Family and fans have been paying tribute to Maurice Gibb, member of the legendary harmony group the Bee Gees, who has died aged 53.

"His love, enthusiasm and energy for life remain an inspiration to all of us. We will all deeply miss him," said a statement from his family.

Bee Gees music has been the soundtrack of my life since I was a teen... Mo you'll be sadly missed. Teri, United States

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The singer died in the early hours of Sunday morning in a Miami hospital after suffering a heart attack during emergency surgery for an intestinal blockage.

Gibb, together with Robin and Barry, was one of the biggest disco stars of the 1970s as part of the enduringly successful Bee Gees.

'Devastated'

Maurice briefly regained consciousness after his surgery and recognised a number of relatives, but his condition later deteriorated.

Robin, Barry, and Maurice's wife Yvonne, as well as the singer's children, were at his side when he died.

It's a shock, because we thought he was getting better David Most

"It's a huge shock to us all and completely unexpected...everyone is just devastated," Pete Bassett, a spokesman for Gibb's twin brother, Robin, said.

"There's just complete and utter shock. This is an unbelievable blow," Mr Bassett said.

DJ David Jensen told BBC Breakfast: "Maurice's backing vocals created the Bee Gees' sound.

"The band have a heck of a legacy for a career that spands four decades."

Former Bee Gees' drummer Blue Weaver said: "Maurice was a gentle, generous joker.

"He was a wonderful person full of life."

Paying tribute to his musical talent, he added: "He was the key vocalist. He made the Bee Gees sound.

"Maurice was the multi-instrumentalist for the band. He added so much to that sound."

Friend David Most, who has worked with the Bee Gees for 16 years said the world had lost a "treasured member" of the song-writing fraternity.

"It's a shock, because we thought he was getting better," Mr Most told ITV.

Music commentator Paul Gambaccini described his death as a "very sad loss".

"I'm afraid that this beautiful Bee Gee sound without him can never be produced again," he told the BBC.

'Shining light'

The Bee Gees performed as a group from an early age, impressing audiences in Manchester before the family emigrated to Australia.

The Bee Gees enjoyed their heyday in the 70s

One of their biggest periods was during the disco craze of the 1970s, largely thanks to their contribution to the film Saturday Night Fever starring John Travolta.

Bee Gees fans have been sending E-mail tributes to BBC News Online's tribute in their thousands since news of Maurice's death came early on Sunday morning.

"I cannot remember a time in my life when the Bee Gees weren't around. I was born knowing who Maurice, Robin and Barry were. I'm now at a complete loss," wrote US fan Pamela Floyd.

"A bright shining light now dimmed. Such pleasure from sounds and words. The world has lost another great craftsman," wrote Ian Stephenson in South Korea.

Writer Patrick Humphries said Maurice Gibb was a tremendous character.

"The great thing about the Bee Gees was that they were successful twice over. They recently had a greatest hits CD and they were one of the few acts that could fill two CDs of great songs.

"What made them unique was the vocal style but also the songwriting. It was a unique sound and their like won't be heard again"