Music Legend Robert Stigwood Dead at 81
Helped shape some of the most iconic musicals, and music, of the twentieth century
TIME Staff
The music world has lost one of its legendary figures with the passing at 81 of Australian impresario Robert Stigwood.
Reuters says that a cause of death has not yet been given for Stigwood, whose career achievements include producing roles on some of the greatest musicals of the twentieth century — from Jesus Christ Superstar to Hair — as well as management of top acts from the Bee Gees to Eric Clapton and Cream.
Stigwood’s godson Spencer Gibb, who is the son of late Bee Gee vocalist Robin Gibb, broke the news on Facebook Tuesday, according to Reuters. “My godfather, and the longtime manager of my family, Robert Stigwood, has passed away,” he wrote.
The Australian’s midas touch proved particularly fruitful in the late-1970s, when he produced global hit movies Saturday Night Fever and Grease. He remained professionally active into the 1990s, with his last screen credit as producer of the 1994 movie Evita, according to Rolling Stone.
Dave Benett—Getty Images
Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb with Robert Stigwood at Barry Gibb’s 50th Birthday In London in 1996
