Colin Peterson, best known as the OG Bee Gees drummer on tracks like I Started a Joke, To Love Somebody, and I Just Gotta Get a Message to You, has passed away at age 78. He stayed with the Bee Gees from 1967 to 1969 but ultimately decided to part ways following a dispute with manager Robert Stigwood.
As reported by Deadline, his death was confirmed in a Facebook post by his current band, Best of The Bee Gees, on Monday, November 18. However, the details surrounding his cause of death remain unknown. The caption, accompanied by an image of the late musician, read:
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"It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our dear friend Colin 'Smiley' Petersen. He enriched our lives and bound our group with love, care and respect. Not sure how we can go on without his glowing smile and deep friendship. We love you Col. Rest in Peace."
Why did Colin Peterson leave the Bee Gees? Late singer once said he was "lucky" to be a part of it
Colin Peterson, nicknamed Smiley, joined brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice to form the popular band in 1966. All four had just come to London from Australia, and he held roles on albums like Bee Gees' 1st, Horizontal, Idea, Odessa, and Cucumber Castle.
He was considered an equal in the group, and the brothers regarded his work as imperative to their music. Reportedly, Peterson eventually began asking questions about the Bee Gees' manager, Robert Stigwood, as the latter served as their employer and held the ownership of all recordings.
He was then forced to leave in August 1969. Allegedly, he was let go for not showing any interest in the group, ditching his recording sessions, and for his refusal to act in the television film Cucumber Castle that the group was making at the time.
As mentioned in an October 2021 article by News, he reflected on his short stint with the band:
"It all fell apart in the end, but we got on extremely well for three years, so I look back and think how lucky I am."
He went on:
"I really was a part of the creation of something that people are holding in their heart."
After he left the group, Colin Peterson went on to form his own band, Humpy Bong, with singer-songwriter Jonathan Kelly and Tim Staffell. However, the group had a short run before disbanding.
Colin Peterson and his wife, Joanna Newfield, made their foray into entrepreneurship by starting their own management company in 1969. The two had two sons, Jaime and Ben.
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