Bees Gees To Be Honored At Variety Club Dinner
Dianne Bourne

.IT'S hard to believe it's been so long, but 2009 marks 50 years since megastars The Bee Gees first began their career in showbiz as three young brothers.

And I can reveal that Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb are heading back to home turf in Manchester to receive a special award in their landmark year.

The band, who mourned the tragic loss of brother Maurice Gibb in 2003, is to be honoured by showbiz charity the Variety Club with its highest accolade, the Silver Heart Tribute Award, in honour of their outstanding services to the music industry over the last half century.

And it's set to be an emotional family gathering for Barry and Robin, with the lads' 88-year-old mum Barbara, Maurice's wife Yvonne and a host of family members and friends likely to attend. The Gibb family grew up in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, before emigrating to Australia - and it was there they first found fame as a vocal group.

They, of course, went on to worldwide acclaim with smash hits like Stayin' Alive, Night Fever and Tragedy, but they've never forgotten their Manchester roots and Barry even bought his childhood home on Keppel Road in Chorlton in 2002.

When they return to Manchester for the award bash on July 24, a film crew will be in tow, as I hear Barry and Robin are to be part of a documentary about their many successful decades in showbiz.

And 500 fans will also get the chance to join in the celebrations, as tickets are on sale for guests to attend the gala dinner at Manchester's Palace Hotel.

The event has been organised by Lyn Staunton, Development Director for the Variety Club North West.

She says: "This event will be the highest profile Variety Club event of 2009. The Bee Gees are loved and respected worldwide and the Variety Club are honoured and delighted that they are accepting this prestigious award in their home city of Manchester.

"Because we knew they were celebrating 50 years in show business this year, we were especially keen to get everybody together for this event and it's set to be a fantastic night."

Money raised at the event will go to The Variety Club's charity work helping disabled and disadvantaged children in the north west.

The Bee Gees Variety Club tribute dinner is on July 24 at The Palace Hotel. To book tickets call Judi Davies at the Variety Club on 0161 236 0500 or email varietyclubnw@ btconnect.com