When Barry Gibb was joined on-screen by late Robin Gibb for emotional duet of Bee Gees' 'I Started A Joke'

2 February 2024, 11:07 | Updated: 2 February 2024, 11:26

The incredible moment happened during Barry Gibb's Mythology Tour in 2013, just months after Robin Gibb's death from cancer.

After the loss of Barry Gibb's beloved brother Robin Gibb the year before, and following Maurice in 2003 and Andy in 1988, the final standing member of the Bee Gees, was seriously considering retirement.

But the eldest Gibb battled through his personal grief to pay the ultimate tribute to his brothers with his first-ever solo tour, Mythology, an emotional series of concerts that would see him go on the road without Robin or Maurice.

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The worldwide tour saw Barry Gibb play to crowds in London, Sydney, Los Angeles, Dublin and Chicago, and fans would witness Barry regularly perform his each of his brother's signature songs.

Yet the fact that Robin had only passed away the year before, and both he and Barry had a somewhat fractured relationship before his death, it was the performance of 'I Started A Joke' that felt particularly poignant.

Mythology (named after the Bee Gees compilation box set) marked the first time Barry would tour without at least one of his brothers there to support him.

As it turned out, his brothers would be there in more than just spirit...

Robin Gibb & Barry Gibb " I Started A Joke" @The PHONES4U Arena in Manchester,on 29 September 2013

Infused with the familial bond that the Bee Gees were renowned for, Gibb's backing band saw his son Stephen play the guitar and his niece Samantha (Maurice's daughter) also sing.

Now back on home soil for the UK leg of the Mythology Tour, a stunned crowd got to experience Barry singing Robin's trademark track for the very first time.

Performing in Manchester's AO Arena (known as the Phones 4u Arena at the time), the 21,000-strong crowd roared as they heard him strike the opening chords to Robin's beloved 1968 ballad.

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Despite the emotion wrapped into the rendition, Barry smiles throughout, beaming with pride as he relays his brother's words to so many eager onlookers.

The moment that truly awed everyone within the stadium however, was when Robin appeared on the screen behind to sing the second verse as though he was joining in from the heavens.

Of course, it was a recorded version, but more significantly, Barry got another chance to sing with his late brother Robin.

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The real reason behind the Mythology Tour was so Barry could pay tribute to Robin, Maurice, and Andy Gibb in the way they'd want. With music.

At the time Barry recalled: "In so many of my dreams now, I see my brothers. I see Robin a lot, presently."

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"I see his expressions. Maurice and Andy, too, but less than Robin. He and I, we were as close as we could be within those circumstances."

He proved the connection was still strong between his Bee Gees brothers, and the most heartfelt manner in which he could impart that message was via song.

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Anyone that hears 'I Started A Joke' to this day still feel connected to Robin after all these years. No less than his youngest son Robin-John 'RJ' Gibb.

After his father died on 20th May 2012, RJ played the song from his phone in a beautiful moment of reflection and serenity in the face of death.

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Talking to The Sun months after Robin's passing, RJ said: "When he passed away we went out, they took the equipment away and we came back in, I picked up my phone and found 'I Started a Joke' on YouTube and played it."

"I put the phone on his chest and that was the first time I broke down. I knew that song and its lyrics were perfect for that moment. That song will always have new meaning to me now."

The song has taken on new meaning, and we can't think of any tribute more fitting than that of Robin's big brother Barry.