A new collection of seven stamps to celebrate Sir Barry Gibb's musical career
Isle of Man Post Office is pleased to present a set of seven stamps to celebrate the peerless musical career and the tireless charitable work of superstar singer/songwriter/producer and Manxman Sir Barry Gibb.
With more than five decades at the top of the music industry, from the Bee Gees in the 1960s to his performance at Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage in 2017 and recent Greenfields album release, Sir Barry Gibb has enjoyed a peerless musical career which we celebrate in this landmark set of seven stamps.
We have worked closely with Barry to select these most personally-significant images from his life and career and the Bee Gees 1969 Cucumber Castle TV special, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band film and his Music Legend spot Glastonbury 2017 are particular highlights.
One of the most renowned and celebrated musicians of the modern era, Barry’s success with the Bee Gees included contributions to over a thousand film soundtracks and over 200 million albums to date, while as a solo performer his achievements include nine number one singles and a further sixteen as songwriter to add to umpteen awards and honours.
Barry (and the Gibb brothers) are famously from the Isle of Man, with roots firmly planted on the Island, the importance of their up-bringing still evidenced today by the title of his latest album, Greenfields. Barry has commented that the green fields referred to were those of the Isle of Man during their childhood. This postal issue is a tribute to Barry by the nation in which he was born. It recognises his Manx history, illustrious career and charitable work, in which he has been hugely generous with his time and talent to support numerous causes close to his heart.
A proud Manxman, Barry has commented: “I’m very proud of my Manx roots. I was born and bred on the ancient, mystical, magical Isle of Man, and I have very fond memories of growing up there, so to appear on a set of its stamps is not only a wonderful surprise, but also an honour and a privilege.”
There are seven stamps within the issue (2 x 1st, EU, large Letter, Rest of the World, 2 x USA), with each stamp featuring Sir Barry at various stages in his incredible musical career.
The full details of the images on the stamps are as follows:
Stamp 1: Barry Gibb during the filming of the Bee Gees 1969 TV Special Cucumber Castle (photograph by Mike Randolph /Paul Popper/Popperfoto via Getty Images).
Stamp 2: Barry Gibb posing for a portrait in the late 1970s during a photo session at his home in Miami, Florida USA (photograph by Ed Caraeff).
Stamp 3: On the set of the film Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Los Angeles, October 1977 (photograph by Michael Putland/Getty Images).
Stamp 4: Barry Gibb 1989 All For One Tour of Europe (photograph by Dennis O’Regan).
Stamp 5: The Ahoy in Rotterdam.
Stamp 6: Glastonbury Festival, England - June 25, 2017: Barry Gibb performs the ‘Legends’ slot at Worthy Farm, Pilton (photograph by Samir Hussein/Redferns).
Stamp 7: Barry Gibb performing at his home studio, 2019 (photograph by Desiree Prieto).
