Monty Brinton/CBSIt was taped back in February, but this Sunday night, you’ll finally be able to watch the star-studded special Stayin’ Alive: A Grammy Salute to the Music of The Bee Gees. The program features a variety of music stars, including sole surviving Bee Gees member Barry Gibb, performing many of the legendary group’s biggest hits.
The special marks the 50th anniversary of The Bee Gees’ first hit, as well as the 40th anniversary of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, which made them worldwide superstars. Executive producer Ken Ehrlich says the normally reclusive Barry agreed to the tribute because “he felt that it would be pretty wonderful for [the memories of] Maurice and Robin.”
Maurice and Robin Gibb, Barry’s younger twin brothers and band mates, died in 2003 and 2012, respectively. “That’s my mission, you know, to salute my brothers,” says Barry. “They know how much I miss ’em. I feel like I communicate with them.”
Among the many other stars that perform on the special are Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, disco veterans Tavares, John Legend, Ed Sheeran, Keith Urban, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Little Big Town and Pentatonix. Saturday Night Fever star John Travolta also makes a special appearance.
Dion’s performance is especially meaningful, because she sings “Immortality,” a song The Bee Gees wrote for her 1997 album Let’s Talk About Love. She says performing the song made her think of her late husband and brother, who both died in 2016.
“It’s a wonderful celebration of life and recognition of that music that’s been transporting us from generation to generation,” she says of the special. “Their music will never die.”
Here’s who’s singing what on A Grammy Salute to the Music of The Bee Gees, airing Sunday night on CBS:
Medley: “Stayin’ Alive,” “Tragedy” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “Night Fever” — Demi Lovato, Tori Kelly, Little Big Town, Andra Day
“To Love Somebody” — Keith Urban
“Massachusetts” — Ed Sheeran
“Lonely Days” — Panic! At The Disco
“Tragedy” — Tori Kelly
“How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” — John Legend & Stevie Wonder
“Islands in the Stream” — Kelsea Ballerini & Thomas Rhett
“Immortality” — Celine Dion
“Night Fever” — DNCE
“If I Can’t Have You” — Demi Lovato
“More than a Woman” — Jason Derulo & Tavares
“How Deep Is Your Love” — Little Big Town
“Love So Right” — Andra Day
“I Just Want to Be Your Everything” — Nick Jonas
“Too Much Heaven” — Pentatonix
“Emotion” — Katharine McPhee
“Jive Talkin'” — Barry Gibb
“You Should Be Dancing” — Barry Gibb
“Stayin’ Alive” — Barry Gibb & Ensemble
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