Original Bee Gees drummer Colin 'Smiley' Petersen dies at 78

Colin "Smiley" Petersen, the original drummer of the Bee Gees, has died aged 78.

Petersen's death was announced by tribute band The Best of the Bee Gees, who he toured with extensively over the past five years.

The cause of his death is not known.

"It is with the heaviest of hearts that the Best of the Bee Gees Show announces the passing of our legend, Colin "Smiley" Petersen this morning, Monday 18 November 2024," the band said in a statement.

"Colin was a much loved 'family' member of the troupe, holding our audiences spellbound with his stories of the lead role in the iconic Australian film Smiley, as the drummer in the original Bee Gees, and performing with the Best of the Bee Gees regularly for the last five years."

Petersen performed shows with the band as recently as last Saturday in Bundaberg, Queensland.

Publicist for the tribute band Sue Camilleri said he was "very special and loved".

"His insights and professionalism were appreciated on and off stage … he was unique and loved sharing the road and the spotlight with us," she said.

Frederick Colin Petersen was born in March 1946 and spent the first five years of his life in Kinagroy Queensland, later attending school in Redcliffe just like the Gibb brothers.

The drummer first found fame as a child actor, for his role in the 1956 Australian film Smiley.

Colin Petersen as Smiley – the start of his amazing performing career. (Supplied: Colin Petersen )

In a 2021 interview with the ABC Southern Queensland, Petersen said he auditioned for the role at his mother's urging.

"She said, 'You could do this Colin. You get up onstage at the city hall with thousands of people there and communicate with your drums. All you have to do here is communicate with words,'" he recalled.

He went on to star in several more movies opposite Sir Richard Attenborough, Max Bygraves and Dana Wilson.

But after a few years his life took a different path and he picked up a pair of drum sticks.

He played as a member of the Bee Gees for their move to England from 1967 to 1969.

After school he played with several bands and met Maurice Gibb who invited him to play with the Bee Gees.

He played on albums Bee Gees 1st, Horizontal, Idea, Odessa and Cucumber Castle.

He drummed on famous tracks To Love Somebody, and Words.

Petersen left the band after a dispute with manager Robert Stigwood, according to US publication Deadline.

The Bee Gees with Colin Petersen (front left) and Vince Melouney (front right) in 1967.   (Supplied: Colin Petersen)

He then went on to play with the group Humpy Bong, an English folk-rock band he formed with Irish singer Jonathan Kelly.

In 1969, along with his wife Joanne Newfield — a former personal assistant to Beatles manager Brian Epstein and later to Stigwood — he started a management company in 1969.

The couple have two sons, Ben and Jaime.

More than 50 years on, Colin relived that magical chapter of his life with the Best of The Bee Gees show, touring the country and sharing the stories and the songs.

"I really was a part of the creation of something that people are holding in their heart," he told the ABC in 2021.

Manager Greg Shaw said: "I've known Colin for 34 years and was thrilled when he agreed to bring his career full circle by joining the Best of the Bee Gees.

"His endearing nature and unabashed storytelling added unique perspectives to the shows and he was loved on and off stage. 

"It was an honour to have called him my friend."

Friend and colleague Evan Webster said: "Our lives were enriched the moment Colin joined our troupe.

"We shared years of laughs and music travelling around the country. He was such a fine gentleman and lived among us with grace and honour. He will be remembered forever."