Bee Gees pop star Maurice Gibb died early on Sunday morning, his family announced in London.

A statement released by his family said: "It is with great sadness and sorrow that we announce the passing of Maurice Gibb this morning. His love and enthusiasm and energy for life remain an inspiration to all of us. We will all deeply miss him."

The 53-year-old bass player and singer with the British group suffered a heart attack on Thursday while undergoing emergency abdominal surgery after collapsing at his home in Miami, Florida.

Along with twin brother Robin and older brother Barry, Gibb founded the Bee Gees in 1958.

The twins and their older brother lived in South Florida since the late 1970s. Their younger brother, Andy, who had a successful solo career, died in 1988 at age 30 from a heart ailment.

Known for their close harmonies and original sound, the Bee Gees are members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and their 1977 contributions to the Saturday Night Fever album made it the best selling movie soundtrack ever with more than 40 million copies sold.