Gibb Andy

British-American musician and youngest brother of the pop group "The Bee Gees." Under the protection of his older brothers, Barry, Maurice and Robin, he was known as the baby Bee Gee. He skyrocketed to become a teen sensation in the 70s, selling 15 million records worldwide by age 21. He was the only performer ever to have his first three singles reach the top of the charts at No. 1. Gibb was the son of Hugh, an ex-drummer and band leader and Barbara, a former big-band singer. The family emigrated to Australia when Andy was six months old, then moved back to England in 1967 in response to rising popularity of his brothers group, "The Bee Gees." The family then took up residence on the island of Ibiza, off the coast of Spain in 1970 where brother Barry gave 12 year old Andy a guitar. A close family relationship sheltered the guileless, sensitive, delicate boy. With the success of the Bee-Gees, he was picked up at school in a Rolls Royce. Other students resented him and school bored him, compared with the show business life of his brothers. By age 13 Andy left school and was performing at local clubs with occasional accompaniment by his brothers. "Their harmonies, their ballads, all influenced me greatly. I guess you could say I idolized the Bee Gees as a band and loved them as brothers." His voice was so appealing that in 1975 he was encouraged to go out on his own in Australia. Stardom began in earnest when after one hit, Andy was in great demand within his first year. His self-written single "Words and Music" reached No.5 in Sydney. In July 1977, the 19 year old Andy married 18 year old receptionist Kim Reeder. While on his honeymoon, he was requested by record producer Robert Stigwood to make demo tapes in Miami, which were subsequently released that same year on his first album "Flowing Rivers." They moved to West Hollywood in 1977 where he gradually became immersed with an addictive involvement with cocaine. Drugs and seeking single solitude in the mountains were first steps to depression and paranoia. (When Kim became pregnant, she flew back to Australia on 7/11/1976. After giving birth to a daughter, Peta, on 1/25/1978, she divorced Andy three months later after a ten month marriage; she didnt want her daughter surrounded by drugs and alcohol.) In 1980 Kim took Peta to California to see her father, where, after a brief meeting, mother and daughter never saw Andy again. Andy was nominated for two Grammy Awards, one for Best New Artist of the Year and Best Pop Vocal for the hit single "I Just Want To Be Your Everything." Gibb always doubted his talent, but knew he was lucky. In his first year he made $2 million when his single hit the top of the charts. The following year his income was $1 million. His second album, "Shadow Dancing," went platinum within weeks of release and produced another No. 1 single of the same title. A headline concert tour followed, where Andy was reviewed as one of the top entertainers in America. A third single, "Love Is Thicker Than Water," reached No. 1 before the album was even released. The hit singles ended in 1981. Andy began a high-profile relationship with actress Victoria Principal that same year, who was 12 years his senior. Unable to tolerate his addiction, Principal ended the relationship 13 months later, telling him to choose between her and his notorious $1,000 a day cocaine habit. Falling in love with Principal proved emotionally devastatin Read less