Robert Stigwood, mentor to the Bee Gees, Eric Clapton and Cream, has died at the age of 81.

The announcement of the Australian-born music mogul’s death was made on Facebook by Spencer Gibb, son of Bee Gees band member Robin Gibb: “I would like to share the sad news with you all, that my godfather, and the longtime manager of my family, Robert Stigwood, has passed away,” going on to describe him as a “creative genius with a very quick and dry wit”.

Robert Stigwood launched the Bee Gees career in the UK and US in 1967, before producing Cream’s self-titled debut album. He continued to work with Eric Clapton on his solo career after Cream disbanded.

Robert Stigwood, who was born in South Australia, also produced the stage productions of Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as Evita. He also produced or co-produced film musicals Grease and Jesus Christ Superstar but undoubtedly Robert Stigwood’s most lasting film legacy will be the groundbreaking film of the Who’s rock opera Tommy, and the seminal Saturday Night Fever, which acted as a springboard for disco music and John Travolta’s film career while elevating the Bee Gees to global super stardom.

It is hard to conceive of a world without the Bee Gees and John Travolta’s white suit and disco dancing moves, but it is a fair assumption that without Robert Stigwood, this might well have been the case. RIP Richard.