Jive Talkin’ are billed as the original and best Bee Gees tribute band and, like the originals, comprise family members. Gary Simmons as Barry and Darren Simmons as Maurice are brothers, whilst Jack Simmons, as Robin, is the former’s son.
Supported by a talented group of musicians, Leigh Fuge (guitar), Oscar Stone (drums), Chris Howell (cello) and Ruth Howell (violin), they are able to perform the Bee Gees’ incomparable songbook with remarkable authenticity, sincerity and no little humour.
After a short audio montage of Bee Gees news clips describing the band’s history, the lights went up and Jive Talkin’ launched into ‘You Should Be Dancin’’ and the late-1990s hit ‘Alone’. Gary, looking like Barry Gibb but not in a comedic way, introduced the show and explained that the first half would consist mainly of the Bee Gees’ 1960s hits, with the second half focusing on the 1970s and beyond.
Jack, dressed as the later-era Robin Gibb, sang ‘Massachusetts’, during which he encouraged a very willing audience to join in the chorus. Now, Robin Gibb had a distinctive voice and performing style that is difficult to replicate. His operatic vibrato gave him a vulnerable yet powerful sound, and his signature gesture, cupping his right hand over his ear, particularly during emotive ballads, added another layer of expression. It’s fair to say Jack did more than simply impersonate Robin. His powerful voice retained that vibrato throughout the night, and his movements were unmistakably Robin’s. Like his uncle’s Barry, Jack’s Robin was sincere and respectful.
They ran through a litany of hits: ‘First of May’, Robin’s ‘I Started a Joke’, ‘To Love Somebody’ (a song they had performed with Barry Gibb), ‘Gotta Get a Message to You’ and ‘Come On Over’. Gary then spoke briefly about Andy Gibb, who passed away at the age of 30, before singing his ‘Don’t Throw It All Away’.
The deepest cut performed was ‘Ellan Vannin’, the traditional song of the Isle of Man where the Bee Gees were born. Another string of hits, including ‘How Can You Mend a Broken Heart’, ‘Run to Me’, ‘Words’ and ‘Lonely Days’, brought a hugely entertaining first set to a close.
Jive Talkin’ returned to the stage, now dressed in silver satin jackets and white trousers to represent the 1970s Gibb brothers. ‘Nights on Broadway’ was followed by two of the standout performances of the night: ‘Spirits Having Flown’, on which Gary absolutely nailed Barry Gibb’s high-pitched, breathy falsetto, and ‘Too Much Heaven’, during which Jack and Darren delivered precise harmonies.
The Saturday Night Fever songs ‘Stayin’ Alive’, ‘More Than a Woman’ and ‘How Deep Is Your Love’ were greeted rapturously by the audience, as was ‘Islands in the Stream’.
Jack sang Robin’s solo hit ‘Juliet’ before the trio performed a medley of songs acoustically, standing around a single microphone. Whether or not it was spontaneous or rehearsed I’m not sure, but they made each other laugh and had to restart a couple of times. This fitted perfectly with the humour of their on-stage repartee.
‘Secret Love’, ‘You Win Again’, ‘Night Fever’ and, of course, ‘Jive Talkin’’ brought the show to a close. The audience wanted more, so they returned to perform ‘Tragedy’.
At the end, the singers and musicians took their bows to Brotherhood of Man’s ‘Save Your Kisses for Me’, something that neatly typified the humour of the night. For Bee Gees fans looking for a live experience, Jive Talkin’ is a must-see, offering a truly unforgettable evening of note-perfect nostalgia.
Jive Talkin’s tour continues and details can be found here, https://www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/jive-talkin
Reviewer – Adrian Cork
On – 16.04.2026
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