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Bee Gee Robin Gibb's funeral to take place in Thame Bee Gee Robin Gibb's funeral to take place in Thame
(about 1 hour later)
The funeral of Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb is to be held later in his home town in Oxfordshire.The funeral of Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb is to be held later in his home town in Oxfordshire.
Fans are expected to line the streets of Thame to pay their respects as his body is taken in a horse-drawn carriage to his funeral. Fans have begun to line the streets of Thame to pay their respects as his body is taken in a horse-drawn carriage to his funeral.
Gibb, who was born in the Isle of Man, died from kidney failure in May after suffering from cancer and pneumonia.Gibb, who was born in the Isle of Man, died from kidney failure in May after suffering from cancer and pneumonia.
The horse-drawn carriage will travel through the town at about 13:30 BST before a private church service.The horse-drawn carriage will travel through the town at about 13:30 BST before a private church service.
Gibb's son Robin-John said the Bee Gees hit I Started A Joke would be played at the church.Gibb's son Robin-John said the Bee Gees hit I Started A Joke would be played at the church.
The track Don't Cry Alone, which is one of Gibb's final compositions from his Titanic Requiem - premiered only weeks before his death - will also be played.The track Don't Cry Alone, which is one of Gibb's final compositions from his Titanic Requiem - premiered only weeks before his death - will also be played.
The song features the opening lines: "If your heart is breaking, I'm yours whatever, I will not forsake you ever, don't cry alone."The song features the opening lines: "If your heart is breaking, I'm yours whatever, I will not forsake you ever, don't cry alone."
'Very genuine man'
His family said his wish was to say a "final goodbye" to fans and the town.His family said his wish was to say a "final goodbye" to fans and the town.
Radio presenter Henry Wymbs has known the Gibb family for a number of years as Robin's wife Dwina was a fan of his Irish Eye programme.Radio presenter Henry Wymbs has known the Gibb family for a number of years as Robin's wife Dwina was a fan of his Irish Eye programme.
'Very genuine man'
Mr Wymbs said: "Part of my youth died with him because he created so many of the songs I loved.Mr Wymbs said: "Part of my youth died with him because he created so many of the songs I loved.
"He was humble, down to earth, a very genuine man who wasn't affected by fame or wealth."He was humble, down to earth, a very genuine man who wasn't affected by fame or wealth.
"Apparently he had really become a part of the community in Thame and I can believe that because he was such a nice man.""Apparently he had really become a part of the community in Thame and I can believe that because he was such a nice man."
The carriage will leave from Priests End and travel along the High Street to the town hall. Mayor of Thame, Nigel Champken-Woods said: "He did switch the Christmas lights on a few years ago and he was happy to sign autographs and talk to people.
It will then return through the High Street to St Mary's Church. "Despite the weather I think we'll have quite a good turnout for people to pay their last respects to somebody who was well-known in the town."
Following Gibb's death, stars of the music industry led the tributes to the singer. Bee Gees fan Jill Horton, who has travelled to Thame from Buckingham, said: "We're big fans, the whole family, right through to my four-year-old granddaughter. It was their music that was just so special.
Beatle Ringo Starr said: "The legacy they'll leave behind is Staying Alive, the harmonies and just the songs that they've written." "He was 62 and I'm 61 so I've grown up in that era."
Richard Jones, 62, who travelled to Thame from Birmingham, said: "I met him 18 months ago when he was making a documentary about Bomber Command.
"We both had a ride in a Lancaster and then he spoke to me for 15 to 20 minutes. He didn't try to fob me off, he was a total gentleman. His songs have been the soundtrack to my life."
Best-selling soundtrackBest-selling soundtrack
Sir Cliff Richard said: "The legacy will be what The Bee Gees did, which was stunningly good stuff, right on a par with The Beatles." Sonia Chittenden, 62, who has been a fan of Robin Gibb since she was 16, said: "I first mobbed him on stage at the Royal Albert Hall in London and I got thrown out."
She later waited for him at Heathrow Airport where she got his autograph and has been to every concert in the UK.
Gibb also invited her back to his house for a coffee after she met him outside a recording studio in London.
Gibb's musical career began when he formed the Bee Gees with his brothers Barry and Maurice in 1958.Gibb's musical career began when he formed the Bee Gees with his brothers Barry and Maurice in 1958.
The group is among the biggest-selling groups of all time, with hits spanning six decades including Stayin' Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Massachusetts and Night Fever.The group is among the biggest-selling groups of all time, with hits spanning six decades including Stayin' Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Massachusetts and Night Fever.
They made almost 30 albums and sold more than 110 million records.They made almost 30 albums and sold more than 110 million records.
Their 1977 soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling movie soundtrack ever.Their 1977 soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling movie soundtrack ever.
Robin Gibb's twin brother Maurice died in 2003 due to complications from a twisted intestine.
The brothers' younger sibling, Andy, died of a heart attack in 1988 at the age of 30, following drink and drug problems.