Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen, the former drummer of the Bee Gees, has passed away at the age of 78. The news was shared on the official Best of the Bee Gees Facebook page on November 18, though the cause of death and the specific time of passing were not revealed.
The heartfelt announcement on the page began with a tribute: “It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our dear friend Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen.” The message expressed how much Petersen had meant to the group, describing him as someone who brought love, care, and respect, and how they would miss his warm smile and deep friendship.
Petersen was an integral member of the Bee Gees during their early years, contributing to four albums and hits like “Massachusetts,” “To Love Somebody,” and “Words.” He joined the band when the Gibb brothers relocated to London in 1966. With his passing, he joins Robin, who died in 2012, and Maurice, who passed in 2003.
The passing of Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen marks the loss of a key member of the Bee Gees’ early days
Barry Gibb, now 78, remains the last surviving member of the original group. Another former drummer, Dennis Bryon, who played with the Bee Gees from 1974 to 1980, also passed away on November 14, 2024.
Petersen was born Frederick Colin Petersen in Queensland, Australia, and attended school with the Gibb brothers, though not at the same time. He left school early to star in the 1956 Australian film Smiley, which led to his nickname. Afterward, he connected with the Gibb brothers, who were all set to move from Sydney to London.
In 1966, he followed the brothers to England, initially hoping to continue his career in film. However, his path took a turn when the Bee Gees invited him to become their fourth member, along with guitarist Vince Melouney. Petersen played with the group from 1967 to 1969, contributing to their growing international success.
Petersen’s drumming played a key role in shaping the Bee Gees’ signature sound. In a 2022 interview on The Strange Brew Podcast, he explained his approach: “I wasn’t the most technically skilled drummer, but I think sometimes less is more. When you’re limited, you have to get creative—just like Chuck Berry, who made magic with just a few chords. For me, it was always about serving the song.”
He also noted how the group would often enter the studio without a fully formed song, allowing him the freedom to experiment with different rhythms and tempos, creating a spontaneous, collaborative energy in their music.
In 1969, Petersen left the Bee Gees and formed the band Humpy Bong with Jonathan Kelly, another former Bee Gees member. The band lasted until 1970, after which Petersen worked as Kelly’s manager during the early 1970s. Petersen married Joanne Newfield in 1968, and they had two sons, Jamie and Ben, before relocating to Sydney in 1974.
Later in life, Petersen participated in The Best of the Bee Gees tribute show. In a 2022 interview, he shared that he had initially been hesitant to join, but after seeing the band perform, he was impressed by their authenticity and the close harmonies that reminded him of the original Bee Gees. He is survived by his ex-wife Joanne and their sons, Jaime and Ben.
