Legendary Bee Gees producer Robert Stigwood dies

The Bee Gees at the time were mired in a multi-year slump, which would turn around with the RSO release Main Course, featuring a move to R & B and disco and the hits Jive Talkin’ and Nights on Broadway.

Robert Stigwood, who managed the Bee Gees at the peak of their career and produced one of the defining films of the 1970s in “Saturday Night Fever”, has died at the age of 81.

Stigwood, who was born in Port Pirie in South Australia, worked with a staggering number of ground-breaking acts, both on the Broadway stage and on the pop charts, producing counter-culture stage hits Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Adelaide-based music industry professional Stuart McQueen, who said he considers Stigwood one of his heroes, worked with Arts SA to establish the Robert Stigwood Fellowship Program to help young Adelaide artists build their careers. No cause of death has been given.

The news of his death was announced by Spencer Gibb, a son of Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb.

As well as managing bands he also produced films such as Grease and Saturday Night Fever.

He went on to manage Cream and Eric Clapton, before signing the Bee Gees in 1967 and steering them to worldwide success with an intensive promotional campaign for the single New York Mining Disaster 1941.

He was also the brains behind the 1996 movie adaptation of Evita, which starred Madonna.

Robin Gibb died aged 62 in 2012 after a cancer fight while Maurice passed away at the age of 53 in 2003 from complications during surgery.

English composer and friend Andrew Lloyd Webber paid tribute to Stigwood on Tuesday, describing the Australian producer as a “great showman”.

British lyricist Sir Tim Rice, who wrote hit musicals including Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar, tweeted: “Farewell to the extraordinary innovative generous #RobertStigwood“.

“[He was] a vital part of my life”, he added. “Stiggy” you will be missed”, Gibb wrote.