It started with a smile… and ended in stunned silence, hands over faces, and uncontrollable laughter.
When the Bee Gees sat down for a cozy 1983 interview on The Late, Late Breakfast Show, they thought it would be just another lighthearted chat. But Noel Edmonds had other plans — and what happened next shocked the iconic trio on live television.
With a sly grin, Edmonds teased, “We found this little piece of old film from Australian television…” Moments later, a grainy black-and-white clip from 1960 flickered onto the studio screen — revealing 13-year-old Barry Gibb and his 10-year-old twin brothers Robin and Maurice, wide-eyed and performing their original song “Time Is Passing By” in matching bowties.
The brothers froze.
Barry burst into embarrassed laughter, burying his face in his hands.
Maurice wiped away tears — from laughing so hard.
Robin simply groaned: “Oh no!”
The Bee Gees had no idea the footage still existed. As the crowd laughed and applauded, it was a rare, unscripted moment of vulnerability for three superstars who had conquered the world of music.
Before the surprise reveal, the trio had charmed the audience with an a cappella version of “Lollipop”, then joined Edmonds for the sit-down. But nothing could prepare them for what Edmonds would spring on them — the moment they first appeared on television, broadcast back to them 23 years later.
“That’s the first song we ever sang on stage, so we thought we’d do that tonight,” Barry explained. Then Edmonds struck:
“But do you remember the second song?” he asked.
And then — boom — the tape rolled.
The footage, from the Australian show Desmond and the Channel 9 Pins, marked a defining moment in their early career — a time before fame, before disco, before tragedy. A time when they were just three brothers chasing a dream.
Fans still call it one of the most touching TV moments in Bee Gees history.
It reminded the world that even music legends have awkward beginnings — and that the road to superstardom is often paved with humble, heartfelt first steps.
