Legendary Music Mogul Robert Stigwood Has Died

The man behind the careers of the Bee Gees and Cream, among others, was 81.

As well as becoming one of the rock world's most revered agents and managers, Stigwood also produced musicals like Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar, and movies including Saturday Night Fever and Grease.

The Australian began his long business friendship with Eric Clapton and Cream in the mid-1960s and produced the supergroup's self-titled debut album.

He also briefly worked with The Who before merging his Reaction Records label with NEMS, which was founded by the Beatles manager Brian Epstein. After Epstein’s sudden death, Stigwood formed the Robert Stigwood Organisation, where he managed the Bee Gees and oversaw Clapton‘s post-Cream career.

RSO also produced musical theatre hits like Hair, Oh! Calcutta!, Pippin and Evita.

Amid a string of hits, Stigwood was also the man behind film flops like 1978's Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, which featured the Bee Gees, and sequels to Saturday Night Fever and Grease.

He was also the brains behind the 1996 movie adaptation of Evita, which starred Madonna.