Bee Gees star Robin Gibb in a coma as his family keeps bedside vigil
By the CNN Wire Staff
updated 12:31 PM EDT, Mon April 16, 2012
Robin Gibb, one of three brothers who made up the disco group The Bee Gees, died Sunday, May 20. He was 62.
The Bee Gees, formerly known as The Brothers Gibb, pose in front of a Rolls Royce showroom in 1967.
Australian musician Colin Petersen, a drummer with the popular disco group The Bee Gees, tinkering under the hood of his car in 1965.
The Bee Gees pose in London in 1967. From left to right, Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, drummer Colin Peterson and Maurice Gibb.
The Bee Gees with a bear skin rug.
Robin Gibb, left, and brother Barry at London's Heathrow Airport in 1967.
The Bee Gees sporting fashionable jackets in 1967.
The Bee Gees walk down a New York City Street in 1968. From left to right, bassist Vince Melouney, Robin Gibb, Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, and drummer Colin Peterson.
Singer Barry Gibb poses just after winning a Beau Brummell award for best-dressed personality in Britain.
Maurice and Barry Gibb rehearse for the TV show "Cucumber Castle" in 1969.
Maurice Gibb and his new bride, Scottish pop singer Lulu, exit Gerrards Cross Church in Buckinghamshire, England, on February 18, 1969.
From left to right, brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb in 1970.
Maurice, Barry and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees in 1973.
Robin Gibb sings on stage during a concert in London in 1975.
Robin, Barry and Maurice do a promotional shot for director Michael Schultz's Beatles tribute film, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," in 1977.
The Bee Gees pose with Barry Manilow at the American Music Awards in1979. Manilow won the award for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist, and the Bee Gees won Favorite Pop/Rock Band, Duo, or Group.
Maurice, Barry and Robin in 1989.
The Bee Gees perform during the "One Night Only" concert at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, in March, 1999.
Barry, Robin and Maurice pose at a New York press conference in 2001 announcing the release of the Bee Gees album "This is Where I Came In."
Robin Gibb displays his World Artist Award for Lifetime Achievement during the 2003 World Awards in Hamburg, Germany. Gibb accepted the award on behalf of the Bee Gees.
Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) and Robin Gibb arrive at the "Adopt-A-Minefield" benefit gala in support of landmine victims in 2005 in Neuss, Germany.
Robin and Barry Gibb arrive for The Ivor Novello Awards at the Grosvenor Hotel on May 25, 2006, in London, England.
Barry and Robin share the stage with Yvonne Gibb (wife of Maurice, who died in 2003) and BMI CEO Del Bryant at the BMI Pop Awards in Beverly Hills, California, in 2007.
Robin attends the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo in 2010.
Robin Gibb and John Travolta pose after Gibb announced Travolta as the winner of a Golden Camera media prize in Berlin in February 2010.
Bee Gees through the years
Bee Gees through the years
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Bee Gees through the years
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Bee Gees through the years
Bee Gees through the years
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STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- NEW: Peter Frampton and Diane Warren are among those offering support online
- "We are all hoping and praying that he will pull through," a message on Gibb's website says
- The 62-year-old member of the Bee Gees also has pneumonia
- Gibb had bowel surgery in 2010, his rep says, confirming a report from The Sun
(CNN) -- Bee Gees star Robin Gibb is in a coma and has pneumonia, the latest turn in health issues that include a recent battle with colon and liver cancer, according to a message Saturday on his website.
Doctors believe that Gibb, 62, has a secondary tumor, his representative Doug Wright said, confirming a news account in The Sun in the United Kingdom. Gibb had emergency surgery in 2010 for a blocked bowel and then had more surgery for a twisted bowel, Wright confirmed.
"We are all hoping and praying that he will pull through," said the message on Gibb's website, which noted that reports "are true" about Gibb being in a coma and having contracted pneumonia.
News of Gibb's condition elicited a flood of support on social network sites and in the music community.
2002: Bee Gees and 'Saturday Night Fever'
Peter Frampton, who like the Bee Gees rose to fame in the 1970s, wrote on Twitter, "My positive thoughts go out to Robin Gibb and all of the Gibb family. I am wishing you the best and hope for a quick recovery. Much love 2 U."
Others offering their thoughts and prayers online included Julian Lennon, the son of John Lennon, and former Jackson 5 member Jackie Jackson.
Diane Warren -- who herself has written and produced dozens of popular songs for a wide range of performers, including Aretha Franklin and Justin Bieber -- described Gibb as "one of the best songwriters of all time."
Robin Gibb's twin brother, Maurice, died in 2003 of a twisted bowel.
Brother Andy died at age 30 from a heart infection.
The Brothers Gibb -- calling themselves the Bee Gees -- soared to renown as one of the most successful British groups after the 1977 film "Saturday Night Fever" starring John Travolta was built around the group's disco songs.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, the Bee Gees have sold more than 200 million albums, and their soundtrack album to "Saturday Night Fever" was the top-selling album until Michael Jackson's "Thriller" claimed that distinction in the 1980s.
While often in the background as brother Barry sang lead vocals, Robin Gibb stepped forward on several top tunes, including "I Started a Joke" and "I've Gotta Get a Message to You." He also recorded several solo albums during his career.
CNN's Anisa Husain contributed to this report.