Introduction:
Tonight, at the historic Players Theatre in Thame, Oxfordshire, Dwina Gibb—writer, artist, historian, filmmaker, and widow of Bee Gees legend Robin Gibb—steps into a rare spotlight. In conversation with BBC Radio 2’s Paul Gambaccini, she will reflect on her extraordinary life with Robin, share stories from decades of music history, and offer a glimpse into the project that has consumed her heart for years: Robin’s unfinished autobiography.
The event sold out long ago. Understandably so. Dwina rarely speaks publicly, and when she does, she carries with her the wit, memory, and gentle wisdom of a woman who lived beside one of the most distinctive voices in popular music.
Staying Alive — and Staying Inspired
One of her chosen songs for the program is the Bee Gees’ pulsating anthem “Stayin’ Alive.”
Her love for it began long before she met Robin—back in her ballroom-dancing days.
She remembers practicing a Viennese waltz in a mirrored studio when she was abruptly moved to another room so students could learn the newly exploding Saturday Night Fever dance routines. Mild irritation quickly melted into admiration once she heard the soundtrack.
“I loved the music—absolutely loved it,” she says.
She laughs as she recalls one of the song’s most unexpected legacies: the rhythm of “Stayin’ Alive” matches the ideal tempo for CPR. Medical foundations later confirmed the beat has helped save lives. “It’s extraordinary,” she remarks. “People have literally come back to life to that song.”
Life With Robin: Music, Love, and a Voice Like an Angel
Tonight’s conversation will be guided by Paul Gambaccini, whose encyclopedic music knowledge impresses even Dwina. She remembers the day Gambaccini, alongside lyricist Tim Rice, visited Robin in intensive care. “Robin truly appreciated that,” she says quietly. “It meant a lot.”
Even now, speaking of Robin brings a tenderness to her voice.
“When he sang at night, playing the keyboards, I’d fall asleep and wake again to what felt like the voice of an angel,” she says. “He was so gifted. And all those early Bee Gees hits—so many of them were Robin’s lead.”
She notes how transformative the 1970s became when producer Arif Mardin helped usher in Barry Gibb’s falsetto sound. “It brought them into a whole new decade,” she says. “A new chapter in music.”
The Early Days: Three Brothers and a Broken Record
The story of the Bee Gees, Dwina reminds us, began far earlier—back in the late 1950s in Manchester.
As children, Barry, Robin, and Maurice performed in cinemas, busking and miming along to records. One day, they accidentally broke their record—but sang anyway. The audience still tossed coins.
“It’s how they discovered they didn’t need anything except their own voices,” she smiles.
Lonely Days, Broken Hearts — and Coming Back Together
Another of her chosen songs is “Lonely Days,” written during a brief period when the brothers had separated professionally. The reconciliation produced two classics: “Lonely Days” and “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?”
“The songs reflect that time of being apart,” she says. “Their own lonely days.”
An Exhibition, A Bicycle, and Robin’s Mischievous Humor
Dwina recently curated a major exhibition on Robin’s life, featuring one of his most cherished possessions: a custom-made Harley-Davidson bicycle he rode around Miami. Fans eventually discovered his route, forcing him to pedal later and later at night to avoid being followed. One night, a young police officer unfamiliar with the neighborhood stopped him, suspecting he was “casing” houses.
“He didn’t recognize Robin at all,” Dwina laughs. “Robin had his cap on, glasses, shorts… not exactly Bee Gee attire.”
She recalls another story from Robin’s childhood—one that revealed both innocence and unintended mischief. For Mother’s Day, the young brothers proudly carried home a large floral wreath from a nearby cemetery, not realizing it came from a grave. Their mother, Barbara, discreetly returned it later.
“They weren’t joking,” Dwina says. “They were just little boys wanting to bring her something.”
Robin’s Autobiography: A Voice Returning After 10 Years
For years, Dwina has been transcribing hours of recorded interviews Robin made for his autobiography. It has been a long, emotional journey.
“At first I couldn’t bear to hear the tapes,” she admits. “It took ten years before I could truly listen.”
Now, she finds comfort—and laughter—in his spoken recollections. “He was so funny,” she says. “There’s so much humor in the book.”
A Life Remembered, A Legacy Renewed
As tonight’s event approaches, Dwina remains humble, reflective, and deeply proud of the man she married and the extraordinary life they shared.
“Some people are taken too early,” she says. “But perhaps they completed what they came here to learn. And look at the legacy Robin left behind. It’s brilliant.”
The conversation at the Players Theatre promises memories, music, surprises, and the unmistakable spirit of a man whose voice still echoes across decades.
And as the program ends—fittingly—with “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?”—one can imagine Robin smiling somewhere, proud of the woman who keeps his story alive.