Internationally known recording artist and paintball player Maurice Gibb passed away at the age of 53 in a Miami hospital early this morning.

Gibb collapsed in his Miami home and was rushed to the hospital last Thursday.  Surgery was performed to repair an intestinal blockage, and Gibb was reported in critical condition following the surgery.  According to news reports Gibb suffered a heart attack prior to the surgery, which complicated his condition.

From an early age Gibb sang together with his twin brother Robin and older brother Barry.  After breaking up and then reforming as a band the trio gained international stardom and became icons of the disco era with the sound track to “Saturday Night Fever.”

All three brothers have been residents of the Miami, Florida area since the 1970s, and Gibb in recent years began playing paintball.  Gibb was spotted at the 2000 World Cup purchasing equipment in the event’s trade show.

In 2001 he began taking tournament paintball seriously and formed the Royal Rat Rangers who made their tournament debut at the 2001 NPPL/PSP Paintball World Cup.  The team, led by “Captain Mo,” went on to compete in other tournaments including the Pan Am Circuit and Beyond 2002, and even took part in the action at an MXS scenario game in Fort Meyers, Florida. 

Despite his international fame, Gibb drew little attention to himself at paintball events.  He simply played the game.  He did however look for ways to use his connections in the music and entertainment industries to expand the sport of paintball. 

“I want to be able to use my status to help show the rest of the world that paintball is a real sport,” Gibb told WARPIG.com.  Over the past year, he had been planning for the Commander’s Cup, a huge paintball tournament designed for television presence augmented with live musical performances.  Gibb also owned Commander Mo’s a paintball pro shop in Miami, Florida. 

Gibb is survived by his wife Yvonne and two children.  He will be missed by his teammates and friends in the sport.  The staff of WARPIG.com is praying for those grieving their loss.

The Commander's Cup was dedicated to Maurice after his death.