The Bee Gee spoke of the accident that happened when he was just two years old.
Barry Gibb, the creative force behind 16 chart-topping singles, played a pivotal role in shaping the soundscape of 20th-century music. As one-third of the legendary Bee Gees alongside his brothers Robin and Maurice, Barry rose to international fame during the 1960s and 1970s. The group’s success reached new heights with Barry’s iconic contribution to the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack in 1978—an album that became a defining moment in pop culture history.
Beyond the Bee Gees, Barry Gibb’s songwriting brilliance has touched a wide array of artists. His impressive portfolio includes timeless hits such as “Chain Reaction” for Diana Ross, “Islands in the Stream” for Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, “Woman in Love” for Barbra Streisand, “Heartbreaker” for Dionne Warwick, “Grease” for Frankie Valli, and even “Emotion” for Destiny’s Child. His ability to craft unforgettable melodies and lyrics has earned him a place among music’s greatest composers.
Yet, according to Barry, part of his deep musical intuition may have stemmed from a life-altering event in his early childhood. Born in 1946 in Douglas, Isle of Man, Barry grew up at 50 St Catherine’s Drive, the son of drummer Hugh Gibb and Barbara Gibb. At just 18 months old, he suffered a severe accident that nearly claimed his life.
After pulling a teapot of scalding water onto himself, Barry sustained serious burns and was rushed to the hospital. “I had about 20 minutes to live,” he later told CBS News. He remained hospitalized for two years, followed by another two years of silence, not speaking a single word.
In a candid interview, Barry recalled the limitations of medical treatment in the 1940s, which led to complications like gangrene during his recovery. “Skin grafts and advanced treatments weren’t available back then,” he explained. “It was a terrible burn. But the most remarkable thing is—I have no memory of those two years. The physical scars remain, but the experience itself is a blank.”
The ordeal left a lasting mark on his personality. Barry described himself as a quiet, introverted child, and although he eventually overcame his shyness, he admits he remains deeply sensitive to this day. In a 2013 interview with The Mail on Sunday, he said: “I cry easily. Whether it’s a sad movie or an emotional moment, I’m always affected. I keep a towel on my lap when I watch TV.”
Reflecting on a recent return to Australia—the first time without his brothers—Barry shared how a clip of their earliest TV appearance moved him to tears. “I just broke down. I couldn’t stop myself. That’s who I am—I’m emotionally wired.
”Barry Gibb’s journey from a childhood trauma survivor to a musical icon is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the enduring power of emotion in art.