. Photographer credit: John Elliott
It is with the heaviest of hearts that the Best of the Bee Gees Show announces the passing of our legend, Colin “Smiley” Petersen on Monday 18 November, 2024.
Colin was a much loved ‘family’ member of the troupe, holding our audiences spellbound with his stories of the lead role in the iconic Australian film “Smiley”, as the drummer in the original Bee Gees, and performing with the Best of the Bee Gees regularly for the last five years.
Manager Greg Shaw says “I’ve known Colin for thirty-four years and was thrilled when he agreed to bring his career full circle by joining the Best of the Bee Gees. His endearing nature and unabashed storytelling added unique perspectives to the shows and he was loved on and off stage. It was an honour to have called him my friend.”
Friend and colleague Evan Webster says “Our lives were enriched the moment Colin joined our troupe.
We shared years of laughs and music travelling around the country. He was such a fine gentleman and lived among us with grace and honour. He will be remembered forever.”
Our deepest thoughts are with Joanne and Colin’s sons Jaime and Ben at this incredibly sad time.
ENDS
COLIN “SMILEY” PETERSEN
Child protégé and original Bee Gees drummer, Colin “Smiley” Petersen appeared exclusively with The Best of the Bee Gees on tour.
The 4th official member of the band, Colin drove the evolution of the super group on stage and in the studio through 4 albums playing on #1 singles – Massachusetts, To Love Somebody, New York Mining Disaster, I Started a Joke, Gotta Get a Message to You and so much more.
The Gibb brothers regarded his contribution as essential to their sound and global success.
Colin said: “It’s wonderful that these incredible songs live on through the Best of the Bee Gees and I am thrilled to add another dimension by sharing my memories.”
Special Note: As a child actor, Colin had appeared in three international films with the legends of the day by the time he was a teenager. The lead character in the iconic 1956 Australian film “Smiley”, alongside Chips Rafferty, Sir Ralph Richardson and John MacCallum, and in the United Kingdom The Scamp (1957) with Sir Richard Attenborough and A Cry From the Streets (1958) with Max Bygraves and Dana Wilson.