Hometown hero Robin Gibb at the Villa
Superstar Robin Gibb will take to the stage of the Villa Marina, Douglas, on Tuesday for a special charity concert.
John Gregory spoke to the Manx born Bee Gees legend about his passion for the Island.
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>>Click the play icon to hear John Gregory speaking to Robin Gibb
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ROBIN Gibb really is a hometown hero.
While he may have travelled around the world with his music during his exceptionally successful career it is the Isle of Man which remains closest to his heart.
When he speaks about the Island it is with a true warmth, affection and passion. 'It's a beautiful place to be and I was glad I was born there,' he said.
'It is almost spiritual because it is where the three (Bee Gee] brothers were born at Jane Crookall Nursing Home, which is no longer in use.
'It's very significant to us and a very important part of our lives. We feel that it is our spiritual home.'
Asked whether this is a feeling that has developed over the years or something that has been with him since birth, he replied: 'It's always been with us, absolutely.'
Robin was born in Douglas on December 22, 1949 – followed half an hour later by twin Maurice. Their older sister Lesley was born in 1945 and Barry was born in 1946. The youngest sibling, Andy, was born in Manchester in 1958.
Robin, Barry and Maurice went on to international fame and success as The Bee Gees, selling 200 million records. They have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and have collected eight Grammys.
Robin has only been living back in the Island a couple of years or so but Tuesday's concert, which has been organised by Oskar's Dreams for Rebecca House, the new children's hospice, will be the second time in 18 months he has performed for Manx audiences.
Robin played at the massive Peel Bay Festival last year and is looking forward to his Villa gig.
Asked about how he felt the Island has changed over the years, Robin said: 'What I have noticed is that there is very little change which is very very good. They are keeping to the original look of the Island from the time that it grew in the Victorian period.
'I think this is a great thing. They are not putting blots on the landscape.'
Robin and his wife Dwina have devoted plenty of time to charities and they have helped with Rebecca House. Robin said he has been involved with it for a couple of years.
'It is very close to my heart. You shouldn't have to go to England, it is somewhere special that is close and it is needed.'
The 'Proud To Be Manx' concert is being presented by the Henry Bloom Noble Trust in conjunction with Isle of Man Newspapers and sponsor Quinn Kneale.
With such an impressive array of songs to choose from – the Gibb Brothers' catalogue is the most successful in the world second only to the Beatles – I asked him whether it was difficult to pick what to play.
But Robin, referring to the audience, said he will 'hit them between the eyes' with both solo and Bee Gees songs.
While many bands – and their songs – seem to go in a flash the songs of the Bee Gees, whether performed by the brothers or the many artists who have covered them, have a timeless quality.
Robin explained this was down to their being about 'human emotions that affect young and old'.
'When you sing about human emotions it is as perennial as the grass.'
We finished our conversation with Robin telling me his father, Hugh, was a band leader and drummer in the Island, before he again praised the land of his birth.
'It's the jewel in the crown of this planet,' he said. There are many who would agree with that.
>>Popular singer-songwriter Anna Goldsmith is the support act for the Villa gig. Tickets are from 37.50, ring the ticket hotline on 694555.
www.robingibb.com
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Weather for Isle of Man
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
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