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Colin 'Smiley' Petersen dead at 78: Bee Gees' original drummer dies after being a key figure in the band's early success


Colin 'Smiley' Petersen has died aged 78.

Before his music career, Petersen made waves as a child actor, starring in the classic Australian film Smiley, a role that earned him his enduring nickname. In a 2022 interview with Jason Barnard on The Strange Brew Podcast, he reflected on his time with the band, sharing rare insights into their creative process and his unique drumming style. In the interview, Petersen described the collaborative energy that defined the Bee Gees' recording sessions: 'We'd often go into the studio without a song, which gave me the chance to experiment with tempos and rhythms.

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