For many fans, the 2020 HBO documentary The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart was a moving tribute — a celebration of music, legacy, and the bond between brothers that helped shape the sound of a generation. But for Barry Gibb, the last surviving member of the legendary trio, watching that story unfold is simply too painful to bear.
“I can’t handle it,” Barry shared in interviews around the time of the film’s release. Though deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and respect shown in the documentary, he admitted that reliving the memories — especially of his brothers Robin, Maurice, and Andy Gibb, all of whom passed away far too soon — was more than his heart could take.
“I just can’t watch the rest of my family go,” he said. “It’s just too much. I can’t do it. I’m past it emotionally.”
Directed by Frank Marshall, the film takes a comprehensive look at the Bee Gees’ remarkable rise, their songwriting brilliance, and their enduring impact on pop culture. But it also doesn’t shy away from the personal loss and strained relationships that defined much of their later years. For Barry, those truths hit hard — because they’re not just part of musical history. They’re his family.
As fans, we often view legacy through the lens of admiration, but for Barry, the Bee Gees’ story is steeped in both triumph and tragedy. Watching it play back in detail — the highs of Saturday Night Fever, the heartbreak of sibling loss, the pressures of fame — would mean reopening wounds that have never fully healed.
Still, Barry has expressed deep appreciation for the documentary’s respectful handling of their story and has continued to honor his brothers through music, solo performances, and interviews. He carries their memory with him in every note he sings.
For the rest of us, the film is a gift — a chance to better understand the beauty, brilliance, and complexity of the Bee Gees. But for Barry Gibb, the story is still deeply personal. And some songs, no matter how beloved, are too painful to play again.