Colin Petersen, First Drummer of the Bee Gees, Passes Away at 78

Colin Petersen, the first drummer for the legendary Bee Gees, passed away on November 18 at the age of 78. The news was announced on the Facebook page Best of the Bee Gees on Monday, expressing heartfelt condolences:

“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend, Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen. He enriched our lives and bonded the group with love, care, and respect. We don’t know how to move forward without his radiant smile and profound friendship. We love you, Colin. Rest in peace.”

Born in 1946 in Australia, Petersen first gained fame as a child actor, starring in the 1956 Anglo-American comedy Smiley and other films. However, his family disapproved of his acting career, prompting him to return to Australia to complete his studies. In Redcliffe, Queensland, Petersen attended the same school as Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, the founding members of the Bee Gees. It was during this time that Petersen’s passion for music flourished, and he began playing drums for the Bee Gees in Australia before officially joining the band in England in 1966.

Petersen contributed to four of the band’s albums and played on iconic tracks like Massachusetts, To Love Somebody, and Words. Reflecting on his drumming style, Petersen said in a 2022 interview with The Strange Brew Podcast:

“I wasn’t the most technically skilled drummer, but sometimes less is more. Limitations force creativity—just like Chuck Berry created magic with a few chords. For me, it was always about serving the song.”

Petersen parted ways with the Bee Gees in 1969. He later teamed up with former Bee Gees member Jonathan Kelly to form the band Humpy Bong, which was active until 1970. Following its disbandment, Petersen managed Kelly’s solo career in the early 1970s.

More recently, Petersen worked with The Best of the Bee Gees tribute show, sharing personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories from his time with the band. In a 2022 interview with The Fassifern Guardian, he admitted to initial hesitation about participating but was ultimately drawn back by the music and the performers’ admiration for the Bee Gees.

Petersen married Joanne Newfield in 1968, and they had two sons, Jamie (born 1971) and Ben (born 1976). The family returned to Sydney, Australia, in 1974, where they settled.

With Petersen’s passing, the Bee Gees lose yet another link to their storied legacy. Maurice Gibb died in 2003 at 53, and Robin Gibb passed away in 2012 at 62. Dennis Bryon, who played drums for the band from 1974 to 1980, also passed away just days before Petersen, on November 14, 2024.