Billy Crystal, actor Queen Latifah, opera singer Renée Fleming, prolific hitmaker Dionne Warwick, and music star Barry Gibb were celebrated recently at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington D.C.
During the black-tie gala event, Barry, the co-founder and sole surviving member of the musical band Bee Gees, reminisced about the group and his late brothers and bandmates, Maurice and Robin, who sadly passed away in 2003 and 2012, respectively.
Barry Gibb says he is proud of the Bee Gees legacy
The 77-year-old fondly reminisced about his brothers and told People about the profound impact and lasting legacy that the Bee Gees have left on the world of entertainment. “I’m proud of my brothers and myself. I never think to myself, ‘It’s all about me,’” Barry said. “I’ve never thought that and what we all did together, when we were good, when we were on, that was something to be proud of.”
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Barry also shared that despite the death of his brothers, he still maintains a deep and unusual connection with them. “I would hear Robin sing one night and I would feel this like, ‘Wow, he’s flying tonight.’ So there was always that spiritual support and sometimes the same thing would happen with Norris,” he added. “And every time one of us excelled, the other two brothers had the backs. They knew it. They knew it, and they support. We supported each other.”
Barry Gibb says he felt the presence of his brothers at the Kennedy Center Honors
After his revelation about having a spiritual connection with his brothers, the interviewer inquired if he could feel their presence at the event. He answered affirmatively and confirmed they were indeed present.
Barry openly admitted that sensing their support played a significant role in bolstering his confidence while delivering his acceptance speech. “Yes, I do. Well, I thought they were with me last night. I felt that they were there. It’s very emotional because there’s something going on in the air and you just feel it. You just feel it,” he confessed to People. “I didn’t write a speech. I never write. I used to, but I don’t do that anymore. I just get up and say something and I don’t know what I’m going to say.”