Bill Withers, who wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time – including Lean On Me, Lovely Day and Ain’t No Sunshine – has died from heart complications his family said in a statement. He was 81.
The three-time Grammy Award winner, who withdrew from making music in the mid-1980s, died on Monday in Los Angeles, the statement said.
His death comes as the public has drawn inspiration from his music during the coronavirus pandemic, with health care workers, choirs, artists and more posting their own renditions on Lean On Me to help get through the difficult times.
‘We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father. A solitary man with a heart driven to connect to the world at large, with his poetry and music, he spoke honestly to people and connected them to each other,’ the family statement read.
Singer-songwriter Bill Withers, pictured here in 2006, died in Los Angeles from heart complications on Monday
A hitmaker: Withers wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time, including Lean On Me, Lovely Day and Ain’t No Sunshine
‘As private a life as he lived close to intimate family and friends, his music forever belongs to the world. In this difficult time, we pray his music offers comfort and entertainment as fans hold tight to loved ones.’
Withers’ songs during his brief career have become the soundtracks of countless engagements, weddings and backyard parties. They have powerful melodies and perfect grooves melded with a smooth voice that conveys honesty and complex emotions without vocal acrobatics.
Lean On Me, a paean to friendship, was performed at the inaugurations of both Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Ain´t No Sunshine and Lean on Me are among Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
‘He’s the last African-American Everyman,’ musician and band leader Questlove told Rolling Stone in 2015. ‘Bill Withers is the closest thing black people have to a Bruce Springsteen.’
A favorite: Withers’ songs during his brief career have become the soundtracks of countless engagements, weddings and backyard parties. They have powerful melodies and perfect grooves melded with a smooth voice that conveys honesty and complex emotions without vocal acrobatics. Seen in 1972
Awards came: Withers gets presented a Grammy for Best Rhythm & Blues Song for his hit Ain’t No Sunshine by singers Isaac Hayes and Bobby Darin at the 14th Annual Grammy Awards at the Statler Hilton in 1972
Withers, who overcame a childhood stutter, was born the last of six children in the coal mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia.
After his parents divorced when he was three, Withers was raised by his mother’s family in nearby Beckley.
He joined the Navy at 17 and spent nine years in the service as an aircraft mechanic installing toilets.
After his discharge, he moved to Los Angeles, worked at an aircraft parts factory, bought a guitar at a pawn shop and recorded demos of his tunes in hopes of landing a recording contract.
In 1971, signed to Sussex Records, he put out his first album, Just As I Am, with the legendary Booker T. Jones at the helm. It had the hits Grandma’s Hands and Ain´t No Sunshine, which was inspired by the Jack Lemmon film Days Of Wine And Roses.
He was photographed on the cover, smiling and holding his lunch pail.
With a pal: Here the iconic singer is seen with John Legend as tghey perform onstage during the 30th Annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Hall in 2015
The younger generation looked up to him: Bill with Greg Phillinganes, left, and Ed Sheeran, middle in 2015 in NYC
Ain’t No Sunshine was originally released as the B-side of his debut single, Harlem. But radio DJs flipped the disc and the song climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard charts and spent a total of 16 weeks in the top 40.
Withers went on to generate more hits a year later with the inspirational Lean On Me, the menacing Who Is He (and What Is He to You)’and the slinky Use Me on his second album, Still Bill.
Later would come the striking Lovely Day, co-written with Skip Scarborough and featuring Withers holding the word ‘day’ for almost 19 seconds, and Just The Two Of Us, co-written with Ralph MacDonald and William Salter. His Live At Carnegie Hall in 1973 made Rolling Stone’s 50 Greatest Live Albums of All Time.
‘The hardest thing in songwriting is to be simple and yet profound. And Bill seemed to understand, intrinsically and instinctively, how to do that,’ Sting said in Still Bill, a 2010 documentary of Withers.
With other icons: From left, Ringo Starr, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney and Bill Withers in 2015 in Ohio
But Withers’ career when Sussex Records went bankrupt and he was scooped up by Columbia Records. He no longer had complete control over his music and chaffed when it was suggested he do an Elvis cover. His new executives found Withers difficult.
None of his Columbia albums reached the Top 40 except for 1977’s Menagerie, which produced Lovely Day. (His hit duet with Grover Washington Jr. Just the Two of Us was on Washington’s label). Withers’ last album was 1985’s ‘Watching You Watching Me.
Though his songs often dealt with relationships, Withers also wrote ones with social commentary, including Better Off Dead about an alcoholic’s suicide, and I Can´t Write Left-Handed, about an injured Vietnam War veteran.
HITS! He was awarded Grammys as a songwriter for ‘Ain´t No Sunshine’ in 1971 and for ‘Just The Two Of Us’ in 1981. In 1987, Bill received his ninth Grammy nomination and third Grammy as a songwriter for the re-recording of the 1972 hit ‘ Lean On Me’ by Club Nouveau
His much is everywhere: His music has been sampled and covered by such artists as BlackStreet’s No Diggity, Will Smith’s version of Just The Two Of Us, Black Eyed Peas’ Bridging The Gap and Twista’s Sunshine. The song Lean on Me was the title theme of a 1989 movie starring Morgan Freeman
He was awarded Grammys as a songwriter for Ain´t No Sunshine in 1971 and for Just The Two Of Us in 1981. In 1987, Bill received his ninth Grammy nomination and third Grammy as a songwriter for the re-recording of the 1972 hit Lean On Me by Club Nouveau.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015 by Stevie Wonder. Withers thanked his wife as well as the R&B pioneers who helped his career like Ray Jackson, Al Bell and Booker T. Jones. He also got in a few jabs at the record industry, saying A&R stood for ‘antagonistic and redundant.’
His music has been sampled and covered by such artists as BlackStreet’s No Diggity, Will Smith’s version of Just The Two Of Us, Black Eyed Peas’ Bridging The Gap and Twista’s Sunshine.
With his pride and joy: Withers and his daughter, Cori Withers, attend the 2005 Songwriters Hall Of Fame induction ceremony
And with his wife: Bill and Cory are pictured with Marcia Withers, far right, in 2008
The song Lean on Me was the title theme of a 1989 movie starring Morgan Freeman.
His songs are often used on the big screen, including The Hangover, 28 Days, American Beauty, Jerry Maguire, Crooklyn, Flight, Beauty Shop, The Secret Life of Pets and Flight.
‘I’m not a virtuoso, but I was able to write songs that people could identify with. I don’t think I’ve done bad for a guy from Slab Fork, West Virginia,’ Withers told Rolling Stone in 2015.
He is survived by his wife, Marcia, and children, Todd and Kori.
TRIBUTES FOR BILL WITHERS
Soon after news broke of his passing, tributes came in.
Chance The Rapper said, ‘Aw man, Bill Withers was really the greatest. Grandma’s Hands, Ain’t No Sunshine, Lean on Me, Use Me Up, Just The Two of Us and obviously Lovely Day are some of the best songs of all time.’
Lin-Manuel Miranda added, ‘Rest In Peace maestro Bill Withers. What a legacy.’
Fans: Soon after news broke of his passing, tributes came in. Chance The Rapper said, ‘Aw man, Bill Withers was really the greatest. Grandma’s Hands, Ain’t No Sunshine, Lean on Me, Use Me Up, Just The Two of Us and obviously Lovely Day are some of the best songs of all time.’ Lin-Manuel Miranda added, ‘Rest In Peace maestro Bill Withers. What a legacy’
LeAnn Rimes said he had ‘some of the best music of ALL TIME.’
Songwriter Diane Warren, who has worked with Cher and Lady Gaga, said: ‘Oh no my friend Bill Withers has died.
‘One of the best songwriters and lovely humans ever. F**k U 2020 U suck.’
She is right: LeAnn Rimes said he had ‘some of the best music of ALL TIME’
Her note: Songwriter Diane Warren, who has worked with Cher and Lady Gaga, said: ‘Oh no my friend Bill Withers has died. ‘One of the best songwriters and lovely humans ever. F**k U 2020 U suck’
Old friends: Diane, far right, with Bill, far left, and Common, center, in 2018
Beyonce’s mother Tina Knowles also shared her thoughts.
‘I like everyone Of my generation , was obsessed with the great songwriter and performer Mr. Bill Withers,’ she began.
‘I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Withers when I moved to Los Angeles and becoming friends with him and his beautiful wife . ❤️Just two New Year’s Eves ago we brought in The new Year together.
‘Bill was the best storyteller. He kept everyone spellbound by his amazing stories. I absolutely love his wife Marcia my love and condolences and prayers are with her this morning and the children. Bill will never be forgotten ,grandma’s hands is the song that everyone no matter what generation you were born in whether it is in a sample by a young artist or the original song it is infectious and you cannot help move to it .He will be sadly missed.❤️’
Sad loss: Beyonce’s mother Tina Knowles also shared her thoughts. ‘I like everyone Of my generation , was obsessed with the great songwriter and performer Mr. Bill Withers,’ she began
Like family: Here Tina is seen with Bill and his wife on New Year’s Eve
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys added, ‘I’m very sad to hear about Bill Withers passing. Bill was a “songwriter’s songwriter” and wrote so many great songs like “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean On Me.” A real loss. Love & Mercy to Bill’s family. – Brian.’
And Lenny Kravitz had a sweet tribute.
‘Rest in power Bill Withers. Your voice, songs, and total expression gave us love, hope, and strength. My soul always has & always will be full of your music. Your humility displayed & depth of your power as you carried us all to a better place. You’re still & always will be Bill.’
Kind: Lenny Kravitz had a sweet tribute. ‘Rest in power Bill Withers. Your voice, songs, and total expression gave us love, hope, and strength’
Heartbreak: Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys added, ‘I’m very sad to hear about Bill Withers passing’
Touching: Musician John Legend added: ‘Mourning the loss of my friend and inspiration, Bill Withers’
More praise: Elijah Wood, Jodie Turner-Smith and Rosario Dawson also shared
Musician John Legend added: ‘Mourning the loss of my friend and inspiration, Bill Withers. He was such an incredible songwriter and storyteller. I’m so glad he shared his gift with the world. Life wouldn’t be the same without him.’
Politician Kamala Harris, who was trying to become the Democratic candidate for the presidential election this year, also weighed in.
‘The world lost a legend. Soul singer Bill Withers’ song Grandma’s Hands is one of my favorites and reminds me of my grandmother and so many other mother-figures in my life,’ she noted.
Blessed: Pharrell shared a handsome flashback photo and said: ‘Your sound intersected so many styles and influences, the best ingredients to get through rough times and make good times greater’
‘Let’s all continue to live by his cherished lyrics during these times and lean on each other.’
Pharrell shared a handsome flashback photo and said: ‘Your sound intersected so many styles and influences, the best ingredients to get through rough times and make good times greater.’
Rosario Dawson said she would lean on his songs in times of need and asked him to sing to her ‘grandma.’
Kacey Musgraves added a simple: ‘RIP Bill Withers.’
Bride Wars actress Kate Hudson said, ‘Lovely Day, Ain’t No Sunshine, Use Me and Lean On Me to name a few. Thank you sir for your music.’
She had something to say: Politician Kamala Harris, who was trying to become the Democratic candidate for the presidential election this year, also weighed in
She got in on the action too: Olivia Wilde said thank you to Bill
Sentimental: Bile Rodgers said Bill had a ‘soulful’ voice
She was a fan: Bride Wars actress Kate Hudson said, ‘Lovely Day, Ain’t No Sunshine, Use Me and Lean On Me to name a few. Thank you sir for your music’