With his soulful delivery and warm, heartfelt sincerity, Bill Withers has penned the songs that have – and always will – resonate deeply within the fabric of our times. Born on July 4, 1938 in the tiny village of Slab Fork, West Virginia, Withers spent his early years in the United States Navy, on his off-hours making toilet seats for the Boeing aircraft company and recording late-night demos of his original music. After leaving the Navy in 1965, Withers relocated to Los Angeles and signed to the Sussex Records label in 1970. His debut album, 1971’s Just As I Am, was an instant hit with the strength of songs such as “Ain’t No Sunshine,” which won the Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Song. 1972’s Still Bill, however, truly catapulted Withers to legendary standing; among other gems on the album was the often covered “Use Me” and the classic “Lean on Me,” arguably one of the most uplifting and incredible songs in all of recorded music. “Lovely Day” (from 1978’s Menagerie) became a top pop and R&B hit, and “Just the Two of Us” (Withers’ classic duet with Grover Washington, Jr.) earned him another Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Song in 1981. Withers earned his third Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Song in 1988 for Club Nouveau’s incredible cover of “Lean on Me,” and his songs have been recorded by hundreds of other artists including Barbara Streisand, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Liza Minnelli and Diana Ross. Bill Withers was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005.
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hi! I hope Im not another one of your fanzz.. youve changed my life the first time i heard you sing changed me and now when i listen to your music now days it brings back some of the most favorite memorys ever thanks
Every time I hear your music I linger on the most beautiful lyrics and musical sound. Thank you for having me as your friend and thank you for being 'you'. xx
Hey, thanks for yourfriendship, Bill! Your influence is always important on my composition. Thanks a lot for all your awesome music and your soulful music, you're the SOUL music!
Thanks for the friendship. Really enjoy the songs you have up, but particularly Ain't No Sunshine. In my opinion, this is one of the best songs ever written and sung by Mr. Withers. Be well, and peace out :)
