Withers’ family told the AP Friday that he passed away in Los Angeles from heart complications. Todd Withers was born to Bill Withers and Marcia Johnson. Nationwide News Pty Limited Copyright © 2021. Love & Mercy to Bill’s family." The award was presented to Leo Sacks, who produced the collection, and the mastering engineers, Mark Wilder, Joseph M. Palmaccio, and Tom Ruff. He was 81 years old. my favorite is lean on me which i consider an anthemn for brotherhood. Los Angeles (AFP) - Bill Withers, the legendary performer who defined 1970s soul with timeless hits like "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Lean on Me" has … Arranged by Mort Garson, the song went unnoticed at the time but was later reworked by Withers as the track "Harlem". He was 81. [37] He wrote some of the most covered songs of the 1970s, including "Lean on Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine". [citation needed], Withers, the youngest of six children, was born in the small coal-mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia, on July 4, 1938. The three-time Grammy Award winner, who withdrew from making music in the mid-1980s, died on Monday in Los Angeles, a family statement said. [21] Withers next released "Soul Shadows" with the Crusaders, and "In the Name of Love" with Ralph MacDonald,[22] the latter being nominated for a Grammy for vocal performance. Ultimately Withers reminded us that it’s the everyday that is the most meaningful: work, family, love, loss. Bill Larry Withers was born circa 1935, at birth place, North Carolina, to William K Withers and Lillian Withers. Withers married actress Denise Nicholas in 1973 during her stint on the sitcom Room 222. "Bill was a “songwriter’s songwriter” and wrote so many great songs like “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean On Me.” "A real loss. The concert recreated Withers's 1973 concert album, Live at Carnegie Hall, along with some of his other material. Husband of … Bill Withers, the soulful singer known for his 70s hits Lean on Me, Ain't No Sunshine and Lovely Day, has died at the age of 81. "[40] In Rolling Stone, writer Andy Greene noted that several of his songs "are embedded in the culture and have been covered countless times."[41]. My soul always has & always will be full of your music. Withers sang for a black nouveau middle class that didn't yet understand how precarious its status was. [18], After Sussex Records folded, Withers signed with Columbia Records in 1975. 2. Photo Credit: Jim Minchin. [8] Withers contributed two songs to Jimmy Buffett's 2004 release License to Chill. Bill Withers Super Legend". Check out ‘Grandma’s Hands’ to remember one of soul music’s finest songwriters... xxx pic.twitter.com/iKzQD1rGJG. Withers’ 70s hits Ain’t No Sunshine and Lean on Me have been hailed as some of the greatest songs of all time, and his iconic tunes are often used on the big screen, including in The Hangover, American Beauty, Jerry Maguire and The Secret Life of Pets. news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site. It was Withers's second gold single with confirmed sales in excess of three million. Bill Withers, 81, 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 to the Associated Press. 2015 ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE! Bill Withers, the singer-songwriter known for his soulful hits Lean on Me, Ain't No Sunshine and Lovely Day, has died at the age of 81, his family says. 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. Acoustic guitar in his hands, singing almost conversationally but with enormous power, Withers‘ approach was more in a singer-songwriter mode, though his sound was supremely funky and thoroughly contemporary. His death was confirmed by his family in the following statement: Bill Withers died on March 30, 2020, in Los Angeles due to heart complications. US singer Bill Withers, whose hits include Lean on Me, Lovely Day and Ain’t No Sunshine, has died from heart complications. [50], In 1976, Withers married Marcia Johnson. “Bill Withers is the closest thing black people have to a Bruce Springsteen.”, Withers was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. [1] Withers was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. And Bill seemed to understand, intrinsically and instinctively, how to do that,” Sting said in Still Bill, a 2010 documentary of Withers. [37] Musicians Sade,[44] D'Angelo,[45] Justin Timberlake,[46] John Legend[47] and Ed Sheeran[5] have credited Withers as a music inspiration. Official YouTube channel for Bill Withers. for many years. Bill Withers was born in 1938 in West Virginia and was the youngest of six children. [11], In early 1970, Withers's demonstration tape was auditioned favorably by Clarence Avant, owner of Sussex Records. 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. Family Life He married second wife Marcia Johnson in 1976. Discover the enduring artistry of Albums & Compilations of Bill Withers, an authentic American musical icon. [3] The former entered the Hot 100 chart through multiple versions, including Club Nouveau's 1987 cover, which made the Withers-penned composition one of nine songs to have led the chart via different acts. Withers’ family confirmed his death in the following statement: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father. You're still & always will be Bill. gold disc award taking place on October 12, 1972. He was the youngest of six children of Mattie (Galloway), a maid, and William Withers, a miner. [28], At the 30th Annual Grammy Awards in 1988, Withers won the Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Song as songwriter for the re-recording of "Lean on Me" by Club Nouveau. [7] He was 13 years old when his father died. It read: "We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father. [36], Withers largely retired from his career in music in 1985. He was 81 years old. He toured with Jennifer Holliday in 1985 to promote what would be his final studio album. https://www.geni.com/people/Bill-Withers/6000000013983590173 Bill lived in 1935, at address , North Carolina. [24], In 1985 came Watching You, Watching Me, which featured the Top 40-rated R&B single "Oh Yeah! hall of fame. [6][9], In 1988, a new version of "Lovely Day" from the 1977 Menagerie album, entitled "Lovely Day (Sunshine Mix)" and remixed by Ben Liebrand was released. Bill Withers, known for acoustic soul hits “Lean on Me” and “Ain’t No Sunshine,” died Monday of heart complications, his family said Friday. He thanked his wife as well as the R&B pioneers who helped his career like Ray Jackson, Al Bell and Booker T Jones. PRS for Music Special International Award. Bill Withers (born July 4, 1938 in Slab Fork, West Virginia, died March 30, 2020 in Los Angeles, California) was an American singer-songwriter who performed and recorded from the late 1960s until the mid 1980s. [48][49] They divorced in 1974. Bill's father died when he was thirteen. Bill Withers, Soundtrack: The Bodyguard. After successful training, he served in the Navy for nine good years. Bill Withers was born on month day 1929, to Raymond W Withers and Bertha Ellen Withers (born Fowler). The son of a West Virginia coal miner, William Harrison Withers, Jr. was born July 4, 1938. She is the granddaughter of Mattie Rose Withers and William Harrison Withers Sr. She has one sibling, an elder brother, Todd Withers. Just as I Am was released in 1971 with the tracks, "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Grandma's Hands" as singles. pic.twitter.com/mkpcSBfuZv, Today we lost one of the sweetest souls. Warm, raunchy, secular, Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills), "Still Bill (2009) A Singer Who Stopped His Showing Off", "Green Day, Lou Reed, Joan Jett, Ringo Starr Lead 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame", "Bill Withers, Who Sang 'Lean on Me' and 'Ain't No Sunshine,' Dies at 81", "Bill Withers: Still Himself, but He'll Allow the Attention", "Bill Withers: The Soul Man Who Walked Away", "The Lost Bill Withers Go-Go Soul Freakout You Need To Hear", "Bill Withers, 'Lean On Me' Attitude Back The 47-year-old Singer, Whose Style And Delivery Fall Somewhere Between Lou Rawls And Marvin Gaye, Has Released A New Album And Embarked On A Concert Tour", "Michel Berger - Dreams In Stone (Vinyl, LP, Album)", "Songwriter Bill Withers And A Career Cut Short", "10 Things We Learned Spending Two Days With Bill Withers", "Bill Withers, Stevie Wonder charm during their 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame speeches", "A Tribute to Bill Withers at Carnegie Hall", "Review: A Bill Withers Tribute With His Soul Disciples", "Bill Withers talks the Grammys and politics", "Bill Withers, 'Lean On Me' and 'Lovely Day' Singer, Dies at 81", "Bill Withers, influential soul singer behind Ain't No Sunshine, dies aged 81", "Bill Withers: the brilliant folk-soul star who said it all with time to spare", "Bill Withers, Hall of Fame Soul Singer, Dead at 81", "D'Angelo Cancels Performance at Bill Withers Tribute Show", "Justin Timberlake Pays Tribute to Bill Withers: 'One of My Biggest Idols, "John Legend on Singing with Bill Withers at Rock Hall: 'Don't F–k It Up, "Room 222 star refuses to charge singing artist in alleged beating", "Divorce Action Splits Singer Bill Withers, Actress Denise Nicholas", "Lean On Me singer Bill Withers dies at 81", "Bill Withers, 'Lean On Me,' 'Ain't No Sunshine' singer, dies at 81", "Bill Withers Died of Cardiopulmonary Arrest, Underlying Heart and Lung Issues", "Little Jimmy Dickens Joins West Virginia Music Hall of Fame", "Lou Reed, Green Day and Bill Withers to Join Rock Hall of Fame", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bill_Withers&oldid=997678200, Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills), Wikipedia pages semi-protected against vandalism, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2020, Articles to be expanded from November 2020, Pages using Sister project links with hidden wikidata, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers, Wikipedia articles with PLWABN identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, 2007: Inducted into West Virginia Music Hall of Fame, This page was last edited on 1 January 2021, at 18:29. [6], Withers continued to work on his musicianship, learning guitar. His father died when Withers … He was the son of Mattie (Galloway), a maid, and William Withers, a miner. [15], During this time, he wrote and produced two songs on the Gladys Knight & the Pips album I Feel a Song, and in October 1974 performed in concert together with James Brown, Etta James, and B.B. Denise Nicholas (1973-1974). Your voice, songs, and total expression gave us love, hope, and strength. He is the grandson of Mattie Rose Withers and William Harrison Withers Sr. to the family of bill withers my wife and i have been fans of bill withers. Rest in power Bill Withers. [3] He was born with a stutter and later said he had a hard time fitting in. But radio DJs flipped the disc and the song climbed to number 3 on the Billboard charts and spent a total of 16 weeks in the top 40. The generations and branches of the Withers family share a name that has its roots in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. [5], The album was a success, and Withers began touring with a band assembled from members of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. The name Withers comes from the Old Norse personal name Vidarr, which means, wide messenger. 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. This was Withers' ninth Grammy nomination and third win. Other footage of his performance is included in the 2008 documentary film Soul Power. On 4 July 1938, William Withers Jr. was born in Slab Fork, the United States in West Virginia. [citation needed] He pursued other work but occasionally performed guest vocals, tribute concert appearances, and similar activities. His death was confirmed by his family in the following statement: Bill Withers. All times AEDT (GMT +11). When he returned with the song "Ain't No Sunshine" in 1971, he refused to resign from his job because he believed the music business was a fickle industry. This record included one composition co-written and sung by Withers,[23] an upbeat disco song about New York City entitled "Apple Pie". [2][3] Two of his songs were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. [30] In 2007, "Lean on Me" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Bill Withers, who wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time, ... Mr. Withers was raised by his mother’s family in nearby Beckley. The three-time Grammy Award winner died from heart complications in Los Angeles on Monday. His Live at Carnegie Hall in 1973 made Rolling Stone’s 50 Greatest Live Albums of All Time. Marcia Johnson (1976-present). At the time of his death on April 3, … After his parents divorced when he was 3, Withers was raised by his mother’s family in nearby Beckley. "[38] In the same magazine, writer Gail Mitchell acknowledged "Withers' legacy has flourished in the decades since, thanks to a cross-section of artists who have covered/sampled his songs or cited him as a major influence. [19], Due to problems with Columbia and being unable to get songs approved for his album, he concentrated on joint projects from 1977 to 1985, including "Just the Two of Us", with jazz saxophonist Grover Washington Jr., which was released during June 1980. He was gracious enough to let me sample him on ‘demons’. [54], The Grammy Awards are bestowed by The Recording Academy. His family described him in a statement as a “solitary man with a heart-driven to connect to the world”. ", and ended Withers's business association with Columbia Records. [1] He had several hits over a relatively short career of 15 years, including "Ain't No Sunshine" (1971), "Grandma's Hands" (1971), "Use Me" (1972), "Lean on Me" (1972), "Lovely Day" (1977), and "Just the Two of Us" (1981). Bill Withers, pictured, died in Los Angeles from heart complications, his family said. PRS for Music Special International Award. Family: Parents: Father: William Harrison Withers Sr. Withers has won three Grammys from nine nominations.[55]. “It has been a pleasure for Bill and I to be part of the SAY Family for 10 years.” Marcia Withers Age. Singer and songwriter Bill Withers's discography flourished long after he retired from performing, but he opted out of the spotlight in favor of spending more time with his family. hall of fame. “As private a life as he lived close to intimate family and friends, his music forever belongs to the world.”, Bill Withers died of heart complications on Monday. [6] Withers enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17,[8] and served for nine years, during which time he became interested in singing and writing songs. He was 81 years old. Withers, who overcame a childhood stutter, was born the last of six children in the coal mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia. Due to a legal dispute with the Sussex company, Withers was unable to record for some time thereafter. He joined the Navy at 17 and spent nine years in the service as an aircraft mechanic installing toilets. Bill Withers Death. He was born to a coal miner, William Withers Sr. and his mother was called Mattie Withers. IVOR NOVELLO AWARDS. Kori. Lean On Me, a paean to friendship, was performed at the inaugurations of former US presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. His songs have powerful melodies and perfect grooves melded with a smooth voice that conveys honesty and complex emotions without vocal acrobatics. Bill Withers wrote and sang a string of soulful … Bill Withers with his wife Marcia Johnson and daughter Kori Withers She is the mother of two kids. [21], In 1982, Withers was a featured vocalist on the album Dreams in Stone by French singer Michel Berger. Picture: AP/Paul A.HebertSource:AP. Bridgerton stars devastated that their sex scenes made it to... Toni Pearen slammed for ridiculous outburst on I’m a Celebri... Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel baby: Stars reveal name of s... Laurence Fox slammed for ‘loathsome’ anti-mask stunt. No way did Bill Withers fit the mold of your typical soul star. Career: Albums: 1. honorary doctorate. He joined the Navy at 17 and spent nine years in the service as an aircraft mechanic installing toilets. Withers was in attendance and spoke briefly onstage. The son of a West Virginia coal miner, William Harrison Withers, Jr. was born July 4, 1938. Bertha was born on July 1 1904, in West Virginia, USA. [14], During a hiatus from touring, Withers recorded his second album, Still Bill. "Bill Withers is the closest thing black people have to a Bruce Springsteen." 2. He is survived by his wife Marcia Johnson and their two children, Todd and Kori. "[6] The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson deemed him "a songwriter's songwriter". Withers’ 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. He was 81. [6][8] His debut release was "Three Nights and a Morning" in 1967. After his parents divorced when he was 3, Withers was raised by his mother’s family in nearby Beckley. [20], His disdain for Columbia's A&R executives or "blaxperts", as he termed them, trying to exert control over how he should sound if he wanted to sell more albums, played a part in his decision to not record or re-sign to a record label after 1985, effectively ending his performing career, even though remixes of his previously recorded music were released well after his 'retirement'. Discover the enduring artistry of Albums & Compilations of Bill Withers, an authentic American musical icon. Withers’ family confirmed his death in the following statement: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father. His new executives found Withers difficult. [20] Withers also stated it was frustrating seeing his record label release an album for Mr. T, an actor, when they were preventing him, an actual singer, from releasing his own. 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