Bee Gees' Robin Gibb loses battle with cancer

The Bee Gees' Robin Gibb has died after a lengthy battle with cancer, his family have confirmed.

The legendary singer, who was 62, had been battling liver and colon cancer in recent years. After making what he had described as a "spectacular recovery", a secondary tumour had recently developed.

Last month, Gibb fell into a coma when he contracted pneumonia due to complications arising from the cancer. He later woke and was reportedly able to communicate with his family.

A statement from Gibb's family confirmed his death: "The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery. The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time."

Robin Gibb's career in music began when he formed The Bee Gees with his brothers Barry and Maurice in 1958. The group went onto to enjoy success spanning six decades, with hits including 'Stayin' Alive' and 'I've Gotta Get A Message To You'.

Gibb had recently composed his classical debut, 'The Titanic Requiem', to mark the 100th anniversary of the nautical disaster. The score, which he worked on with son Robin-John, was premiered at an event in central London on April 12. However, Robin was too ill to attend.

Mario Camilleri, responsible for many concerts held in Malta hosting top international artistes, told MaltaToday that the Gibb couple was enchanted by Malta's history following a visit to Valletta and Mdina in 2009.

Gibb had been presented with an International Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2009 Malta Music Awards following an invitation by the organiser of the awards Noel Magri.

"We were honoured with his presence in the 2009 Malta Music Awards when he accepted our invitation to receive the International Lifetime Achievement Award," Magri said.

Gibb's visit included laying a wreath at the War Memorial in Floriana in memory of the war's unsung heroes.

Magri said that Gibb "had been planning to come to Malta again after having been invited by the Sovereign Order of St John of Jerusalem's Count Louis Scerri Montaldo and Noel Farrugia".

While here he was going to personally receive an Ordinance of the St John's Knighthood.