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Colin “Smiley” Petersen, Original Bee Gees Drummer, Dies at 78

Colin “Smiley” Petersen, the original Bee Gees drummer who began as a child actor in the film Smiley, died at 78. His career continued with Humpy Bong, music management and a Bee Gees tribute show.
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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.”

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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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”.

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