THE BEE GEES vs. THE TENORS
One of the world’s bestselling bands of all time goes up against a vocal quartet “put on this earth to entertain.” One will make you dance. The other will make you cry.
“I Started a Joke.”
“Lead with Your Heart.”
Origins Formed in 1958 in Redcliffe, Australia by brothers Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb. The boys allegedly broke a 78 RPM as they were running to a lip- sync event and were thus forced to sing live, to legendary acclaim. Formerly Known As The BG’s. The band’s name is not a reference to “brothers Gibb” but to Barry’s initials, which matched those of radio DJ Bill Gates, who gave them their first break by hiring them to entertain at a speedway in 1960.
By the Numbers Nine No. 1 singles; five Grammies; 220 million albums sold.
Sentimental Journey They were four; now they are one. Barry lost the last of his three brothers ( including Andy, who had a solo career) when Robin died in 2012. He has spoken about his subsequent depression, and stated that he’d like to die onstage from a heart attack “in the middle of ‘ Stayin’ Alive.’”
Six Degrees of Jesus Robert Stigwood, the manager who convinced the Bee Gees to contribute to the soundtrack for Saturday Night Fever, also produced the film version of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar.
Shared the Stage with Every big name you know. As well, Barry Gibb recently revealed that he and Michael Jackson recorded a duet.
Intermission Icebreaker Randomly shout, “Humpybong!!” just to see what happens. The Gibbs attended Humpybong State School in Brisbane.
The Last Word The Bee Gees. Sure, it’s a tribute band, but they’ll get you out of your seat, and not just to grab another tissue.
Origins Debuted in Victoria, B. C. in 2004 as a trio. Re- debuted in 2008 as a quartet with four new singers: Fraser Walters, Victor Micallef, Remigio Pereira and Jamie McKnight. Clifton Murray replaced McKnight a year later.
Formerly Known As The Canadian Tenors.
By the Numbers Tens of thousands of albums sold; one Juno for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year.
Sentimental Journey These talented fellows will not rest until every lip in the Jube quivers. If they don’t get you with their emotional take on Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” they will force the issue with Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven.” Resistance is futile.
Six Degrees of Jesus At 16, Fraser Walters played the role of Jesus in an Australian production of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar.
Shared the Stage with Paul Anka, Neil Young, Justin Bieber, Paul McCartney and, most famously, Celine Dion on an episode of Oprah. Watch the latter on YouTube, when Dion’s unannounced arrival garners an amusing mix of feigned cool and utter shock among the singers. Random Intermission Icebreaker After agreeing to a second glass of shiraz, loudly repeat Clifton Murray’s pet affirmation: “I always give thanks to the power of yes!” Stayin’ Alive: A Tribute to The Bee Gees with the CPO, Friday, Sept. 25. Jack Singer Concert Hall, 205 8th Ave. S. E., calgaryphil. com. The Tenors, Monday Sept. 28 at the Southern Jubilee Auditorium. TM.