Bee Gees - Memories Come Alive (Live 1971) (2021)

Australia held difficult memories for the Bee Gees. The country was their home, but a home that they had been forced to leave in order to find wider success. In 1967 the group had travelled to England, where their talent received greater appreciation than in Australia. Under the management of Robert Stigwood, a heavy schedule of television appearances, radio shows and concert tours saw the Bee Gees quickly ascend to international fame, although the accompanying pressure ultimately collapsed the band; by 1970, both Robin and Maurice Gibb had departed to pursue solo careers. The brothers eventually reformed and in 1971 recorded their ninth studio Album, Trafalgar. The album s lead single, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart gave the Bee Gees their first ever US number one, and a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group followed; in order to capitalise on the comeback success, the group was booked on a triumphant summer return to Australia, the first time back home since leaving nearly five years earlier. The Australian tour commenced on the 10th of July 1971 with the Gibb brothers joined by the group s new full-time drummer, Geoff Bridgford, and support guitarist Alan Kendall. The music was directed by Australian-born Bill Shepherd, who put together a 16-piece orchestra aimed at recreating the arrangements heard on Bee Gees studio recordings for a set-list that included all of the hits from the 67-71 golden era: New York Mining Disaster 1941, To Love Somebody, Holiday, I Can t See Nobody, Words, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, I Started A Joke, I ve Gotta Get A Message To You, Massachusetts and Lonely Days. The performances were rapturously received, with this show on the 15th of July at The Festival Hall in Melbourne being broadcast by ABC, capturing the Bee Gees at their very best during the first great phase in the band s history.