Andy Gibb

Andy Gibb was born on March 5, 1958 in Stretford, Lancashire, England, as the youngest of five children of Hugh Gibb, a railway engineer and musician, and Barbara Gibb (née Helliwell), a former singer. He had four siblings: his sister, Lesley Evans; and three brothers—Barry, Robin and Maurice—who formed the pop group the Bee Gees. He spent his early childhood in Manchester and later moved with his family to Australia in 1958. He showed an interest in music from a young age and learned to play guitar and piano. Andy Gibb began his musical career as a solo artist in Australia, where he performed at various clubs and pubs. He also joined several bands, such as Zenta, Melody Fayre and Tin Tin. He recorded his first single, "Words and Music", in 1975 and sent a copy to his brother Barry, who was impressed by his talent and offered to help him launch his career in the US. He signed with RSO Records, the same label as the Bee Gees, and released his debut album Flowing Rivers in 1977. The album spawned two number-one hits: "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" and "(Love Is) Thicker Than Water", both co-written by Barry. He became an instant star and a teen idol, earning the nickname "the Fourth Bee Gee". Andy Gibb continued his success with his second album Shadow Dancing in 1978, which featured another number-one hit with the title track, also co-written by Barry. He also collaborated with other artists, such as Olivia Newton-John on "Rest Your Love on Me" and Barbra Streisand on "Guilty" and "What Kind of Fool". He also ventured into acting, appearing in the TV musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1982) and hosting the music show Solid Gold (1981-1982). However, Andy Gibb's career began to decline in the early 1980s due to his drug addiction, personal problems and changing musical tastes. He struggled with cocaine abuse, depression and financial difficulties. He also had several failed relationships, including with actress Victoria Principal and singer Marie Osmond. His third album After Dark (1980) failed to match his previous success and he was dropped by RSO Records in 1982. He attempted several comebacks in the mid-1980s, but none of them materialized. He also faced legal issues with his ex-wife Kim Reeder over child support payments for their daughter Peta. Andy Gibb died on March 10, 1988 at the age of 30 from myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle caused by a viral infection that was exacerbated by his years of drug use. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California. He was widely mourned as a talented singer-songwriter who had a promising career cut short by tragedy.