Bee Gees facts: Gibb brothers' wives, nationality, band name meaning and more revealed

15 April 2021, 18:10 | Updated: 8 February 2022, 16:59

The Bee Gees were one of the world's most successful groups of all time, but where were they from, who were they married to and why were they really called the Bee Gees?

Bee Gees Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb are renowned as one of the most successful singer-songwriting groups of the 20th century.

The brothers regularly changed their sound and remained hitmakers for themselves and other artists for decades.

See more: The greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked

But just as interesting are the stories behind the hits: who the Bee Gees were married to, how much they earned and where they were from.

Here are all the facts that you need to know about the brothers Gibb:

1. Where are the Bee Gees from?

   

   Bee Gee brothers Maurice, Robin and Barry Gibb were born on the Isle of Man to English parents, and lived in Chorlton, Manchester until the late 1950s.

   The family moved to Redcliffe, in Queensland, Australia. After achieving their first chart success in Australia, they returned to the UK in 1967.

   See more: Bee Gees first TV gig: Teenage Barry Gibb and 10 year olds Robin and Maurice sing in 1960

2. Why are they called the Bee Gees?

   

   Local Australian DJ Bill Gates (not that one) renamed the brothers' group to the BG's (later changed to 'Bee Gees') after his, speedway promoter Bill Goode and Barry Gibb's initials.

   See more: Barry Gibb facts: Bee Gees singer's age, wife, children and net worth revealed

   Thus, the name was not specifically a reference to 'Brothers Gibb', despite popular belief.

3. Which Bee Gees were twins?

   

   Robin and Maurice Gibb were twins. Barry Gibb is three years older.

   The trio had a younger brother, singer Andy Gibb, who they announced would become the fourth Bee Gee in 1988.

   See more: When Andy Gibb joined the Bee Gees for a rare phenomenal performance of 'You Should Be Dancing'

   Sadly the four brothers never officially united. Andy Gibb died just a few months later due to drug complications, aged just 30.

4. Which Bee Gees are still alive?

   

   Sadly, Maurice Gibb died at the age of 53 in 2003 due to complications of a twisted intestine.

   Robin Gibb died aged 62 in 2012 after being diagnosed with cancer.

   See more: Bee Gees' Barry Gibb emotionally speaks about losing his brothers: "I'm the last man standing"

   Barry Gibb is still performing, and was awarded a knighthood in 2017.

5. How many records have the Bee Gees sold?

   

   During their career, the Bee Gees scored 19 UK top 10 singles, including five number ones.

   See more: Private studio footage of Barry Gibb and the Bee Gees recording 'Tragedy' is phenomenal

   Among their many hits include 'Stayin' Alive', 'Night Fever', 'How Deep is Your Love', 'Tragedy', 'More than a Woman', 'Massachusetts', 'You Win Again' and 'Jive Talkin''.

   The Bee Gees have sold more than 220 million records worldwide.

6. What songs did the Bee Gees write for other artists?

   

   Barry Gibb and his brothers wrote hits for many other artists.

   See more: Barry Gibb and Michael Jackson's powerful forgotten duet 'All In Your Name' is spectacular

   These include 'Grease' by Frankie Valli from the movie of the same name, 'Woman in Love' by Barbra Streisand, 'Emotion' by Samantha Sang, 'If I Can't Have You' by Yvonne Elliman, 'Heartbreaker' by Dionne Warwick and 'Islands in the Stream' by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton.

   See more: When Barry Gibb and Olivia Newton-John sang 'Islands in the Stream' and it was glorious

7. Why did the Bee Gees sing in falsetto?

   

   Barry Gibb reveals why he performed the Bee Gees’ falsetto

   The Bee Gees didn't actually use their signature falsetto sound until their 1975 album 'Main Course'.

   See more: The Bee Gees' flawless harmonies during a live MTV performance in 1993 is a lost masterpiece

   They liked the sound so much that they kept it up, and it became one of the main reasons their 'Saturday Night Fever' album was so huge later that decade.

8. What is the Bee Gees' net worth?

   

   THE BEE GEES How Can You Mend A Broken Heart Trailer

   Barry Gibb is estimated to be worth around £71 million.

   See more: These are the top 20 richest singers in the world

9. Who were the Bee Gees married to?

   

   Maurice Gibb was married to singer Lulu from 1969 to 1975. He married his second wife, Yvonne Spenceley Gibb, later in 1975, and it lasted until his death.

   See more: Barry Gibb inviting Maurice's daughter on stage for duet of 'How Can You Mend a Broken Heart' is so moving

   Robin Gibb married secretary Molly Hullis in 1968, and they divorced in 1980. He later married artist Dwina Murphy.

   

   Barry Gibb was married to Maureen Bates from 1966 to 1970. Later that year, he married former Miss Edinburgh, Linda Gray. They are still together over fifty years later.

   See more: When Barry Gibb made rare appearance with wife Linda to sing 'Silent Night' with their kids on TV special

   

   Barry Gibb emotionally reflects on losing his brothers