Colin “Smiley” Petersen, the original Bee Gees drummer and a former child actor, died on 18 November 2024 at age 78. ABC News reported on 19 November that the cause of death was not known.
How Petersen became “Smiley”
Born Frederick Colin Petersen in March 1946, he spent his early years in Kingaroy, Queensland. As a child, he played the lead role in the 1956 Australian film Smiley, which gave him the nickname by which he was later known. ABC News’ obituary recounts that his mother encouraged him to audition, drawing on his confidence playing drums before audiences. In a 2021 ABC Southern Queensland interview, Petersen recalled her words: “You could do this Colin. You get up onstage at the city hall with thousands of people there and communicate with your drums. All you have to do here is communicate with words.”
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![Timeless: The All-Time Greatest Hits [2 LP]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Gyd9Fde9L._SL160_.jpg)
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Timeless: The All-Time Greatest Hits [2 LP] | $34.74 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Saturday Night Fever [2 LP]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/511fKKXKGxL._SL160_.jpg)
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Saturday Night Fever [2 LP] | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
![Best of Bee Gees [LP]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/514UHwzOC3L._SL160_.jpg)
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Best of Bee Gees [LP] | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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The Bee Gees: Love Collection | $44.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
![Spirits Having Flown [LP]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41ukoANYOPL._SL160_.jpg)
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Spirits Having Flown [LP] | $24.97 | Buy on Amazon |
His years with the Bee Gees
Petersen went on to become the Bee Gees’ drummer during the group’s early years. The Best of the Bee Gees, a tribute show with which he later performed, describes him as the first non-Gibb brother to become an official member. Its biography lists five albums on which he played drums:
- Bee Gees 1st
- Horizontal
- Idea
- Odessa
- Cucumber Castle
The Bee Gees’ official discography provides historical album and track information. The available sources establish Petersen’s place in the group and identify these albums, but do not support assigning him specific drum parts on individual tracks.
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- Released in 2017 to coincide with the 40th anniversary of their peak Saturday Night Fever era, Timeless: The All-Time Greatest Hits brings together 21 of their most popular singles, including "I've Gotta Get a Message to You," "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart," "How Deep Is Your Love," "Stayin' Alive," "Night Fever," "Tragedy," "Too Much Heaven," and "You Win Again
Work after the Bee Gees
After leaving the group, Petersen formed Humpy Bong with musician Jonathan Kelly. He later worked in music management with his wife, Joanne Newfield, and returned to performing with The Best of the Bee Gees. ABC reported that he appeared with the tribute group as recently as the Saturday before his death.
The tribute group’s announcement remembered him as a much-loved member of its troupe, valued for stories about Smiley, the original Bee Gees and his performances with the show. Petersen said of joining it: “I’m very pleased to be part of this great show to share my memories. It’s wonderful that these incredible songs live on”.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Spirits Having Flown, originally released in 1979, was the Bee Gees follow-up to the massive success of 1977's record-breaking Saturday Night Fever soundtrack
Rank #4
- COUNTRY: Canada
- RECORD NUMBER: TVLP 76015
- COVER GRADE: Very Good Plus (VG+)
- VINYL GRADE: Very Good Plus (VG+)
- TITLE: Love Collection
Rank #3
- Best Of Bee Gees was released in June 1969 and features a prime selection of the early hit singles that established the group's broad musical palette
Rank #2
- 2017 marks the 40th anniversary of one of the best selling soundtracks of all time, Saturday Night Fever
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