Bill Withers at IVOR Novelllo Awards (photo from Bill’s website)
From Gil Asakawa on Fb, 4/03/20: RIP Bill Withers — the soul singer and songwriter died March 30 of heart complications at age 81. His songs are an incredible soundtrack of 1970s and early 1980s black music without easily fitting any stylistic cubbyholes. He was a balladeer and pop singer as much as a churchy vocalist, and his music didn’t evoke or mimic Motown, Philadelphia soul, Atlantic R&B, Memphis or southern soul , New Orleans funk or anything else. His music sounded like Bill Withers: “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Grandma’s Hands” (a slave-song tribute that was close to gospel),” “Lean on Me,” “Use Me,” “Lovely Day” and “Just the Two of Us” are wonderful tracks all.
I have a sweet memory of Withers’ music — in 1971, when “Ain’t No Sunshine,” his first single and #3 on the pop charts gold record, was ubiquitous on WEAM top 40 radio in Washington DC. Driving around with my family, we’d hear the song all the time, everywhere.
Towards the end of the track, when Withers repeated “I know, I know, I know, I know…” my mom finally turned to me in the rear, leaning on the front seat back (this was before seat belts became de rigeur) and asked “What mean this “ano, ano, ano, ano?” “Ano” is a common Japanese interjection for “uh,” or “the” in speech.
RIP, Bill Withers. Thanks for a career of terrific music.
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Guy Aoki: A great loss. Even today when I go to used record stores, I quickly go to the W section looking for Withers LPs. A shame he refused to make new music after ’85 & never really explained why, though in the documentary “Still Bill,” admitted it may have something to do with depression. When I met Booker T at the Dick Clark Studios years ago, I thanked him for producing “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Sounded like Bill was singing to me right there in my room! What an intimate production.
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Tommy Kaui Nahulu: It goes without saying…Bill Withers shared his heart and soul with generations of music lovers who have added his timeless songs to the soundtrack of their lives. Unmistakable and unforgettable as his beautiful words will remain, so will the memory of a man who touched so many thoughout his life.
I have enjoyed seeing and reading the many posts by my very dear friend Riki Mayer Alexander over the years, as she shared her stories of Bill’s involvement with SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young, founded and run by her son Taro Alexander.
Our world not only lost a remarkable singer/songwriter, but a most beautiful human being.
Today I thank Bill Withers for the songs he left us with, and his love and support of 2 very special people in my life. I also send my best to Riki and Taro, and Bill’s family & friends.
With that, I wish you A Lovely Day.
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By Mark Kennedy, AP writer for ABC News | 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 to The Associated Press. 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. “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.”
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He is survived by his wife, Marcia, and children, Todd and Kori.
Read the whole story here:
https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/lean-lovely-day-singer-bill-withers-dies-81-69958590