He is best known as a member of the singing/songwriting trio the Bee Gees, formed with his brothers Robin and Barry. The trio got their start in Australia, and found major success when they returned to England. The Bee Gees became one of the most successful pop groups of all time. According to britishhitsongwriters.com, he is the eleventh most successful songwriter in U.K. chart history based on weeks that his compositions have spent on the chart.

Maurice Gibb died at a Miami Beach, Florida, hospital on January 12, 2003 of complications resulting from a twisted intestine (volvulus). Following his death, his surviving brothers announced that they would no longer perform as the Bee Gees.