In 1960, Channel Nine saw enough singing potential in three young brothers from Brisbane to fly them to Sydney for a live national television appearance.
Two years earlier, the Gibb family emigrated from England, settling at Redcliffe in Brisbane’s north. By 1960, 13-year-old Barry and 10-year-old twins Maurice and Robin were entertaining crowds at Redcliffe Speedway, which led to an introduction to radio announcer Bill Gates who was popular on Brisbane’s 4BH. These days, as a high-rating classic hits station, 4BH still plays many Bee Gees hits from over the decades.
It was Bill Gates who gave them the name BGs as a nod to Bill Goode, the speedway promoter who let the boys keep any money that crowds threw onto the track for them. ‘BGs’ was later changed to ‘Bee Gees’. Although the BGs name is not specifically a reference to ‘Brothers Gibb’, it is sometimes understood that way.
Thanks to Bill Gates’ exposure of the talented trio, they received an invitation to appear on the TCN-9 television show Desmond and the Channel 9 Pins (under the variety block Strictly for Moderns), hosted by Desmond Tester. For their first TV appearance, on 18 August 1960, the BGs performed an original song penned by Barry, Time is Passing By:
Over the next few years, the BGs began working regularly at resorts on the Queensland coast. Through his songwriting, Barry sparked the interest of Australian star Col Joye, who helped the brothers get a recording deal in 1963 with Festival Records subsidiary Leedon Records under the name ‘Bee Gees’.
Their first single was The Battle of the Blue and the Grey, released in 1963.
The Battle of the Blue and the Grey entered the Australian singles chart* on 18 May 1963 and peaked at #98.
Songwriter: Barry Gibb
Producer: Col Joye
Record label of Australian release: Leedon
After their first TV performance in Sydney in 1960, the Bee Gees returned to the same studio numerous times to appear on Brian Henderson’s Bandstand. See our story: Bandstand: 15 years of Australian pop music
Da Do Ron Ron and Sweets For My Sweet:
Bee Gees songs on Bang a Gong:
First of May
How Can You Mend a Broken Heart
I Started a Joke
I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You
Lonely Days
Massachusetts
My World
New York Mining Disaster 1941
Run to Me
Spicks and Specks
Stayin’ Alive
To Love Somebody
Warm Ride
Words
World
Also, by Robin Gibb: Saved by the Bell
*Kent Music Report / Australian Chart Book. See About.
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