May 31, 2013

On this last day of May, I’d like to end the monthly tribute to our beloved Robin from a fan whose devotion goes back more than 30 years. As Robin said, “What I do and what I have done all these years, it’s not a job; it’s my love.”  It’s clear that the fans from New York to Australia feel that love in every song he sang.

Marie’s words surely represent so many inspirational messages I have received.

MARIE

CHICAGO

Being a Bee Gees fan has been a part of me since I was a very young girl. When I was 10, the Bee Gees were young themselves and touring the U.S. for short periods of time. This was before the “Night Fever” crazy times. My older sister had both the Main Course and Mr. Natural albums, and I remember that the first song I heard Robin Gibb sing was “Come On Over”. Although songs like “Massachusetts” and “I Started a Joke” and a whole list of others were more famous at that point, for some reason, this particular song affected me in a dramatic way. I had such a crush on him and imagined seeing him sing to me some day. I first saw him perform in Chicago in 1975 and that was a dream come true. I felt like I was struck by lightening. His voice was so beautiful; and although my sister and I had watched him act funny and crazy on television (there were so many over the years, like Johnny Carson and Mike Douglas and then Phil Donahue) he seemed so serious when he was at the microphone. He fascinated me. I think that concert was the first night I knew I’d be a fan forever. Through the disco years and for several years afterwards, there was so much focus on Barry’s falsetto sound, and I loved all three brothers, but Robin had my heart. His voice was always with me, and he was part of my maturing years, my wedding, my divorce, the birth of my kids, my good and bad days. I could always listen to Robin and be happy. I was like all his fans, waiting for the new music, the next tour, his latest charity endeavors, his interviews. I think that Robin represents all that is good about a musician and performer because he loved his craft and was dedicated and kept trying to create the best for the fans. The loyalty of his fans around the world doesn’t surprise me a bit. He hit me between the eyes when I was a vulnerable little girl, and he still affects me the same way today.