Frederick Colin Petersen, the original Bee Gees drummer has passed away. He was 78-years old.
Known professionally as Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen, the Australian musician, who played on such classics as ‘Massachusetts,’ ‘To Love Somebody’ and ‘Words,’ was a member of the Bee Gees from 1967 to 1969 when he left the group after becoming disillusioned with their manager – a situation that subsequently ended in arguments and lawsuits.
Peterson’s passing was confirmed to the Brisbane Times by his band The Best of the Bee Gees, with whom he performed his former group’s hits.
In a statement about their former band mate, the group wrote “It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our dear friend Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen.” “He enriched our lives and bound our group with love, care and respect. We love you Col. Rest in peace.”
Frederick was married to Joanne Petersen, the former personal assistant to the Beatles manager Brian Epstein, whom she found dead of a drug overdose in his London flat in 1967.
As coincidence would have, Petersen’s passing comes 96 hours after the death of a later Bee Gees drummer, Dennis Bryon, who became a member of The Bee Gees in 1973 along with brothers Barry, the late Robin and the late Maurice Gibb.
Throughout his career with the iconic Australian brothers, Bryon played drums on nine #1 singles, including ‘Jive Talkin’,’ ‘You Should Be Dancin’,’ ‘How Deep Is Your Love,’ ‘Stayin’ Alive’ and ‘Night Fever.’
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Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Atco Records – Public Domain