All at Variety, the Children’s Charity, were very sad to hear the news this morning of the passing of Robin Gibb. Our thoughts are with Robin’s family and friends at this time. The Bee Gees are great supporters of Variety and in 2009 we held a very special evening in Manchester where Barry and Robin, plus the late Maurice Gibb’s wife Yvonne, received our prestigious Silver Heart Awards.

Variety bestowed our highest accolade the Variety Silver Heart Tribute award to the international recording artistes, “The Bee Gees” for their outstanding contribution to the music industry on their 50th Anniversary on the 24th July 2009.

The Silver Heart Awards dinner was the highest profile Variety event of 2009 and took place in Manchester, at the Palace Hotel, UK, the home city of “The Bee Gees”. Many celebrities from the world of entertainment such as Sir Tim Rice, Paul Gambaccini, Mike Read, Ronan Keating, PP Arnold, Joe Longthorne, Richard Fleeshman, David English, Jimmi Harkishan and many, many more were present on the night.

A V.I.P. reception was held prior to the event with an opportunity for very few chosen ticket holders to attend a cocktail reception with Barry Gibb CBE, Robin Gibb CBE, Maurice Gibb’s wife, Yvonne, their mother, Mrs Barbara Gibb, their VIP families and friends.

The prestigious Variety Silver Heart Tribute dinner included a sumptuous four-course dinner and international entertainment from Ronan Keating, PP Arnold, Richard Fleeshman, and the fantastic Joe Longthorne with his orchestra.

Invited to sing for the Bee Gees were two talented youngsters who support Variety and are big fans of the Bee Gees, 14 year olds, Izzi Feld and Shaun Walsh.

The audience on the night were spectacularly surprised when Barry and Robin picked up their guitars and performed six of their amazing hits. The audience were in raptures and the Palace Hotel became Las Vegas for one night only.

Barry and Robin Gibb’s performance was the most incredible highlight of the night and will be remembered for many years to come for everybody in the room.