Original Bee Gees drummer Frederick Colin Petersen dies

The original Bee Gees drummer, Frederick Colin Petersen, has died.

The Australian musician, who played on hits including Massachusetts, To Love Somebody and Words, was 78 years old.

Known as Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen, he was a member of the Bee Gees from 1967 to 1969, with bandmate brothers Barry, the late Robin and the late Maurice Gibb. He became disillusioned with their manager and left the group – a situation that later descended into arguments and lawsuits.

His death was confirmed to the Brisbane Times by his band The Best of the Bee Gees, with which he continued to perform his former group’s hits.

“It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our dear friend Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen,” the group said in a statement.

“He enriched our lives and bound our group with love, care and respect. We love you Col. Rest in peace.”

Petersen was married to Joanne Petersen, once personal assistant to the Beatles manager Brian Epstein, whom she found dead of a drug overdose in his London flat in 1967.

Petersen’s death comes just four days after the death of a later Bee Gees drummer, Dennis Bryon, at 75. Bryon was born in Cardiff, and became a member of The Bee Gees in 1973.

He played drums on nine number one records, including Jive Talkin’, You Should Be Dancin’, How Deep Is Your Love, Stayin’ Alive and Night Fever.