Colin Petersen, original Bee Gees drummer, dead at 78

nypost.com:

Best of the Bee Gees Facebook page on Monday.“It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our dear friend Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen,” the page wrote. “He enriched our lives and bound our group with love, care and respect,” the message continued. “Not sure how we can go on without his glowing smile and deep friendship.

We love you Col. Rest in Peace.”A cause of death was not revealed. Petersen was born on March 24, 1946 in Queensland, Australia.

He got his nickname from starring in the 1956 film “Smiley.”At age 20, Petersen moved to London and joined brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb to become a member of the Bee Gees.

Vince Melouney also joined the group.Petersen was the drummer for the Bee Gees from 1967 to 1969. He performed on six of the group’s first seven albums, including “Spicks and Specks” (1966), “Bee Gees’ 1st” (1967), “Horizontal” (1968), “Idea” (1968), “Odessa” (1969) and “Cucumber Castle” (1970).“Sometimes we’d spend hours in the studio, and nothing would come together, so we’d pack up and try again another day.