Blair leads tributes to Robin Gibb

Former prime minister Tony Blair led tributes to his "great friend" Robin Gibb following the death of the Bee Gees star on Sunday night, after a lengthy fight with cancer.

Gibb, 62, sold more than 200 million records and notched up dozens of hits with brothers Maurice and Barry. He had been ill for many months with a serious bowel condition, and had battled pneumonia in addition to colon cancer.

Chart stars such as Mick Hucknall and Bryan Adams paid their respects to the "musical giant", who voiced hits such as Massachusetts. His death came just days after that of another major figure from the disco boom, Donna Summer.

Mr Blair said: "Robin was not only an exceptional and extraordinary musician and songwriter, he was a highly intelligent, interested and committed human being.

"He was a great friend with a wonderful open and fertile mind and a student of history and politics. I will miss him very much. My thoughts and prayers are with Dwina and all the family."

His family announced Gibb's death with "great sadness" on Sunday, and asked for privacy.

Broadcaster Paul Gambaccini dubbed him "one of the important figures in the history of British music".

The Bee Gees' song catalogue, which includes I've Gotta Get A Message To You, Lonely Days, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, How Deep Is Your Love and Stayin' Alive, led to their induction into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Gambaccini said: "Everyone should be aware that the Bee Gees are second only to Lennon and McCartney as the most successful songwriting unit in British popular music.

"Their accomplishments have been monumental. Not only have they written their own number one hits, but they wrote huge hit records for Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Celine Dion, Destiny's Child, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, the list goes on and on.

"What must also be said is Robin had one of the best white soul voices ever. He was singing lead on his first number one when he was 17, that was Massachusetts."

John Travolta, who danced his way to stardom in Saturday Night Fever to the Bee Gees' distinctive soundtrack, paid tribute to Gibb.

He said: "I thought Robin was one of the most wonderful people - gifted, generous and a real friend to everyone he knew. And we'll miss him."

Gibb had surgery on his bowel 18 months ago for an unrelated condition but a tumour was discovered and he was diagnosed with cancer of the colon and subsequently of the liver.

The singer fell into a coma last month after contracting pneumonia but his family later said he had "beaten the odds" just days after doctors said he "was in God's hands" and had a 10% chance of survival.

His twin brother Maurice died of a heart attack in 2003 following intestinal surgery, while his younger brother Andy, who was not part of the Bee Gees but a successful singer in his own right, died in 1988 from heart failure at 30.

Gibb's latest composition The Titanic Requiem, written with his son RJ, was given its world premiere in London in April, but he was too ill to attend. He lapsed into a coma shortly afterwards but amazed doctors by pulling out of it, although he was still seriously ill.

Gibb had also been a passionate campaigner in recent years to create a Bomber Command memorial.

The Bomber Command Association said it was "deeply saddened" by his death.

"Robin has been a magnificent champion of the Bomber Command Memorial Campaign and without his devoted support and commitment we would not be where we are today. His legacy will be his music; but so too his determination during his illness and from our perspective, his work as president of the Heritage Foundation which brought the memorial to life.

"It is a tragedy that Robin will not see the finished article. But Robin did his bit for all who served in Bomber Command and on the behalf of the veterans and the relatives of those who died in WWII, we would simply like to say, thank you."

Labour leader Ed Miliband said: "Robin Gibb will be remembered for his incredible gifts and his music career that spanned nearly four decades, but he was also always a passionate and committed supporter to the Labour Party.

"He will be missed by his family, friends and many people across the Labour movement."

Many people paid their respects online.

A statement posted by Sony Music said: "Thanks for the music."

Former deputy prime minister John Prescott wrote: "A good friend, a brilliant musician and a man who turned all of us into wannabe Travoltas."

Canadian rocker Adams said: "Very sad to hear about yet another great singer dying too young."

And former Simply Red star Hucknall wrote: "RIP Robin Gibb. A musical giant."

Gibb, a long-standing Labour supporter raised eyebrows in 2008 when he suggested then prime minister Gordon Brown let his hair down after a hard day running the country by turning on the stereo and blasting out Bee Gees disco classics.

"He listens to our music every day. Gordon likes our music and I like Gordon," he told The Times.

He appeared on party platforms during the 2005 election and even invited Tony Blair to stay at his Miami home. The pop star said that he got on with the former leader "like a house on fire".