While they would never again match their Seventies success, but would find new fans - and a great deal of money - as boybands and new pop groups fell over themselves to cover Bee Gees tunes.

BBC: The Bee Gees - five decades of hits together

"Historically it's always been American boybands who have led the way, going back to the end of the 80s and the early 90s with the likes of New Edition, New Kids On The Block, BackStreet Boys and N-Sync, " said Mr Williams.

BBC: One Direction top US album charts