And that band just got two new lead singers! Couples skate!

The passing this week of Donna Summer and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees not only chips away at the collective childhood memories of those of us born in the 1970s – I know now how my parents felt when David Ruffin of The Temptations died – but means the silencing of two of the most unique voices in popular music. Whether you like disco or believe it to be the soundtrack of the seventh circle of Hell, Summer and Gibb were undoubtedly easy to recognize on the radio – and they’re still heard. Probably right now.

Summer’s rich kiss of a vocal instrument remains an elegant landmark in a genre considered tacky by some - her strong mezzo-soprano graced everything from rock to opera to classical. And while many singers since have done “Last Dance” or “Heaven Knows” or “Bad Girls,” no one else sounded like Donna Summer. She had a sensual yearning intertwined with a rare confidence that informed her breathy declarations of carnal need (“I Feel Love”), her provocative character studies (“Bad Girls,” “She Works Hard For The Money”) or her girl power anthems (“No More Tears,” in which I have always maintained that she outsang Barbra Streisand. I’m open to argument but you’ll never convince me otherwise.) She was at once vulnerable and empowered, full of stark, knowing lust and the most romantic, heart-filling love. Before there was a Mariah Carey or a Whitney Houston, Donna Summer established herself as the queen of the deceptively easy power belt. That is to say, future singerlings, that just because you can approximate all of the runs doesn’t mean you’re getting it right. It’s harder than it looks. Donna was a genius. Don’t feel bad that you can’t do what she did. Few could.

Robin Gibb was the impossibly high top of the Bee Gees’ three-part harmony, accomplishing something incredible: He had an impeccably controlled falsetto. Falsetto is hard – ask any real singer – because it is above one’s natural or chest voice, and it’s difficult sometimes to maintain it, in tune, without sounding strained or like the audible results of a popped balloon. I know a lot of people  couldn’t stand Gibb’s voice, or those of his brothers, because of how high it was. Some people thought it wasn’t masculine – I disagreed, because I think it takes a lot of confidence, no matter what your sexuality, to sing that high. Again, there’s a vulnerability to it, even as you’re commanding people that they should be dancing, or declaring that you’re staying alive. Robin, particularly, has been in my heart since the death of his brother Maurice, because they were twins, and as a twin, I can’t imagine the loss of my sister without imagining my vocal cords being removed. I could live without them, but something would be missing in my very essence. Robin Gibb kept singing, but I can’t imagine he didn’t yearn for that voice that was supposed to be melding with his. My heart goes out to remaining Bee Gee Barry. Brothers and sisters are magic.

Also magic: What’s been known as “disco” music, although some of its purveyors prefer to call it dance music. And I understand – I can’t think of any genre that’s been so vilified, except maybe rap – I HATE those commercials for radio stations that proclaim “No Rap” as a pride point, as if no other genre has ever been objectionable.  But disco, of course, was attacked to the point that people were bulldozing records, and I do believe that while some people just didn’t like the sometimes monotonous beat or what seemed like silly, inane lyrics or toothless subject matter as compared to the socially-conscious protest songs of the 1960s or the loud, crunchy expression of a hard rock guitar.

But I’ve always thought disco had a lot of worth, and not just because there’s nothing more basic or natural than moving your body to music. It’s because there WAS a social context to the music, in its black and Latin and gay roots. It’s an urban music, a music born of a melding of cultures and a flavor of sensuality, of a hot summer day when there was nothing left to do to relieve the burden of the steaming sidewalks and the overcrowded pressing-in of your reality and express yourself with your arms, your legs, your rhythmically bobbing head. It was sex and strength and fun and love and pride, a music that encouraged you to take the thing that most defined you and exaggerate it, whether it was your chest hair or your billowing Afro or your sexuality.

Or your otherworldly voice. Disco, or dance, or whatever you wanna call it, had a lot of artifice. But it didn’t hide. And the voices of Robin Gibb and Donna Summer were impossible to hide, too. I’ll miss them both.

With his carefully tended hair, tight trousers and perfect harmonies, Robin Gibb, along with his brothers Maurice and Barry, defined the disco era. As part of the Bee Gees — short for the Brothers Gibb — they created dance floor classics like “Stayin Alive,” “Jive Talkin’,” and “Night Fever” that can still get crowds onto a dance floor.

The catchy songs, with their falsetto vocals and relentless beat, are familiar pop culture mainstays. There are more than 6,000 cover versions of the Bee Gees hits, and they are still heard on dance floors and at wedding receptions, birthday parties, and other festive occasions.

Robin Gibb, 62, died Sunday “following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery,” his family announced in a statement released by Gibb’s representative Doug Wright. “The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time,” it said.

The Bee Gees, born in England but raised in Australia, began their career in the musically rich 1960s but it was their soundtrack for the 1977 movie “Saturday Night Fever” that sealed their success. The album’s signature sound — some called it “blue-eyed soul” — remains instantly recognizable more than 40 years after its release.

The album remains a turning point in popular music history, ending the hard rock era and ushering in a time when dance music ruled supreme. It became one of the fastest-selling albums of all time with its innovative fusion of harmony and pulsing beats. The movie launched the career of a young John Travolta whose snake-hipped moves to the sounds of “You Should Be Dancing” established his reputation as a dancer and forever linked his image to that of the Bee Gees.

Click here to post a tribute to Mr. Gibb

Despite financial success, Robin Gibb and his brothers endured repeated tragedies. Maurice died suddenly of intestinal and cardiac problems in 2003. Their younger brother Andy Gibb, who also enjoyed considerable chart success as a solo artist, had died in 1988 just after turning 30. He suffered from an inflamed heart muscle attributed to a severe viral infection.

Robin Gibb himself took care of his health and, at the time of his death, was a vegan who did not drink alcohol.

Gibb was for decades a familiar figure on the pop stage, starting out in the 1960s when the Bee Gees were seen as talented
Beatles copycats. They sounded so much like the Beatles at first that there were strong rumors that the Bee Gees’ singles were really the Beatles performing under another name.

Many late-’60s bands were quickly forgotten, but the Bee Gees transformed themselves into an enduring A-List powerhouse with the almost unbelievable, and certainly unexpected, success of the song “Stayin’ Alive” and others from the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack that accompanied the movie.

With this second wind, the Bee Gees sold more than 200 million records and had a long string of successful singles, making their way into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

“Saturday Night Fever” — actually a compilation album featuring the Bee Gees but including songs by other performers — represented the pinnacle of Gibb’s career, but he enjoyed more than 40 years of prominence as a Bee Gee, as a solo artist, and as a songwriter and producer for other artists.

The Bee Gees consisted of Barry Gibb, the eldest, and twins Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb. Their three-part harmonies became their musical signature, particularly in the disco phase, when Barry’s matchless falsetto often dominated, and they were renowned for their wide-ranging songwriting and producing skills.

The Gibbs were born in England on the Isle of Man, an island in the Irish Sea, but moved to Australia with their parents in 1958 when they were still quite young and began their musical career there. They had been born into a musical family, with a father who was a drummer and bandleader and a mother who liked to sing.

After several hits in Australia, their career started to really take off when they returned to England in 1967 and linked up with promoter Robert Stigwood.

After several hits and successful albums, Robin Gibb left the group in 1969 after a series of disagreements, some focusing on whether he or Barry should be lead vocalist. He released some successful solo material — most notably “Saved by the Bell” — before rejoining his brothers in 1970 and scoring a major hit with “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.”

The Gibbs then suffered some slack years — searching for a style that could sustain them in the post-Beatles era — and Barry Gibb started experimenting with falsetto vocals, first on backup, and then in the lead position.

The brothers were at a low point when they went into a French studio to try to come up with some songs for the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack at the urging of Stigwood.

The success of those tunes — closely linked to the popularity of the movie, and the power of the disco movement — changed their lives forever, giving them a string of number one hits.

After several years of chart success, the Gibbs spent much of the 1980s writing songs and producing records for other artists, working closely with top talents such as Barbra Streisand, Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross and Dolly Parton. They also continued touring and releasing their own records.

Gibb also released more solo albums, including “Secret Agent,” during this period.

The band continued in the 1990s, gaining recognition for their body of work with induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Then came Maurice’s sudden death in 2003. The surviving brothers announced that the name Bee Gees would be retired with Maurice Gibb’s death, although Robin and Barry did collaborate on projects and Robin Gibb continued his solo career and extensive touring despite mounting health problems.

He had to cancel several engagements in 2011, including one with British Prime Minister David Cameron, and he showed an alarming weight loss on his rare public appearances. He was hospitalized briefly in 2011 with what doctors said was an inflamed colon and had surgery for intestinal problems in March, 2012.

One of his final projects was “The Titanic Requiem,” a classical work he co-wrote with his son Robin-John, that the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra premiered in April to mark the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.
Robin Gibb remained emotionally attached to the Isle of Man, keeping a house there as well as homes in rural Oxfordshire, England, and Miami.

He also became involved with numerous charities and worked to establish a permanent memorial to the veterans of Britain’s World War II Bomber Command and recorded songs honoring British veterans.

Gibb is survived by his second wife, Dwina, and four children, as well as his older brother, fellow Bee Gee Barry Gibb, and his sister Lesley Evans, who lives in Australia.

May 20: Singer Joe Cocker is 68. Singer-actress Cher is 66. Actor Dave Thomas is 63. Musician Warren Cann of Ultravox is 60. Actor Dean Butler (“Little House on the Prairie”) is 56. Guitarist Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go’s is 54. Actor Bronson Pinchot is 53. Singer Susan Cowsill of The Cowsills is 53. Actor John Billingsley (“Enterprise”) is 52. Actor Tony Goldwyn is 52. Singer Nick Heyward of Haircut 100 is 51. TV personality Ted Allen (“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”) is 47. Actress Mindy Cohn (“Facts of Life”) is 46. Guitarist Tom Gorman of Belly is 46. Rapper Busta Rhymes is 40. Bassist Ryan Martinie of Mudvayne is 37. Actor Matt Czuchry (“Friday Night Lights,” ”Gilmore Girls”) is 35. Singer-actress Naturi Naughton (3LW) is 28.

May 21: Singer Ron Isley of the Isley Brothers is 71. Guitarist Hilton Valentine of The Animals is 69. Actor Richard Hatch (“Battlestar Galactica”) is 67. Keyboardist Bill Champlin (Chicago) is 65. Actress Carol Potter (“Beverly Hills 90210,” ”Sunset Beach”) is 64. Singer Leo Sayer is 64. Comedian-turned-politician Al Franken is 61. Actor Mr. T is 60. Drummer Stan Lynch (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) is 57. Actor Judge Reinhold is 55. Actor Brent Briscoe (“Mulholland Drive,” ”A Simple Plan”) is 51. Actress Lisa Edelstein (“House”) is 46. Actress Fairuza Balk (“The Waterboy”) is 38. Singer-guitarist Mikel Jollet of Airborne Toxic Event is 38. Rapper Havoc of Mobb Deep is 38. Actress Ashlie Brillault (“Lizzie McGuire”) is 25. Actress Sarah Ramos (“American Dreams”) is 21.

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The Associated Press has discovered documents that show country music legend Loretta Lynn is three years older than she has led people to believe.

The documents show Lynn is 80, not 77.

The new age found in birth and marriage records call into question the story she told in “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

In that autobiography and the 1980 film, Lynn said she was married at 13. The new documents show she married just shy of her 16th birthday.

Lynn isn’t commenting. Her representative, Nancy Russell, says Lynn has said to her that it isn’t anyone’s business how old she is.

Donna Summer’s funeral will be a private one for family and close friends.

Publicist Brian Edwards said in a statement Friday that Summer’s family is overwhelmed and appreciates the outreach from fans and friends, but that her funeral services will remain private.

He didn’t provide details on when and where services would be held.

Summer died Thursday morning of lung cancer at age 63 in Naples, Fla. Edwards also said that the singer did not smoke.

Summer earned the title of Queen of Disco after releasing a string of dance hits in the 1970s, including “I Feel Love,” ”Love to Love You Baby” and “Last Dance.”

Grammy award-winning singer Chaka Khan will perform a tribute to the late Whitney Houston at the Apollo Theater’s gala and awards ceremony.

The historic Harlem theater confirmed Friday that the “I Feel for You” singer will perform in her friend’s memory.

Lionel Richie and the late Etta James will be inducted into the theater’s hall of fame during the June 4 gala. Soul Train creator Don Cornelius and songwriter Nick Ashford will also be honored posthumously.

Richie’s first Apollo appearance was in the early 1970s. The “Hello” singer says he’s thrilled to be chosen for the hall of fame.

James was known for ballads like “At Last.” She performed at the Apollo in 1957 and again in the 1960s.

Past inductees include Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Aretha Franklin.

Scores of Christian youths in the Philippines chanted “Stop the Lady Gaga concerts” at a rally Friday calling for the pop diva’s shows here to be canceled despite assurances from authorities that they won’t allow nudity and lewd acts.

Sold-out crowds and angry protests followed Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” Asian tour. Fans younger than 18 were banned from the Seoul concerts over complaints her lyrics and costumes were too sexually provocative, and she was denied a concert permit in Indonesia by police under pressure from Islamic hard-liners.

About 70 members of a group called Biblemode Youth Philippines rallied in front of the Pasay City Hall in metropolitan Manila. They said they were offended by Lady Gaga’s music and videos, in particular her song “Judas,” which they say mocks Jesus Christ.

Lady Gaga has secured papers for two concerts Monday and Tuesday, but Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto said he told organizers to ensure that “they follow the rules and regulations stipulated in the concert permit earlier provided by the city government.”

“Although we respect artistic and musical expressions, I won’t allow anyone or any group to provide acts which may be questionable in a way at any venue under my jurisdiction,” he said in a statement. “We reminded the producers of Lady Gaga’s concert that the show and the event as a whole shall not exhibit any nudity or lewd conduct which may be offensive to morals and good customs.”

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Van Halen is postponing some dates on its summer concert tour.

A source familiar with the tour who was not authorized to speak publicly confirmed that some of the band’s long-scheduled performances this summer will be postponed. The group’s website lists tour dates through June 26.

Dozens of additional shows had been planned and there was no immediate reason given for the cancellations. Representatives of the band and AEG, which is promoting the concerts in some regions, did not respond to messages from The Associated Press on Thursday.

LOS ANGELES — Reaction to the death Thursday of singer Donna Summer, who was 63:

“So shocking to hear about the passing of Donna Summer. In the 70s, she reigned over the disco era and kept the disco jumping. Who will forget “Last Dance.” A fine performer and a very nice person.” — Aretha Franklin.

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“I was shocked to hear about Donna. She was so vital the last time I saw her a few months ago. I loved doing the duet with her. She had an amazing voice and was so talented. It’s so sad.” — Barbra Streisand.

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“Rest in Peace dear Donna Summer. Your voice was the heartbeat and soundtrack of a decade.” — Quincy Jones, via Twitter.

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NEW YORK — Like the King of Pop or the Queen of Soul, Donna Summer was bestowed a title fitting of musical royalty — the Queen of Disco.

Yet unlike Michael Jackson or Aretha Franklin, it was a designation she wasn’t comfortable embracing.

“I grew up on rock ‘n’ roll,” Summer once said when explaining her reluctance to claim the title.

Indeed, as disco boomed then crashed in a single decade in the 1970s, Summer, the beautiful voice and face of the genre with pulsating hits like “I Feel Love,” ”Love to Love You Baby” and “Last Dance,” would continue to make hits incorporating the rock roots she so loved. One of her biggest hits, “She Works Hard for the Money,” came in the early 1980s and relied on a smoldering guitar solo as well as Summer’s booming voice.

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