Barry Gibb formally received his Knighthood on June 26, 2018, at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London, presided over by Prince Charles. The honor for the lone surviving member of the Bee Gees was announced on Dec. 29, 2017, for services to music and charity, when it was revealed that he and Ringo Starr were among those on the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List 2018.
Congratulations Sir Barry Gibb!
The co-founder of the Bee Gees today received a Knighthood for his services to music and charity. pic.twitter.com/aY50JCMdVj
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 26, 2018
Starr’s ceremony was held on March 20, 2018, at Buckingham Palace, where Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, did the honors.
“If it was not for my brothers, I would not be here,” said Gibb at his June 26 ceremony. “If I had spent my whole life writing songs on my own, it would have meant something else altogether. I hope and pray they are aware of what’s happened.” Watch a post-ceremony interview below.
Upon hearing the news, Gibb, who co-founded the Bee Gees with his twin brothers, Maurice and Robin–both deceased, said in a statement: “I am deeply honoured, humbled, and very proud. This is a moment in life to be treasured and never forgotten. I want to acknowledge how responsible my brothers are for this honour. It is as much theirs as it is mine. The magic, the glow, and the rush will last me the rest of my life.”
Other British music stars who have been knighted over the years include Elton John, Mick Jagger, Tom Jones, Van Morrison, Rod Stewart (in a 2016 ceremony) the Kinks’ Ray Davies, and Queen’s Brian May.
The Bee Gees earned 19 singles that reached the U.K. Top 10, including the #1 hits “Massachusetts,” “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You,” “Night Fever,” “Tragedy” and “You Win Again.”
As a record producer/songwriter, Gibb has helped create milestones for other artists, ranging from Barbra Streisand’s 1980 Guilty album to the 1983 Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers smash duet “Islands In the Stream,” among others. Gibb has been selected to receive Kennedy Center Honors in 2023.
Related: A Bee Gees biopic is in the works
