Barry Gibb Blocks Bee Gees Song From Being Used in an AIDS Ad - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-04-2009, 12:17 PM

Bee Gees star Barry Gibb has refused to let one of the band's songs be used in an AIDS awareness advertisement - insisting the cover version sounds too similar to the original.

A new recording of the Bee Gees' Staying Alive was made using the cast of touring stage show Thank You For The Music to be used as part of a major health campaign across Europe. However, the musician's representatives at the Warner music company have banned organizers from using the song in a conflict over publishing rights.

Martin Spooner, who plays Gibb's brother Robin in the stage show, says, "I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Although we miss out on a lucrative TV deal we take this as a back-handed compliment that we sound too much like the Bee Gees. But it's disappointing too because it was a major campaign for a worthwhile cause. It never occurred to us there would be a problem."

http://www.starpulse.com/news/index....locks_aids_ad_

Nighthawk76 · 05-04-2009, 01:01 PM

I think that Barry should change his mind. I respect Barry, but in the case he is wrong. If the song can be used for a good cause, than he should let them use it. Barry is acting like Elton John here.

catlover79 · 05-04-2009, 02:13 PM

Wow!!

TripperFan · 05-04-2009, 02:52 PM

I'm really surprised at Barry. I would think he'd be all for this - maybe if the copy band changes their arrangement slightly? Or why doesn't Barry just offer them to use the original Bee Gees version.

catlover79 · 05-04-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

I'm really surprised at Barry. I would think he'd be all for this - maybe if the copy band changes their arrangement slightly? Or why doesn't Barry just offer them to use the original Bee Gees version.

The Bee Gees were always about charity - remember back in 1979 they donated all the royalties of "Too Much Heaven" to UNICEF? So this is a bit confusing.

TripperFan · 05-04-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

The Bee Gees were always about charity - remember back in 1979 they donated all the royalties of "Too Much Heaven" to UNICEF? So this is a bit confusing.

Exactly! Plus, didn't Maurice die of cancer? You'd think he'd be all for something charitable. And I don't think there's the same stigma connected to AIDS as there used to be - heck, there shouldn't be. (I'm just thinking in case he didn't want their song connected to an STD, but I don't think people consider AIDS a solely STD disease - it isn't).

I wonder if he's more concerned that the cover band is TOO good and TOO close to the Bee Gees themselves that they're a bit of a threat. I don't know if this is the same band, but a couple of years ago I saw a Bee Gee cover band that were absolutely incredible! Not only did they look just like them, but sounded basically IDENTICAL. The best part was that the tickets were close to the stage and were only $28. It was fabulous - girls got up from the audience and started dancing in the aisles they were so good!

catlover79 · 05-04-2009, 06:09 PM

Maurice actually passed away of complications from surgery to repair a twisted intestine - he then went into cardiac arrest. It may be more of an issue of the cover song than the cause itself. Maybe Barry can put out a statement or give an interview and he can go into more detail.

05-04-2009, 12:17 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Barry Gibb Blocks Bee Gees Song From Being Used in an AIDS Ad Bee Gees star Barry Gibb has refused to let one of the band's songs be used in an AIDS awareness advertisement - insisting the cover version sounds too similar to the original. A new recording of the Bee Gees' Staying Alive was made using the cast of touring stage show Thank You For The Music to be used as part of a major health campaign across Europe. However, the musician's representatives at the Warner music company have banned organizers from using the song in a conflict over publishing rights. Martin Spooner, who plays Gibb's brother Robin in the stage show, says, "I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Although we miss out on a lucrative TV deal we take this as a back-handed compliment that we sound too much like the Bee Gees. But it's disappointing too because it was a major campaign for a worthwhile cause. It never occurred to us there would be a problem." http://www.starpulse.com/news/index....locks_aids_ad_
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05-04-2009, 02:13 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Wow!!
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05-04-2009, 02:52 PM	#4
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	I'm really surprised at Barry. I would think he'd be all for this - maybe if the copy band changes their arrangement slightly? Or why doesn't Barry just offer them to use the original Bee Gees version.
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

05-04-2009, 01:01 PM	#2
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	I think that Barry should change his mind. I respect Barry, but in the case he is wrong. If the song can be used for a good cause, than he should let them use it. Barry is acting like Elton John here.

05-04-2009, 06:09 PM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Maurice actually passed away of complications from surgery to repair a twisted intestine - he then went into cardiac arrest. It may be more of an issue of the cover song than the cause itself. Maybe Barry can put out a statement or give an interview and he can go into more detail.