Michael Bublé’s Emotional Tribute to Barry Gibb: “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” at the Kennedy Center Honors
When Barry Gibb, the legendary frontman of the Bee Gees, gets misty-eyed and starts singing along as you perform his own song, you know you’ve created something unforgettable. That was the case when Michael Bublé took the stage at the 46th Kennedy Center Honors to sing one of the Bee Gees’ most timeless hits — the heartbreaking 1971 ballad “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.”
Michael had previously recorded the song in the studio, but this time, performing it directly for Barry made it deeply personal. As he began to sing, cameras caught Barry softly joining in at 0:56, his voice trembling with emotion. The sight of the music icon quietly singing along, lost in memory, was enough to move an entire audience to tears.
A Tribute Full of Love and Loss
By the time of the performance, Barry’s brothers — Robin, Maurice, and Andy Gibb — had all passed away. Yet as Barry sang along, his expression said everything: love, grief, gratitude, and the bittersweet joy of remembering their years together. You could see him revisiting a lifetime of harmonies, laughter, and shared success — a musical bond that even time and loss couldn’t break.
For Michael Bublé, the moment was just as profound. Singing one of his hero’s greatest songs directly to him was both a tribute and an honor. His rendition was gentle and heartfelt — faithful to the original, yet rich with his own warmth and sincerity. His voice soared through the theater, golden and reverent, carrying the legacy of a song that has touched generations.
Watch: Michael Bublé Performs for Barry Gibb at the Kennedy Center Honors
After the Kennedy Center uploaded the performance, fans flooded the comments section with praise for Michael’s heartfelt delivery. One viewer wrote, “I so wish Barry’s brothers were with him to hear this. Their music was the soundtrack of my youth.” Another added, “Michael sang that song with such genuine emotion. You could tell that Barry really appreciated it.”
The shared sentiment among fans was clear: this was more than a tribute performance — it was a moment of healing, connection, and respect between two artists united by a timeless piece of music.
The Song That Mended Hearts Across Generations
“How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” has long been one of the Bee Gees’ defining ballads. Written by Barry and Robin Gibb in a single afternoon, the song marked a reconciliation after a difficult period for the group. Released on May 28, 1971, as the lead single from their ninth studio album, Trafalgar, it became the Bee Gees’ first U.S. number one hit, topping charts in Canada and Malaysia as well.
The Bee Gees performed the song many times throughout their career, but one rendition stands above the rest — their emotional performance at their 1997 “One Night Only” concert in Las Vegas. It was a breathtaking display of harmony and brotherhood, and a reminder of how seamlessly their voices intertwined. Watching it today feels like being wrapped in nostalgia and love — the kind that only family can create.
Watch: Bee Gees Perform “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” (Live in Las Vegas, 1997)
Through Michael Bublé’s heartfelt tribute and Barry Gibb’s emotional reaction, the Kennedy Center performance reminded the world that some songs never age — they grow deeper with time. For Barry, it was a chance to remember his brothers. For Michael, it was an opportunity to honor his idol. And for everyone watching, it was proof that music — like love — can mend even the most broken of hearts.
Categories: Music Legends | Bee Gees | Michael Bublé | Kennedy Center Honors | Classic Hits | Emotional Performances
