Known as the 'Kings of Disco', The Bee Gees have sold over 120 million records worldwide. Their trademark harmonies were performed by brothers Barry Gibb CBE (b. 1946) and twins Robin Gibb CBE (1949–2012) and Maurice Gibb CBE (1949–2003). They emigrated from the UK to Australia in 1958, settling in Redcliffe, north of Brisbane. Playing gigs at Redcliffe Speedway and along the Gold Coast, they attracted the attention of radio DJ Bill Gates and Col Joye, who helped them get a record deal. After several singles, in 1965 they released their first LP. Their 1966 single 'Spicks and Specks' reached number one just as the band left to seek its fortune in London. In 1977 their soundtrack album for Saturday Night Fever would become the largest-selling movie soundtrack in history. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, The Bee Gees gradually ceased to exist with the sudden deaths of Maurice in 2003 and Robin in 2012. Barry Gibb remains one of the most successful songwriters of all time.
This photograph captures The Bee Gees practising in a luxurious apartment in Kings Cross, while on their sell-out, one-week Australian tour in July 1971. It is part of a series taken in the inner-city suburb by photographer Rennie Ellis over a six-month period from 1970 to 1971.
Purchased 2021
© Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive
The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the
Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a
Reproduction request. For further information please contact
NPG Copyright.
