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Robin Gibb: Bee Gees singer's funeral held in Thame | |
(39 minutes later) | |
The funeral of Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb has been held in his home town in Oxfordshire. | The funeral of Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb has been held in his home town in Oxfordshire. |
Hundreds of fans lined the streets of Thame earlier as a lone bagpiper led a procession through the town. | |
Gibb's body was carried in a horse-drawn carriage, followed by two Irish wolfhounds and guests, including his brother Barry and broadcaster Paul Gambaccini. | |
Gibb died from kidney failure in May. He had battled cancer and pneumonia. | Gibb died from kidney failure in May. He had battled cancer and pneumonia. |
The horse-drawn carriage passed through the town prior to a private church service attended by his family and close friends being held. | The horse-drawn carriage passed through the town prior to a private church service attended by his family and close friends being held. |
'Beautiful heart' | |
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. |
Barry Gibb, the only surviving member of the Bee Gees trio, told the congregation in St Mary's Church: "Life is too short. In Robin's case, absolutely too short. | |
"We should have had 20 years, 30 years of his magnificent mind and his beautiful heart." | |
Referring to the large turn-out for the funeral procession and service, he said: "So many people loved this boy, so many illustrious people are here that loved him. And that is such a pleasure to witness. | |
"The three of us have seen a lot of crowds but I've never seen so much love in one crowd as I'm looking at today - for Rob, you know, for the music. And it's an intense experience for me." | |
Other guests at the service included musician Peter Andre and actor Leslie Phillips. | Other guests at the service included musician Peter Andre and actor Leslie Phillips. |
The track Don't Cry Alone, which was one of Gibb's final compositions from his Titanic Requiem - premiered only weeks before his death - was played at the service. | |
Best-selling soundtrack | |
Radio presenter Henry Wymbs, who has known the Gibb family for a number of years as Robin's wife Dwina was a fan of his Irish Eye programme, said: "Part of my youth died with him because he created so many of the songs I loved. | Radio presenter Henry Wymbs, who has known the Gibb family for a number of years as Robin's wife Dwina was a fan of his Irish Eye programme, 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." |
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." | 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." |
Bee Gees fan Jill Horton, who had travelled to Thame from Buckingham, said: "We're big fans, the whole family, right through to my four-year-old granddaughter. | Bee Gees fan Jill Horton, who had 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. | "It was their music that was just so special. |
"He was 62 and I'm 61 so I've grown up in that era." | "He was 62 and I'm 61 so I've grown up in that era." |
Gibb's musical career began when he formed the Bee Gees with brothers Barry and Maurice in 1958. | Gibb's musical career began when he formed the Bee Gees with brothers Barry and Maurice in 1958. |
The group is among the biggest-selling acts of all time, with hits including Stayin' Alive, How Deep Is Your Love, Massachusetts and Night Fever. | The group is among the biggest-selling acts of all time, with hits 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 of all time. | Their 1977 soundtrack to the film Saturday Night Fever sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling movie soundtrack of all time. |