- Dennis Bryon passes away at 76
- Second Bee Gees member dies
- Barry Gibb pays tribute
On November 14, 2023, Dennis Bryon passed away in Nashville at the age of 76. He was widely recognized as the drummer for the Bee Gees, among other musical projects.
His death came just days after the passing of Colin 'Smiley' Petersen (†78), also a drummer for the Bee Gees. Petersen passed away only four days prior to Bryon.
Both men were key contributors to the Bee Gees’ sound, and their loss leaves a significant void in music history.
Dennis Bryon's musical legacy
Dennis Bryon played an instrumental role in the Bee Gees' most creative years. He contributed to iconic albums such as 'Mr. Natural' (1974) and 'Main Course' (1975), as well as the legendary 'Saturday Night Fever' soundtrack. His influence on the Bee Gees' music, particularly the chart-topping hits, remains undeniable.
Bryon himself once explained that he joined the Bee Gees through lead guitarist Alan Kendall. "In 1972, after Amen Corner disbanded, I was living in an apartment in London. In the same apartment lived a guitarist called Alan Kendall," Bryon recalled, according to the 'Daily Mail'. His connection with Kendall led to a successful career with the Bee Gees, propelling him to the top of the music charts.
Barry Gibb mourns the loss of his colleagues
Bee Gees icon Barry Gibb shared his grief over the loss of his former bandmates via Facebook: "Last week I lost two of the finest drummers I've ever known, Dennis Bryon and Colin Petersen. This is a terrible shock and I send all of my prayers to their immediate families. I will miss them both dearly. I’d like to think that there’s a giant jam session going on in heaven and they need Colin and Dennis’s rhythmic talents."
He continued, "Colin was a famous child actor in Australia before becoming our drummer in the early years of the group. Dennis joined us at the time of Mr. Natural, Saturday Night Fever, Children of the World, and Spirits Having Flown. I’m sure all my brothers are waiting for you both to join in on the jam session. I know it will be amazing, I can hear it now. I love you both."
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