Andy Gibb – Biography, Daughter, Wife, what happened to him, how did he die?

Andy Gibb was an English-born singer, songwriter, performer and all-round music star. He rose to fame in the 1970s when several of his hit songs reached the top 10 on the music charts in the United States and Australia. Between July 1977 and July 1978, the music superstar made history by becoming the first male solo act to have 3 consecutive Hot 100 hits.

Born into a family of highly talented musicians, Gibb’s older brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice form the Grammy Award-winning musical trio ‘Bee Gees’. They therefore provided him with valuable assistance throughout his solo career.

However, Gibb’s success as an international star musician was marred by his personal issues of drug addiction and clinical depression and sadly his life came to an untimely end on March 10, 1988, just days after he turned 30.

Biography of Andy Gibb

Andy Gibb was born Andrew Roy Gibb in Manchester, England on March 5, 1958. His mother Barbara (née Pass) was a singer and his father Hugh Gibb was a drummer. He was raised alongside a sister named Lesley and three brothers, Barry, Robin and Maurice.

Growing up, Gibb’s parents moved several times and he spent part of his childhood in Brisbane, Australia; Ibiza, Spain as well as the Isle of Man. As described by his mother, Andy Gibb was a bit rebellious as a child as he found every opportunity to miss school. However, it was revealed that the young child did not like going to school because he was often victimized by his classmates due to the fame of his older brothers. He finally left school at the age of 13 and chose to find solace in music.

Armed with an acoustic guitar donated by sonAndy Gibb started playing in tourist clubs in Ibiza. When his family moved to the Isle of Man, he formed his first band, Melody Fayre, alongside guitarist John Alderson and drummer John Stringer. The group was led by Gibb’s mother, who recorded regular bookings at clubs and hotels on the island. The band moved to Australia in 1974 hoping to record and produce their own music.

However, their alliance didn’t last too long. Alderson and Stringer returned to the UK, leaving Gibb behind in Australia. Subsequently, Gibb joined another band ‘Zenta’ alongside guitarist Rick Alford, bassist Paddy Lelliot, fellow vocalist Glen Greenhalgh and drummer Trevor Norton. He achieved a certain level of success with the band but didn’t stay with them for too long.

In early 1976 Andy Gibb signed as a solo artist for RSO Records, owned by Robert Stigwood. As a result, he moved to Miami, Florida, where he began working on his first studio album. The album Rivers was released in September 1977 and features hits such as “I Just Wanna Be Your Everything” and “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water”, both of which peaked at number one in the States -United. His second album Danse de l’ombre was released in April 1978 and it was just as successful as his first album.

The album’s title track ‘Shadow Dancing’ peaked at number 1 in the US and thus made Gibb history as the first male solo act to record 3 consecutive number 1 singles on the same chart. Billboard Hot 100. The album also contained other Top Ten singles like ‘An Everlasting Love’ and ‘(Our Love) Don’t Throw It All Away’.

The music star’s third studio album Nightfall and a compilation album Andy Gibb’s Greatest Hits were both released in 1980. Despite the success of both projects, Gibb was released from his contract with RSO Records due to his cocaine addiction and other behavioral issues. He later landed a gig hosting the music show Or Massive (1981-82) as well as a role in the theatrical production of the musical show Joseph and the Incredible Technicolor Dream Coat. However, his struggle with cocaine addiction cost him both jobs. He then continued to play music and also participated in many television shows.

Andy Gibb entered a drug rehabilitation program in early 1987 with hopes of finally quitting his ways. He returned to the studio in June this year to start recording songs for a possible 4th album. Gibb appears to have overcome his drug addiction habits the following year and was charged with signing a recording contract with the UK branch of Island Records in March 1988. Unfortunately, he fell into clinical depression afterwards and the deal with Island Records never came to fruition.

What happened to him, how did he die?

Due to Andy Gibb’s history of drug addiction, it was widely reported that he died of an accidental drug overdose. However, these claims have been strongly refuted by the musician’s family as well as his medical reports.

The international music star was admitted to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for a few days after complaining of chest pain. While investigations were underway to determine the cause of his condition, he passed out on the morning of March 10, 1988, and ultimately died later that day.

Gibb’s chest pain was eventually diagnosed as a result of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle caused by a recent viral infection he suffered from. The myocarditis was also said to have been aggravated by the singer’s prolonged use of cocaine.

wife, daughter

Andy Gibb was married once during his lifetime. He tied the knot with Kim Reeder on July 11, 1976. The couple had one child together, a daughter named Peta Gibb, born January 25, 1978. Gibb’s marriage to Reeder was short-lived and the duo broke up even before the birth of their child.. Their divorce was finalized on January 15, 1978.

Beyond her first and only marriage, Gibba also made headlines for her special relationship with American actress Victoria Principal. The duo met in 1981 while filming a TV show and their romance progressed rapidly thereafter. Shortly after they first met, the couple performed a duet titled “All I Gotta Do Is A Dream” to commemorate their love. Unfortunately, their relationship lasted about a year and ended in March 1982. Their split was the result of Gibb’s long battle with drug addiction.