October 29, 2019

I am remiss. I am apologetic. I am in academic and writing quicksand. I am overwhelmed on several fronts.

As anyone who knows me or follows this site can easily see, I have not posted in a few months. Usually, I am on top of letters, emails, messages of any kind, and I am happy to respond and post. Actually, it’s what makes me happiest.

The reality is that I have been so busy with book editing, tweaking, having-nightmares-about and generally worrying about the final product for the fans and the Gibbs, that this site has suffered. The process of bringing a vision to life in the form of a novel that honors the Gibb brothers is a slow and painstaking slog through writing hell.

I am also working at my real job, which is teaching at Syracuse University, and my students and their determination to succeed are  major considerations and challenge me on a daily basis. I am lucky to work in a wonderful environment in an outstanding university, and it’s a priority.

My post today is not about any of the above, although my pity party that I share with my own mind every moment of every day continues. My post today is about how OVERWHELMED I am at the fans and especially recent events, and I’d like to address this.

My dear Marion, who everyone knows, lovingly has dedicated decades of her life to the Bee Gee website (GSI) that fans worldwide read and cherish. I have been lucky enough to write for this website and consider it an honor. Marion’s recent journey to England from Amhem, Holland and especially to R.J. Gibb’s Bloomsbury Ballroom event was another spectacular display of love for the Gibb brothers. How fans come together to honor these men is truly a mind-numbing display of love.

What amazes me most is that people arrived from other parts of the world to be in London and share this special time. To see The Italian Bee Gees, The Egiziano brothers, and their fellow musicians on stage with RJ, was wonderful. To see Anja and Detlef Wange at this event was wonderful. No matter the health challenges or distance, they made it, and a beloved memory was made.

I recall the Italian brothers and their entire team visiting the Wange family when the Italian Bee Gees were on the road in the spring. This is what loving the Gibb music is all about, reaching out to dedicated fans who have spent most of their lives supporting the Bee Gees and showing appreciation for them.

Visiting Prebenal House in Thame conjures up visions of Robin at home at his beloved estate. Seeing Marion with Dwina and the other musicians there must have made Robin smile, and I know he was there in spirit, in every note that was played on the piano and every step that was taken on the grounds. It was his sanctuary, and many of his beautiful compositions were written there.

As I hear from fans who are part of the many groups around the world, the devotion to the music is obvious. Whether it’s Bee Gees Italy, the Barry Gibb site, GSI or one of the many others from Argentina to Israel, the common thread is the music. No matter how many stories I read or how many times someone tells me about how the music has inspired them, I am still surprised.

I know that Barry and his family must feel the love at every turn, and he appreciates the fans more than anyone could imagine. He gets overwhelmed just like the fans do, just like I do, at the constant and steadfast display of dedication to the Gibb music.

Overwhelmed is a powerful word, but it’s the only one that fits the love that’s been shared in London and Thame these past weeks. I am fortunate to know this music, to meet these fans, to see the smiles and joy in the photos on all the supportive fan sites. I know it will continue forever because the music is that lovely and a memorable piece of Barry, Robin and Maurice that will always be there to share and experience.

We Bee Gee fans are so fortunate, and I am eternally thankful.