Bill Withers, Legendary Singer Of “Lean On Me” And Other Hits Dead At 81
Legendary soul artist Bill Withers has died from heart complications, his family confirmed in a statement to The Associated Press today.
Withers, who’s responsible for hits such as: “Lean On Me,” “Lovely Day,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Grandma’s Hands” and “Just The Two of Us,” died in L.A on March 30.
The soulful singer, who was born with a stutter, was raised with five siblings in Slab Fork, West Virginia. In search of new opportunities, he enlisted in the Navy at age 17 and then eventually moved to L.A. to pursue a music career in 1967.
He used what little money he had to self-finance demos, which eventually paid off and landed him at Sussex Records, where Booker T. Jones produced his debut Album “Just As I Am.”
That project put the 33-year-old Withers on a pathway to success. His breakthrough hit, “Ain’t No Sunshine,” climbed the U.S. charts and the 1971 tune went on to win a Grammy Award for the singer.
In 1981, Withers received his second Grammy Award for “Just The Two Of Us”.
Withers produced eight albums in 14 years but decided to end his career in 1985.
Despite walking away from the limelight, his music continued to be an inspiration to other artists.
In 1987, a re-recording of “Lean On Me” by Club Nouveau won Withers his third Grammy Award.
The star was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and Stevie Wonder inducted him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.
Withers is survived by his wife Marcia Johnson and two children — Todd and Kori.
He was 81. Rest in peace, Bill Withers.
