Colin “Smiley” Petersen, the Bee Gees’ first official drummer, passed away on November 18, 2024, at the age of 78. The cause of death was a fall, as reported by several sources.
Petersen, born in Australia, was a significant contributor to the Bee Gees’ early success, playing on six out of their first seven albums from 1967 to 1969.
The musician was born on March 24, 1946, in Kingaroy, Queensland, Australia. He garnered his nickname “Smiley” from his role in the 1956 film “Smiley.” His early acting career also included parts in “A Cry from the Streets” (1958) and “Strange Affection” (1957).
At the age of 20, Petersen moved to London, joining Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, and guitarist Vince Melouney to form the Bee Gees. His drumming can be heard on iconic albums like “Spicks and Specks” (1966), “Bee Gees’ 1st” (1967), “Horizontal” (1968), “Idea” (1968), “Odessa” (1969), and “Cucumber Castle” (1970).
During his time with the band, Petersen played on various well-known songs such as “New York Mining Disaster 1941,” “To Love Somebody,” “Holiday,” “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You,” and “I Started a Joke.”
Petersen’s departure from the Bee Gees in 1970 was due to disagreements with the band’s manager, Robert Stigwood. Stigwood had previously praised Petersen as “very level-headed” and “a very sophisticated person” with “a good appreciation of good food and wines.”
After leaving the Bee Gees, Petersen formed the band Humpy Bong and later started a management company with his wife, Joanne Newfield. The couple had two sons, Jaime and Ben. In 1974, they moved back to Australia, where Petersen began a career as a painter.
In his later years, Petersen stayed connected to music by playing with the Best of the Bee Gees tribute band. His death occurred just four days after the death of Dennis Bryon, another former Bee Gees drummer.
Barry Gibb is now the only remaining member of the original Bee Gees lineup, following the deaths of his brothers Maurice in 2003 and Robin in 2012. Their younger brother Andy passed away in 1988 at the age of 30.
