"The family of Robin Gibb, of the Bee Gees, announce with great sadness that Robin passed away today following his long battle with cancer and intestinal surgery. The family have asked that their privacy is respected at this very difficult time," said Doug Wright, a family spokesman.
The singer, songwriter and disco icon underwent surgery in 2010 to treat a twisted bowel. It was a congenital condition that killed his twin brother and fellow Bee Gee, Maurice, in 2003.
In January of this year, Robin Gibb's spokesman announced that doctors had found a growth in his colon. However, the singer was responding well to treatment despite his severe weight loss. The singer said his doctors had been amazed by his recovery.
The Bee Gees were British-born, Australia-raised brothers who were one of most successful pop groups of all time. They sold more than 200 million albums and won seven Grammy Awards, including one in 1979 for the "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack. The soundtrack came to epitomize the flashy disco era. They were later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Robin Gibb's falsetto harmonies helped power such hits as "Stayin' Alive" and "Night Fever."
ABC News contributed to this report.
