Prominent Australian music magnate Robert Stigwood died Monday at the age of 81. Born on April 16, 1934, the executive was known for juggling a number of roles such as being the genius behind the legendary Eric Clapton and the Bee Gees and producing musicals that left their respective marks in the industry, such as "Saturday Night Fever" in 1977 and "Grease" in 1978.
Spencer Gibb, the son of Robin Gibb, initially announced Stigwood's passing on Facebook.
"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," Gibb said, according to Fox News.
"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," he added.
Andrew Lloyd Webber expressed his grief, as well.
Farewell beloved Robert, the great showman who taught me so much. With love, ALW.
— Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) January 4, 2016
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
It was during the 1960s in London when Stigwood began building his career in music by co-founding a management company with Joe Leyton and Joe Meek, a pop producer at the time. The initial plan did not go so well, but in 1966, it paved the way for Stigwood to put up Stigwood's Reaction Records (SRO) and becoming the booking agent and for the then unknown, The Who, Rolling Stone reported. He then proceeded to promote Eric Clapton, Cream, and eventually the Bee Gees in 1967.
Stigwood became a known character in his era and was tagged by Newsweek as "the Ziegfeld of the disco age," according to The New York Times.
