Posted 8 years ago
PhilDMorris
(223 items)
Andy Gibb, Photographed for Polydor Records, b&w, Hand Coloured Photo
I photographed Andy Gibb for Polydor back in late June 1978 as he was receiving his gold record for I Just Want To Be Your Everything.
The stage was about 16 foot square and 4 feet high. It was closed off while the gold record photos were being taken and I posted one here about 4 years ago. Polydor was not prepared at all it seemed. While we were waiting they gave Andy and myself a large coke with ice. He said we would have to share but I only had a sip as Andy needed it more to face the throngs. Andy was very nice and asked about my Camera, a NIKON F2SB, which I bought new in late 1976 when it came out. We had to wait a while while the rest was set up so we talked for about half an hour. We were both so young. I luckily had some of the best places to do the pics and just used a standard lens size as I was so close, around 3 feet for this one. There were many people, a crowd gathered around the stage.
After the Polydor promo pictures there was a meet and greet picture signing. By this time I had switched to black and white and this photo is now hand coloured. Andy sat at the desk and he had the only chair. The people were paired in twos KNEELING in front of the desk, at the edge of the stage with blankets in front of stage, very messy looking. Polydor was so unprepared as if they expected someone else to do the work. After Andy signed the photo he gave each lady a kiss on the lips, my negatives show. it was a relief as the signing did not last a long time as Andy had to get ready for his evening performance. I believe it was his first time in Canada. Mr. Gibb apparently died after many years of cocaine abuse, not alcohol. This may have been a favourite t-shirt of his and there is a photo out there of Andy sitting between his parents holding a gold record and wearing this t-shirt.
I got home late around 6:30 and there were people sitting around waiting for me, as it was my birthday. A surprise birthday party. I did not tell anyone where I had been.
Thanks Thomas. Yes I believe he was to go out with his brothers in some singing engagements. It was a tough time when he lived, maybe these days would have been easier for him, and he could have accomplished a lot more. When this was taken he was more popular than his brothers who were still at their hight !
Appreciated.
Thank you for this photo of the fabulous Andy Gibb and wonderful story!!
Looks like a Minnesota Northstar jersey. He looks very happy.
That's a great picture. I didn't know he was such a catch when he was young :-)) Love the hand colouring too. Thank you for the story!!
This is a very sweet photo Phil. Great post!!!
You are welcome Efesgirl, glad you liked it !
Phil,
So amazing that you had the honor of photographing Andy Gibb. Your story is really great! (Now I have "I Just Want Be Your Everything" stuck inside my head).
Andy Gibb was such a great artist and it's a true shame that alcohol eventually took his young life away.
What a interesting story and life you have had ! So sad Andy passed at such a young age . The photo is priceless just like you :-) xo
Thanks Caperkid, he was so happy that day !
Thanks Phil for sharing photo and wonderful story !!
Hermann
So young! I was 17 then and had such a crush on him & Barry (But Freddie Mercury would ALWAYS be #1!) . Sigh. Looking on the interwbs at more photos - Remember when sexy men had hair on their bodies and looked like men? Ahh - the 70's & early 80's...!!
Nice pic, Phil & a great memory!
Damn - he was dead almost exactly 10 years later on March 10, 1988. How MUCH we forgety with the passage of time!
Wow - his mom just died last year at 95. Sad she was preceded by three sons of five children total. RIP.
http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7469559/barbara-gibb-dead
Thank you so much bijoucaillouvintage !!
Appreciated shareurpassion !
I remember this photo and story, Love it!!!!! Thanks for sharing this again.
Hi Kerry thanks but I never posted this photo ever before ! You must be thinking of the other photo where he received his award.
Wow, makes me feel like the '70s all over again!
Most appreciated jscotto !
Love this pic and the history behind it, thanks for sharing!
Thanks Manikin, I remember that day well, but maybe would not, had I no pictures.
Thank you Radegunder and also to Celiene. Thanks also to beyenvey and Karenoke for the comments !
Thanks for the loves aura, vetraio50, VioletOrange, blunderbuss2, Peasejean55, kyratango, AdeleC, Efesgirl, Mrstyndall and brunswick.
This is fantastic Phil... What wonderful memories you must have!
Thank you Nicefice for the comment, most appreciated.
Thanks Rick55 for the nice comment !
Thank you for the loves Celiene, jscott0363, vintagelamp, mcheconi, shareurpassion, TassieDevil, bijoucaillouvintage, racer4four, Caperkid, roddyq, charmsomeone, mikelv85, and sklo42 !
Awesome photo! Any chance you have SRV in your archive?
Thank you akrodog, no chance on SRV, wish I had. He had such a short life and career, too bad :(
From what did he die of, so young??
He died from problems he had with drugs which caused his body medical problems.
Simply amazing artists. Both you and Andy.
Thank you Collectomaniac, I really appreciate that !
Again, the text accompanying your photo is wonderful! Great photo, too! I remember reading 16 Magazine and Tiger Beat as a teenager. This brings back memories!
Thank you betweenthelens, I appreciate your comment !~
Thank you Tom, most appreciated !~