In a grim turn of events, two drummers for The Bee Gees have died within less than a week. Dennis Bryon, who played on many of the group’s biggest hits, passed away at the age of 76 on November 14th. Just days later, earlier drummer Colin “Smiley” Petersen died at 78 years old on November 18th.
According to The New York Times, former Bee Gees member Blue Weaver first announced Bryon’s death on Facebook this past Thursday. The two musicians were also in the UK bands Amen Corner and Fair Weather together.
Born in Cardiff, Wales on April 14th, 1949, Bryon started drumming as a teenager and found success in the UK with Amen Corner before joining the Bee Gees in 1973 — just as the band was about to go disco.
Some of the group’s hits featuring Bryon’s percussion include “Stayin’ Alive,” “Night Fever,” “More Than a Woman,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” and “You Should Be Dancing.”
Bryon is survived by his wife, Kayte Strong.
Meanwhile, The Times notes that Petersen died from a fall, according to Evan Webster and Sue Camilleri, fellow members of a tribute band called The Best of the Bee Gees Show.
Born in Queensland, Australia, Petersen was a child actor in the 1956 British film Smiley. He would reconnect with the Gibb brothers several years later and become The Bee Gees’ first professional drummer.
During Petersen’s tenure in the band from 1967 to 1969, he played on hit ballads like “To Love Somebody,” “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You,” and “I Started a Joke.” After leaving The Bee Gees, he formed a group called Humpy Bong with Irish singer Jonathan Kelly.
Petersen is survived by his ex-wife, Joanne, and their sons, Jaime and Ben.
The Bee Gees were formed in Australia by Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb in the late 1950s. Barry Gibb is the last surviving Gibb brother after Maurice died in 2003 and Robin died in 2012.