BEE Gees legend Robin Gibb has revealed how working with his son on a requiem for victims of the Titanic helped in his battle against cancer.

Mr Gibb, 62, who lives with wife Dwina in a mansion near St Mary’s Church, Thame, has been undergoing chemotherapy for liver cancer but he believes the project with his son Robin-John on The Titanic Requiem has given him a boost.

He admitted the disease had ‘taken a toll’ but said he had never felt seriously ill.

Mr Gibb added: “Music has come to my aid again. My work on Titanic spurred me on to good health – as has the chance to work with RJ.

“We are not just father and son when we work together, we are soul-mates. It so much reminds me of how things were with Barry and my late twin brother Maurice – we used to say we were one soul in three bodies.

“There is a creative freedom and uninhibited state that comes from working with a family member.

“Working on this album and with RJ has been a driving force.”

The Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, after hitting an iceberg and the requiem has been completed in time to mark the 100th anniversary of the disaster, in which about 1,500 people died.

Mr Gibb said he had been fascinated by the Titanic for most of his life and owned Titanic memorabilia so he was keen to compose the requiem, his classical debut, which was recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

And his lucky escape from the 1967 Hither Green rail crash in south London, in which 49 people died, had given him an insight into tragedy.

He said: “I don’t wish to go around saying I understand the Titanic tragedy because I lived through Hither Green, but I do think it is easier for me to walk in the victims’ shoes.”

Robin-John, 29, said: “The way we have done the requiem, it’s like a commemoration.

“We start with the launch and celebratory moments and the music takes us through the voyage into the accident.

“Finally a piece of music honours and remembers the souls lost in the wake of the sinking.”

Mr Gibb’s wife Dwina said: “This project has been amazing. He and RJ are so talented and they are both history buffs – it has been especially nice for Robin to work with RJ.”

  • The Titanic Requiem features a new Robin Gibb song called Don’t Cry Alone released on March 19. The world premiere concert is due to take place at Central Hall, Westminster, on April 10.