Robert Stigwood, the Australian impresario, has died aged 81.
The news of Stigwood’s death was confirmed by Spencer Gibb, son of Bee Gees star Robin Gibb, who posted on Facebook:
“I would like to share the sad news with you all, that my godfather, and the longtime manager of my family, Robert Stigwood, has passed away. A creative genius with a very quick and dry wit, Robert was the driving force behind The Bee Gees career, as well as having discovered Cream, and subsequently managing Eric Clapton. He was also of course, the creator of the movies Saturday Night Fever and Grease, and many Broadway musicals with Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. RSO Records pretty much defined the late 70’s. Of course, his biography is very extensive and can easily be found online… I would like to thank Robert for his kindness to me over the years as well as his mentorship to my family. ‘Stiggy’, you will be missed.”
Stigwood started out in advertising in his native Australia before moving to the UK when he was 21.
He worked as a booking agent for The Who, before going on to manage Cream and Eric Clapton.
He began working with the Bee Gees in 1967.
On the stage, Stigwood produced Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita, as well as film musicals Grease, Tommy, Saturday Night Fever and Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
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