The Bee Gees were on the boat back to England when they found out that their single 'Spicks and Specks' had reached #1 on the Australian charts. Overjoyed, the brothers returned to England with hope that they would be what they always wanted to be- superstars. They moved into a house in London, where they received a phone call from a Mr. "Stickweed", asking them to come to an audition. Mr. "Stickweed", was in fact Robert Stigwood, who worked with the Beatles' manager Brian Epstein. Barry, Robin and Maurice attended the audition and were given a five-year contract. Colin Peterson, a friend from Australia, became the group's drummer, and Stigwood became the group's manager. About a month later, Australian lead guitarist Vince Melouney joined the band. Coming soon: Reunited!
The Bee Gees were ready to conquer London!
The Bee Gees went away and began recording their first single since arriving in London, and the result was 'New York Mining Disaster 1941'. the lyrics to the song had been inspired by the 1966 Aberfan disaster in Wales, but the group decided to give it a fictional name. They released a new album- 'Bee Gees 1st', which included songs such as 'To Love Somebody', 'New York Mining Disaster', and 'I Can't See Nobody', the better known songs from the album. In 1968, the boys scored their first UK #1 hit with 'Massachusetts', the highlight of the 'Horizontal' album.
'Idea' was also released that year, and it was the first and only album to feature a song not written by the Gibb brothers. 'Such A Shame' was written and performed by Vince Melouney, who wa planning to quit the Bee Gees at the end of the year. By this time Barry Gibb's marriage to Australian sweetheart Maureen Bates had fallen apart, Maurice and pop star Lulu wed at 'The Showbiz Wedding of the Year' and Robin married receptionist Molly Hullis. The boys were just beginning their own lives. Maurice was going out drinking regularly with his friends, and spending money like crazy.
1969 saw a big dispute over which single was to be released as the A-side. Was it to be 'First of May' with Barry on lead, or 'Lamplight' with Robin on lead. In the end Stigwood chose 'First of May', which made Robin very angry, because he thought that Barry was the favourite. The Gibbs were falling victim to 'First Fame', and before they had finished recording 'Odessa', Robin quit the group to pursue a solo career.
After Robin's departure, the three remaining Bee Gees began filming a movie called 'Cucumber Castle'. Three soon whittled down to two when Colin Peterson was fired after apparently complaining about not having a bigger part to play. Barry and Maurice tried to keep the Bee Gees going as a duet, but without Robin they had no joy.
It seemed as if the Bee Gees were history.