Original Bee Gees star passes away aged 78
Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen has passed away aged 78.
News of his death was posted on the official Facebook page of tribute band Best of the Bee Gees.
“It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our dear friend Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen,” they began.
“He enriched our lives and bound our group with love, care and respect.
“Not sure how we can go on without his glowing smile and deep friendship. We love you Col. Rest in Peace.”
Petersen who was one of the original members of Australian band Bee Gees was born in Kingaroy, Queensland, has been credited for contributing to the band's rise to global superstardom.
He was the band's first drummer and performed some of their most beloved songs including Massachusetts, To Love Somebody and Words.
Petersen attended the same school in Redcliffe, Queensland as bandmates and brothers Barry Robin and Maurice Gibb, where he first developed an interest in music.
After graduating, Petersen moved to the UK to break into the film industry, before he joined the Bee Gees in the 60's becoming the first non-Gibb brother to join the group.
“There was an understanding that when the Gibbs’ arrived in England, that if the film thing didn’t work out, I’d join their band,” Petersen told Geelong Independent in 2022.
“So I became the fourth Bee Gee, and that was obviously a big turning point in my life.”
He left the band after the first phase of their career, just before they reached peak stardom in the '70s disco era, due to conflicts with the group's then-manager Robert Stigwood.
Petersen moved back to Australia with his family in 1974, and in 2019 he joined the tribute group Best of the Bee Gees.
His death comes after Maurice's sudden death in 2003, which prompted the Bee Gees to retire after 45 years.
Robin later died in 2012 aged 62, leaving Barry, Vince Melouney and Geoff Bridgford as the last surviving members of the group.
Petersen is survived by his ex-wife Joanne Newfield and their sons Jaime, born in 1971, and Ben, born in 1976.
Image: Everett Collection/ Shutterstock Editorial