Barry Gibb and Brian Wilson hint at new music after mutual praise online: "We must collaborate!"
23 February 2021, 17:20 | Updated: 23 February 2021, 17:27
Brian Wilson and Barry Gibb have been praising each other's musical talents on social media and the Bee Gee took it one step further by saying to Brian, and the world, "We must collaborate!"
If Brian Wilson and Barry Gibb have anything to do with it then we could soon be treated to a collaboration between two of pop music's finest songwriters.
It all began on Wednesday February 17 when the Bee Gee and the Beach Boy shared their mutual admiration for each other on social media.
See more: The greatest Bee Gees songs of all time, ranked
Brian Wilson took to his Instagram page and talked about his first meeting with the Bee Gees' Barry Gibb.
See more: Beach Boys star Brian Wilson performs ‘God Only Knows’ while in lockdown
“I really admire Barry Gibb,” he wrote. “He is like King Kong. He and I could probably work something up together.
"We met at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in 1997. I presented them for their introduction. They sang ‘To Love Somebody.’
"Before the show, Barry came down to meet me and he just sat in the room. I heard later that he was nervous. I was nervous too.”
See more: Private studio footage of Barry Gibb and the Bee Gees recording 'Tragedy' is phenomenal
Brian then went on stage and praised the band at the 1997 ceremony, saying: “The magic of the Bee Gees is in their songwriting, the lyrics, and the way the words go against the melodies. But the real secret is, they’re a family. They’re brothers.”
Barry Gibb spotted Brian Wilson's online praise and on the same day responded to the Beach Boys' Instagram page.
“You are the reason I’m living,” Barry replied. “You prove to me that you can do whatever you want to do with your voice and all these years I have just been following you and everything you do. If I’m King Kong then you are Godzilla!
See more: Brian Wilson facts: Looking back at the Beach Boys legend's life and career
"Thank you for such a wonderful compliment. We must connect and collaborate as soon as we can. I love you pal ! As I said…you’re the reason. BG”
See more: Barry Gibb and son Stephen perform stunning lockdown medley of stripped back Bee Gees hits
The mutual love-in comes just months after Barry Gibb collaborated with a host of famous voices for his most recent album Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers Songbook, Vol. 1, released on January 8.
The last remaining Bee Gees star re-recorded some of his and his brothers' greatest hits with some of his closest friends in country music, including Keith Urban and Dolly Parton.
See more: Barry Gibb inviting Maurice's daughter on stage for duet of 'How Can You Mend a Broken Heart' is so moving
Sir Barry Gibb has always been a big fan of bluegrass and country music, and the 12 Bee Gees tracks on the new album including 'Words', 'How Deep is Your Love' and 'Jive Talkin'' got reworks from Barry, with duets including Alison Krauss, David Rawlings, Jason Isbell, Jay Buchanan, Little Big Town, Miranda Lambert, Olivia Newton-John and Sheryl Crow.
Barry has had a lifelong friendship with Olivia Newton-John in particular and a history which sees them collaborating as far back as the late seventies.
See more: The Bee Gees' flawless harmonies during a live MTV performance in 1993 is a lost masterpiece
The Beach Boys With The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
In 1979 Barry Gibb joined the Bee Gees, ABBA, Rod Stewart and Olivia Newton-John for a medley of Jackie DeShannon's 'Put A Little Bit Of Love In Your Heart' at The Music for UNICEF Concert in New York, a night which also saw Olivia sing a stunning duet with Andy Gibb.
See next: Andy Gibb outshines older brother Barry with jaw dropping solo of Bee Gees’ ‘Words’ in 1981
1997 saw the Bee Gees dedicate a special performance of the song Grease to a moved Olivia Newton-John, and in 2009 the pair sang a handful of greatest hits including 'How Can You Mend A Broken Heart' and 'Islands In The Stream' at a fundraiser in Australia.
Can you imagine a collaboration between Barry Gibb, Brian Wilson and Olivia Newton-John? Now that would be something!
Barry Gibb - Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers' Songbook (Vol. 1 / Album Trailer)
