When Legends First Met
It was the late 1960s, and the Bee Gees were just beginning to find their place in the music world. Across the charts, The Beatles reigned supreme — and at the heart of their magic was Paul McCartney.
When Barry Gibb first met Paul, it was backstage at a London television taping. The young Bee Gee, still in awe of the Beatlemania phenomenon, found himself face to face with the man whose songs had inspired him.
“We shook hands,” Barry recalls. “And I remember thinking — here’s the man who’s written the soundtrack to my life so far.”
Friendship Built on Respect — and a Little Competition
Over the years, Barry and Paul crossed paths often, from award shows to charity concerts. They shared stories, laughter, and sometimes private jam sessions. But there was also an unspoken creative rivalry.
“Paul always pushed me without saying a word,” Barry admits. “I’d hear one of his songs and think, ‘I have to match that.’ He raised the bar for everyone.”
While they never competed publicly, Barry acknowledges that hearing a McCartney hit in the charts made the Bee Gees push harder in the studio.
The Moment Admiration Became Public
In the mid-1980s, Paul invited Barry to collaborate on a charity single. It was then, Barry says, that he realized their relationship had shifted from polite acquaintances to genuine mutual respect.
“We sang together, and there was this moment… I heard him harmonizing with me, and it struck me — this is Paul McCartney, and he’s treating me like an equal. That meant more than he’ll ever know.”
Barry confesses he never told Paul directly how much that moment mattered — until now.
Why Barry Stayed Silent for So Long
When asked why he never spoke publicly about his deeper feelings toward McCartney, Barry explains:
“It’s hard when you’re both still working, still creating. There’s pride involved. But now, at this point in life, I want to give credit where it’s due. Paul’s been an inspiration to me from day one.”
Barry also revealed that during the Bee Gees’ toughest years — through criticism, personal loss, and industry politics — it was often McCartney’s resilience and artistry that gave him hope.
A Bond That Outlasted the Spotlight
Even as both men stepped back from constant touring, their paths still cross on occasion, often in quiet moments away from the cameras. Barry says those moments now carry more weight than ever.
“We’ve both seen the highs and the heartbreaks. We know what it’s like to lose people we love. That gives us an understanding that goes beyond music.”