The Story of The Bee Gees

Children of the World

Bob Stanley

A dazzling biography of one of the bestselling bands of all time, told with brilliant insight by renowned pop music scholar Bob Stanley.

The world is full of Bee Gees fans. Yet for a band of such renown, little is known about Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb.

People tend to have their favorite era of the Bee Gees's career, but many listeners are also conscious that there is more to uncover about the band. This book will provide the perfect solution, by pulling together every fascinating strand to tell the story of a group with the imagination of the Beatles, the pop craft of ABBA, the drama of Fleetwood Mac, and the emotional heft of the Beach Boys.

Uniquely, the Bee Gees's tale spans the entire modern pop era—they are the only group to have scored British top-ten singles in the '60s, '70s, '80s, and ‘90s—and includes world-conquering disco successes like 'Stayin' Alive' and 'More Than a Woman', both from the soundtrack of the hit film Saturday Night Fever.

But the Bee Gees's extraordinary career was one of highs and lows. From a vicious but temporary split in 1969 to several unreleased albums, disastrous TV and film appearances, and a demoralising cabaret season, the group weren't always revelling in the glow of million-selling albums, private jets, and UNICEF concerts. Yet, even in the Gibbs' darkest times, their music was rarely out of the charts, as sung by the likes of Al Green, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, and Destiny's Child.

Capturing the human story at the heart of the Bee Gees, this book is a lyrical and stylish read, delighting hardcore fans with its details while engaging casual pop readers who simply want to know more about this important and enigmatic group.

Bob Stanley, the author of the acclaimed Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!: The Story of Pop Music from Bill Haley to Beyoncé, has worked as a music journalist, DJ, and record-label owner, and is the cofounder and keyboard player for the band Saint Etienne. He lives in London.

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Endorsements & Reviews

“Stanley is a wonderful guide . . . showing us gems of their vast catalogue with enthusiasm, insight and wit.” The Telegraph

“A loving vindication of the band. Alert to the comedy of pop star existence but also tells a deeply melancholy tale.” The Times (London)

“The author and musician’s engaging biography of the Gibb brothers explores their idiosyncrasies as well as musical brilliance. Stanley is a highly articulate proponent of pop. Here's a summer project for pop fans: read this book, then listen to the music.” The Guardian

Praise for Bob Stanley:

"Finally, the definitive biography of the Bee Gees. Bob Stanley tells one of the most extraordinary stories in the history of pop, epic and mythical, with tales of heart-stopping joy and sadness. Children of the World does full justice to the Gibb brothers' extraordinary musical legacy. I pretty much inhaled it in one sitting.” Pete Paphides, journalist and broadcaster

"The Bee Gees are my all-time favourite band. Perhaps I love them that fraction more than any other artist because I don't think their genius—or their flat-out weirdness—has ever been fully appreciated. But they are here: meticulously researched, endlessly entertaining, written with both love and a cool critical eye. Children of the World wins again and again.” Alex Petridis, head rock and pop critic for The Guardian

Praise for Let’s Do It:

"For those who wish to enjoy a compelling musical mystery tour of the first half of the twentieth century—written with insight, thoroughly researched stories, and compelling opinions—Let’s Do It is well worth the trip. It’s a deep-dive into an era I love and know well, and in devouring this tome I learned a thing or two along the way!” Michael Feinstein, author of The Gershwins and Me and the founder of the Great American Songbook Foundation

“An encyclopedic introduction to the fascinating and often forgotten creators of Anglo-American hit music in the first half of the twentieth century.” Neil Tennant, Pet Shop Boys

"Totally delicious and [full of] why-didn’t-I-think-of-that connections. We’re incredibly lucky to have this detailed map.” David Kirby, The Wall Street Journal

"An immensely entertaining pop-music survey course. Engagingly opinionated and often very, very funny. Joyful, smart, and addictive, just like the best pop songs, and a must for music fans everywhere.” - Booklist (starred)

"Bob Stanley loves and finds surprising connections between a thousand kinds of pop. He makes me want to run to the nearest record store and move in.” Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields

"Tells the story of American and British pop music almost as engagingly as the songs themselves." - Glenn Gamboa, Newsday

"An ambitious undertaking. Stanley’s bold positions connect pop’s many dots in fresh and fascinating patterns." Christian Science Monitor