Dennis Bryon has died at the age of 76, making him the second Bee Gees drummer to die in the past week.

The musician played with the band between 1973 and 1981 and died in Nashville on Thursday, November 14, just four days before the death of Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen, 78.

Dennis’ death was announced by fellow musician Blue Weaver, who played with Welsh Rock band Amen Corner.

She shared the devastating news on Facebook, expressing her shock and sadness: ‘I am lost for words right now… Dennis has passed away.

‘Kayte, Dennis’ wife just called me and asked if I would let all my friends and fans know. This was a huge shock.

‘Dennis has been my friend since we were in our first band when we were 15. His wonderful drumming will always Survive…’

Dennis Bryon has died at the age of 76, making him the second Bee Gees drummer to pass away in the past week (Photo taken in 1967)

The musician played with the band between 1973 and 1981 and died in Nashville on Thursday, November 14, just four days before the death of 78-year-old Colin ‘Smiley’ Petersen (pictured).

Colin, who played a pivotal role in the Bee Gees’ early success as the band’s original drummer, passed away on November 18.

He contributed immortal hits such as Massachusetts, To Love Somebody and Words.

His drumming was a vital element on many albums, including the groundbreaking Bee Gees’ 1st, and helped catapult the band to international fame.

He is survived by his ex-wife Joanne and sons Jaime and Ben.

Before his music career, Petersen made a splash as a child actor starring in the classic Australian film Smiley, a role that earned him his enduring nickname.

His transition from screen to stage has cemented his reputation as a versatile talent in two demanding industries.

Petersen recently reconnected with fans by attending The Best of the Bee Gees tribute show.

In a 2022 interview with Jason Barnard Weird Beer Podcastreflected on his time with the band, sharing rare insights into their creative process and unique drumming style.

In the interview, Petersen described the collaborative energy that defined the Bee Gees’ recording sessions: ‘We would often go into the studio without songs, which gave me a chance to experiment with tempos and rhythms.

‘These pieces had a real spontaneity to them because we worked on them as a group. We never recorded our tracks separately; Everything was done together, with the orchestra coming in later.’

Pictured: Top from left: Vince Melouney, Maurice and Barry Gibb, bottom, Robin Gibb, Colin Petersen

His drumming was a vital element on many albums, including the groundbreaking Bee Gees’ 1st, and helped catapult the band to international fame. Pictured circa 1967

But the registration process wasn’t always smooth.

‘Sometimes we’d spend hours in the studio and nothing would come together, so we’d pack up and try again another day. But when inspiration struck, we could knock out three support pieces in one night,’ he recalled.

Petersen also talked about his approach to drumming; he saw it as an extension of the music itself rather than an indication of technical skill.

‘I wasn’t the most technically gifted drummer but sometimes I think less is more. When you are limited you have to be creative; just like Chuck Berry who creates magic with a few chords. ‘For me it was always about serving the song.’

Before his musical career, Petersen made a splash as a child actor in the classic Australian film Smiley (1956); This role earned him his enduring nickname.

In an interview with Jason Barnard on The Strange Brew Podcast in 2022, he reflected on his time with the band, sharing rare insights into their creative process and unique drumming style. The group pictured here in 1967