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.

 “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 statement read. “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, 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.

bill withers 1

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.

 

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *