Robert Stigwood dead at 81: The Australian born entrepreneur produced film musicals Saturday Night Fever and Grease.
Robert Stigwood dead at 81
Robert Stigwood, the producer of 1970s hits Saturday Night Fever and Grease, has died at the age of 81. The Australian also produced a number of successful musicals, and guided the career of the Bee Gees and the solo career of Eric Clapton.
On stage, Stigwood produced the stage musicals Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as Evita, Sweeney Todd and Pippin, along with film musicals Jesus Christ Superstar, Tommy and Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Spencer Gibb, son of Bee Gees member Robin wrote on his official Facebook page:
I would like to share the sad news with you all, that my godfather, and the longtime manager of my family, Robert Stigwood, has passed away. A creative genius with a very quick and dry wit, Robert was the driving force behind The Bee Gees career, as well as having discovered Cream, and subsequently managing Eric Clapton. He was also of course, the creator of the movies Saturday Night Fever and Grease, and many Broadway musicals with Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. RSO Records pretty much defined the late 70’s. Of course, his biography is very extensive and can easily be found online…..I would like to thank Robert for his kindness to me over the years as well as his mentorship to my family. “Stiggy”, you will be missed.
Tributes have poured in from around the world via Twitter, including from collaborators Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.
Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this time.
Robert Stigwood with ALW & Hal Prince at @OfficialEvita‘s opening night at @AdelaideFesCentre in 1980. #TeamALW. pic.twitter.com/0rkaITdSMF
— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) January 4, 2016
Farewell to the extraordinary innovative generous #RobertStigwood. A vital part of my life (& @OfficialALW‘s). Thanks for so much, Robert.
— Sir Tim Rice (@SirTimRice) January 5, 2016
