Brothers who began career in cinema

Here are some key facts about the award-winning band the Bee Gees.

:: The Bee Gees comprised Maurice, his twin brother Robin and their elder brother Barry.

:: They began performing together when the twins were just six and Barry was nine, singing cover versions of hit songs at their local cinema in Manchester.

:: The group initially achieved stardom in Australia, where the Gibb family emigrated in 1958.

:: Spicks & Specks became their first number one record in 1966, hitting the top spot in Australia.

:: They went on to have more than 60 hit singles, including five which went multi-platinum.

:: The Bee Gees were nominated for Grammy Awards on 16 occasions, and won seven times.

:: The group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1994.

:: Artists who covered their songs include Elvis Presley, Al Green, Janis Joplin, Steps, and Take That.

:: The group also wrote a number of major hit songs for other artists including Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Celine Dion, Destiny's Child, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.