Bee Gees' Robin Gibb remembered by Tony Blair, Ringo Starr and others

Robin Gibb sings during the Energy Globe World award ceremony hosted by the European Parliament in Brussels April 11, 2007.

/ Getty Images

(CBS/AP) One day after he succumbed to cancer, Bee Gee Robin Gibb was hailed in his native Britain Monday as a master musician whose interests went far beyond the recording studio.

The distinctive singer, who wrote and arranged numerous hits for other major artists, was also recognized for his work on behalf of British veterans and his interests in politics, history and the Titanic.

Pictures: Robin Gibb 1949-2012
Read more: Bee Gees' Robin Gibb dies at 62

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, a longtime friend of Gibb, said the singer had a "wonderful open and fertile mind" and offered condolences to Gibb's widow, Dwina, and their family.

"Robin was not only an exceptional and extraordinary musician and songwriter, he was a highly intelligent, interested and committed human being," Blair said.

Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, whose band competed against the Bee Gees for top chart spots in the 1960s, praised Gibb's musical legacy.

"The Bee Gees from our era were quite important, especially the harmonies," Starr said Monday. "He had a great voice and they wrote great songs."

Here's what others said after Gibb's passing at the age of 62:

Very sad about #RobinGibb - top guy, wonderful singer, and one of Britain's greatest ever musical success stories.RIP

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 21, 2012

Sorry to hear about the passing of Robin Gibb of the BeeGees. Our condolences to his friends and family: eonli.ne/LjTR6T

— Duran Duran (@duranduran) May 20, 2012

Robin Gibb RIP. Very sad to hear about yet another great singer dying too young.

— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) May 20, 2012

RIP Robin Gibb. Continues to sadden me to see cancer take our loved ones. Gotta put a stop to it.

— Lance Armstrong (@lancearmstrong) May 21, 2012

R.I.P Robin Gibb

— Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) May 20, 2012

Robin Gibb RIP. The Bee Gees were so important to pop music. Huge loss.

— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) May 21, 2012

song of the day: I STARTED A JOKE - THE BEE GEES (R.I.P. ROBIN GIBB)

— Rob Thomas (@ThisIsRobThomas) May 21, 2012

So sad to hear about the loss of Robin Gibb, my prayers to his loved ones! R.I.P.

— boygeorge (@BoyGeorge) May 21, 2012

So sad to hear of the loss of The Bee Gee's, @RobinGibb, Another legend lost. Our hearts go out to Barry Gibb and Robin's entire family

— HANSON (@hansonmusic) May 21, 2012

R.I.P Robin Gibb..Big Bee Gees fan! Wrote so many great songs too..Our Disco stars are off to perform in the big club upstairs! #NightFever

— Mario Lopez (@MarioLopezExtra) May 21, 2012

24 Photos

Robin Gibb: 1949-2012

[samXXkiley]

coucou,
Am so saddened, a great artist died, Robin, always will be in our hearts, my condolences to his family, may he rest in peace.
"au revoir"