The Enthralling Story of The Bee Gees

The Bee Gees are one of the best-selling groups in music history. They had numerous hits from the 1960s through the 1990s as performers, and also found success as writers and producers for other artists. Their story is filled with ups, downs, twists and turns, happiness, and heartbreak. How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?, an HBO documentary released in 2020, does a fantastic job telling the in-depth story of the band, from their beginnings in the 1960s, to their super-sized 1970s success, which was spearheaded by their contributions to the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever. The film also details their fall from grace during the disco backlash, and their re-invention as hit-makers for artists like Barbra Streisand and Diana Ross. The story of their rise, fall and rise is captivating

How Can You Mend a Broken Heart? charts the group's early years with some terrific performance footage, featuring their early hits, such as "New York Mining Disaster 1941" and "I've Gotta Get A Message To You." In the wake of the British Invasion, their heavenly harmonies, and innate talent for crafting memorable pop songs, brought them great success in the mid to late 1960s. But in the latter part of the decade, the pressures of fame and internal rivalries within the group caused the band to break up. Their attempt at solo careers didn't work out, however, and the group reunited in 1970, finding success with the songs "Lonely Days" and "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?" It was just the first of several times the brothers Gibb would successfully re-invent themselves.

When the group once again fell into a musical dry spell during the early-mid 1970s, their manager Robert Stigwood and his client Eric Clapton suggested they try recording in Miami, where Clapton had rejuvenated his career making his album 461 Ocean Boulevard in the studio located at that address. The band worked with legendary producer Arif Mardin, and began exploring a more R&B oriented sound. Songs like "Jive Talkin'" and "Fanny (Be Tender With My Love)" brought the band back onto radio playlists, and expanded their audience. Barry's unique falsetto vocals also played a significant part in the band's new direction, becoming a vital element of songs like "Nights On Broadway." The Bee Gees were back on top of the charts.

Then came Saturday Night Fever. Robert Stigwood wanted the band to contribute songs to the soundtrack of a little movie about disco dancing starring John Travolta, who was then best known for his role as Vinnie Barbarino on TV's Welcome Back, Kotter. No one could have predicted the film and its soundtrack album would go on to become such a phenomenal success, raising The Bee Gees profile into the stratosphere. As their younger brother Andy began his own career in music (aided by his brothers) and the disco craze took the world by storm, it seemed like there was nowhere to go but up for The Bee Gees. Their music was everywhere, and their follow-up to the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, Spirits Having Flown, was another chart-topping album, spawning three number one hit singles.

Then came the backlash. Disco music had risen in popularity, and saturated the airwaves and record stores. It was inevitable that there would be a downturn. A Chicago DJ named Steve Dahl, who often spouted diatribes about how "Disco Sucks" on his radio show,  hosted a "Disco Demolition Night" on July 12, 1979 at Comiskey Park. Thousands of people brought disco albums to the ballpark to be blown up between the games of a scheduled White Sox doubleheader. The event turned into a free for all when fans stormed the field and caused significant damage after the records were destroyed. Sadly, as noted in the film, the event had overtones of racism and homophobia attached to it, but what it really signaled was the beginning of the end of the disco era.

Unfairly labelled as simply a disco-oriented act, The Bee Gees found themselves essentially blacklisted on the airwaves, with their subsequent releases, like 1981's Living Eyes, receiving little to no airplay on US radio. Hurt by this rejection, the band re-trenched, and re-invented themselves once again, finding new success as writers and producers for Barbra Streisand, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, and their brother Andy, before his untimely death in 1988. Their success as behind the scenes hitmakers rejuvenated the brothers, and they began to write and record once again as The Bee Gees. The trio started touring, and found that their fans were thrilled to see them performing live again. Sadly, both Robin and Maurice have now passed on in the intervening years, leaving Barry the only surviving member of the group.

How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?, directed by Frank Marshall, is a heartfelt, moving and insightful look at the history of the brothers Gibb, featuring archival interviews with Maurice, Robin and Andy, as well as new footage with Barry filmed specifically for the documentary. There are also interviews with Justin Timberlake, Eric Clapton and Nick Jonas regarding their thoughts on the band's legacy. The film doesn't shy away from the dark side of the band's story, but it justly celebrates the lasting impact and wonderful discography of the group. If you're a fan of The Bee Gees or Andy Gibb, this film is a must see; the phemonenal in-studio and performance footage alone makes it worth watching. You'll also be reminded about just how many incredible songs the band has provided for us over the years. How Can You Mend a Broken Heart? is currently available for streaming on HBO Max. Here's a link to the trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5tncybE7Wg.