robingibb

In 2003 Robin Gibb released his first solo album in 18 years. On February 3, 2003 “Magnet” was released. Robin did many media appearances to promote the new album. Including a live acoustic performance for Radio Hamburg. The album entered the top 40 in Britain and the Top 10 in Germany. The single “Please” hit #23 in the UK charts. Also in 2003 Robin was one of the judges on the BBC talent contest “Fame Academy”. During the season the show had a Bee Gees themed broadcast, a CD of the broadcast was issued. Robin gave a master class to the students. A DVD of the series was released. And Robin performed a duet with the runner-up, Alistair Griffin, from the contest. The song, “My Lover’s Prayer” reached #5 in the UK charts.
To be continued…..

Today I would like to share a little personal news. As you may or may not know I have been writing since my early teens (I’m 49 now). I am an author of two books, “Defend God’s Word” and “Gifts From God”.  Some of my work has appeared in newspapers, anthologies and on my websites.

I found out today that one of my stories has been accepted to be on a new online publication.

Check it out at “The Litchfield Literary Review”!
http://www.thelitchfieldliteraryreview.com/
They have printed one of my works “Can You Ever Go Home Again?”
When you go to the site click on November 2008: in this issue
Go down to essays and you will find my piece listed, click on it. First there is a short bio, then a picture, then my essay.
Thanks,
Donna

In 2003 Robin and Barry felt the heartache of losing a loved one again. When they lost their brother and friend. Their songwriting and singing partner. The sudden death of Maurice Gibb on January 12, 2003 left a hole in the music world that no one can fill. And a hole in Barry and Robin’s hearts that can never be filled.

Maurice was admitted to Mount Sinai Medical Centre in Miami Beach Florida after collapsing at his Miami Beach home with intense stomach pains on Wednesday, January 8th. At 4am Thursday morning he suffered a cardiac arrest. Doctors performed emergency abdominal surgery for an intestinal blockage on Thursday. The family had been told that Maurice’s intestines were twisted due to an congenital defect and that they had removed 80 percent of his stomach during surgery. After surgery Maurice was listed in critical but stable condition for three days before his death. An autopsy, by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office, stated that Maurice Gibb died after a portion of his small intestine became twisted back on itself, shutting off its blood supply and flooding his system with toxins. Mr. Gibb’s intestinal problem was congenital. The family raised questions about the decision of doctors to perform surgery after Maurice had suffered cardiac arrest and if his death could have been prevented. A private funeral ceremony was held at Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapel in Miami Beach on Wednesday, January 15. Followed by a cremation service. Maurice Gibb’s ashes were buried on his property in the Bahamas.

To be continued…..

On October 8, 2008 Robin Gibb delivered the keynote speech on the opening day of the Popkomm Conference in Berlin. The Popkomm is a three day event that includes an international music and entertainment business trade fair, a conference and live music festival. Robin is president of the CISAC (the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers). In his speech he represented the position of authors and composers from around the world. He also spoke about the recent EU decision against the collecting societies. On July 16 the EU (European Union Commission) made a ruling on the “anti-competitive” practices of European performance rights societies. Robin explains about the EU decision and how in actuality the decision does more harm than good to authors and composers.

Robin Gibb has been keeping very busy lately.
An afternoon tea was held on September 14 in the gardens of Robin and Dwina’s home in Thame to raise money for the Bomber Command Memorial Fund. There were two flyover air displays where a Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft performed heart stopping acrobatic acts. And the Falcons Paratrooper team took peoples breathe away with their parachute display. Jill Daniels, known as Britain’s No 1 singer of WWII songs, appeared singing 1940 songs. Robin joined her for two of the songs, “We’ll Meet Again” and “The White Cliffs Of Dover”. Robin also gave a moving speech about the Bomber Command Memorial. Over 300 people enjoyed the day including Robin and Dwina’s son Robin-John. Celebrities such as long time Gibb friend Susan George and her husband Simon MacCorkindale. And Paddy, Robin’s Irish Wolfhound, wondered around meeting and greeting fans and friends alike!
Also in Robin news……Sky Big L, 1395am, a radio station in Essex, England aired the first of a two part special interview with Robin Gibb this past Sunday (October 5). Part 2 will air this coming Sunday, October 12 at 6pm. In the two part special Robin speaks about his life and music, including some of the Bee Gees classics and his latest single “Alan Freeman Days”. Which this week stands at number 17 on the Big L Fab 40. You can also listen to the interview on line at www.bigl.co.uk

Saturday My daughters and I did some sightseeing around Miami Beach for the last time. Sunday we boarded the plane for the trip home. We had a dream vacation to last a life time. All the fun we had at the Miami Seaquarium, the Miami Metrozoo, the Bayside Marketplace and just exploring the beautiful Miami Beach area. And our meeting with Robin, Maurice and Barry Gibb! They gave us memories to last a lifetime. I could never imagine celebrities being so kind to their fans. They were more than willing to spend time with us and talk to us. They made us feel special. In a world where everyone seems to be for themselves. The Bee Gees really care about others. And they let it show. This was a dream vacation that I am so glad I was able to share with my two daughters. They mean the world to me. And I just wish I could have afforded to do more special things like this with them as they were growing up. I just hope they know they are my world! Karen and Crystal, I love you with all my heart!
I hope you enjoyed my meeting with the Bee Gees!

Robin Gibb’s home in Miami Beach!

On Friday we went back to the Bee Gees studios one last time. We wanted to see if we could be lucky enough to meet them again before we left for home on Sunday. The only one who came in this day was Maurice Gibb. When he saw us he came up and talked to us. He thanked us again for the hat we had given him. I wanted in the worst way to ask him for a hug. But I was too scared to ask him. I thanked him for the time he had spent with us. For being kind enough to let us take pictures and sign autographs for us. I told him that we would be going home on Sunday. At which point Maurice Gibb turned to me and said “Thank you, Love”. Then gave me a hug! I couldn’t believe it! Maurice Gibb had called me ‘Love’ and given me a hug! That was one of the high points of the trip for me. And I was lucky enough that one of my daughters got a picture of it. The Bee Gees gave us a beautiful memory to look back on for years to come. And I can’t thank Robin, Maurice and Barry enough for their kindness.

To be continued…..

On Thursday my daughters and I spent the day sightseeing at the Bayside Marketplace. The Marketplace is located in downtown Miami, right on the waters edge. You can find just about everything you could want here. They have loads of stores including clothing, toy, jewelry, electronics and specialty stores. There was also a huge Disney Store that we spent quite a while exploring! When hungrey there were many restaurants to choose from including the Hard Rock Cafe. And there are boat tours you can take that will show you points of interest on the Miami and Miami Beach coastline. Including homes of some of the celebrities who live in the Miami area; such as Robin, Barry and Maurice Gibb. There was two men at the marketplace with some parrots. You could have your picture taken with the colorful birds. We wondered around enjoying the shops and the beautiful water scenery for the day.
To be continued…..