Sir Barry Honoured by Kennedy Centre

The island’s greatest export, Sir Barry Gibb, is to be celebrated with a Kennedy Center Honor.

Organised by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the awards recognise artists who have made profound contributions to the cultural life of America.

Having formed the Bee Gees with his brothers Maurice and Robin, Sir Barry has gone on to sell over 220,000,000 records and written 21 number one hits.

Among the iconic hits he has written for others are Islands in The Stream, Chain Reaction and the title song from Grease!

Sir Barry said: ‘This is a wonderful honor! It’s hard to be proud and humble at the same time. It is one of the most special moments in my life and something that I will always cherish. When I think back over 50 years to our beginnings in Redcliffe, Queensland, I could never have expected this to happen in my life.

‘Receiving the Kennedy Center Honors is something that everyone hopes might happen one day. I’ve often thought about but never dreamed it could come true. Thank you to all those who made this dream a reality. I wish my brothers were here so that they could’ve shared in this special moment.’

“This is a wonderful honor! When I think back over 50 years to our beginnings in Redcliffe, Queensland, I could never have expected this to happen in my life. —@GibbBarry, singer-songwriter & member of the @BeeGees

Meet all your 46th Honorees at https://t.co/omAfV68lkU #KCHonors pic.twitter.com/yk1Pcbywly

— The Kennedy Center (@kencen) June 22, 2023