Tuesday, July 17, 2012

For Whom The Bell Tolls


“For Whom the Bell Tolls” is the title of a Bee Gee song that I had never heard until last night. My husband and I watched “Bee Gees: In Our Own Time” on Netflix and were simply and completely blown away. The documentary was filmed in 2010. Maurice Gibb died in 2003. In April this year Robin Gibb died as well. This left me to think of Barry Gibb and how he must feel, living without his hands and feet. Did it make it any easier having almost ten years between the two losses? After watching this informative and entertaining film, I was left with a profound sense of grief. So deep I can’t tell whether it’s just in empathy with the last remaining member of their group and brotherhood, or if their story has somehow tapped into some unknown grief of my own. Maybe it’s both but whatever it is, I could barely sleep last night, can hardly focus today and I NEED to be writing.  http://vimeo.com/40976233


 
 So I’m writing this to see if that will help purge some of this emotion that has me on a rollercoaster ride. I wish I could hug Barry Gibb, tell him I’m so sorry he has lost all of his younger brothers, his partners in life and music. Thank goodness he has five kids and a family who loves him. Still, after seeing what I saw in the documentary I can’t imagine what he is feeling: after seeing how incredibly linked the three older brothers were, how Barry probably doesn’t have any memories before his younger twin siblings arrived in his life. How do you live your entire life professionally and personally with brothers who have such close bonds with you and then lose both of them? After that, how do you cope? With family of course by his side I know. Still…

I know he is thankful for all that he and his brothers lived, dreamed and made together. I’m sure he is aware of knowing his brothers are always with him, but also knowing he is “alone” without them here to help shape their common music, voices, and their dreams. http://beegees.com/
So this is a tribute to The Brothers Gibb and all they gave the world and their fans. Here is a wish to Barry Gibb and his family, and to Robin and Maurice’s families that they find solace in the legacy the Bee Gee’s left to us all. For me, right now, there is no question about for whom the bell tolls. It rings loud and clear for Maurice, Robin, and Andy. I hope it waits awhile for you, Barry. Thank you Bee Gee’s. You have been a part of my life I am grateful to have had. Maybe that’s where my grief is finding purchase. It’s just so hard to say good-bye.

Photos from:
duduki.net
 last.fm
 batanga.com
 ibtimes.com

2 comments:

  1. "... or if their story has somehow tapped into some unknown grief of my own. Maybe it’s both but whatever it is, I could barely sleep last night, can hardly focus today and I NEED to be writing."

    You and I are too alike! I feel emotional over the craziest stuff these days, whether it be Bee Gees or the Dying Young movie that we watched tonight. Is it tapping into some unknown grief as you suggest? Absolutely... its figuring out what that unknown grief is that's the challenge!!!!

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  2. I don't know how old you are Steve, but do you think it's age catching up with us/me? It's strange, I have so much to be thankful for I don't really want to chase down what that unknown grief is, and yet I feel it's important, and, it helps me write!

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