Disc and Music Echo - 1968
Stigwood Describes Maurice"Maurice Gibb is the boy people tend to put in the background and yet his contribution is enormous because he is the arranging brain and the multi-instrumentalist of the group. Although his singing is usually restricted to singing harmonies on the choruses, in the studios his part is enormous. He plays bass, piano, organ, Melltron, rhythm and is now lead guitarist. Added to all this, his rapport with the two other brothers Gibb is incredible too. The way he can translate the songs they've written into the right field for recording amazes me. It's because of this that the other two can come into a recording studio and write a song and then Maurice will instantly arrange it for immediate recording.
As a person, perhaps he's the easiest of the Gibb brothers to get on with since he is always a cheerful person. He's not as moody as Robin, for example, and he's also quite mature. As an example, on a date, when the police lose control of the crowd, Robin will get frightened, yet Maurice will merely laugh about it.
Maurice is great company as he is so easy going and he is a splendid host. I'm proud of the way he and Lulu look after people who come round to see them. His marriage will be very good for him. The additional responsibilty will help to settle him down and Lulu's such a level-headed person. they make a perfect couple even though that sounds corny and, most important of all, he's very much in love with her.
He's out of his raving stage now. As many people know, he used to drink too much. It didn't affect his work, mind you, but he has cut down now. He's gregarious. He loves meeting people and he's fond of touring, probably for the same reason. He and Colin are both keen, whereas Barry and Robin dislike touring. He is also rather an extravagant person. He likes buying clothes and spends too much. In dress, though, he has developed tremendous good taste and for 19 years of age, has become remarkably poised. He is also terribly generous to his family and friends.
Really, Maurice is totally different from his twin brother and yet the three Gibbs are fantastically close.
Of course, they argue like mad and anybody who bursts upon them in the middle of a row would think they were about to murder each other. But two minutes later they are as thick as thieves and the closeness between them is the tremendous thing in their ability for developing harmony on the records.
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