Discover the enduring artistry of Albums & Compilations of Bill Withers, an authentic American musical icon. At 18 years old, he joined United States Navy where he got his Naval trained. He joined the Navy at 17 and spent nine years in the service as an aircraft mechanic installing toilets. [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'. [1] Withers was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. Johnson Is In Charge of Licensing Her Husband’s Music. The generations and branches of the Withers family share a name that has its roots in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Withers is survived by his wife and two children. for many years. [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. This is according to his family. Education: Highest Qualification: High school. [36], Withers largely retired from his career in music in 1985. Kori. https://www.geni.com/people/Bill-Withers/6000000013983590173 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. It read: "We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father. [32], In 2005, Withers was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. 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. Birthplace: Slab Fork, West Virginia, United States. Withers was also previously married to actress Denise Nicholas before they divorced and he proceeded to marry Marcia. listen to bill. Your voice, songs, and total expression gave us love, hope, and strength. He was 81. Born in Slab Fork, West Virginia, Bill was the youngest of six children of William Harrison Withers Sr, a coal miner, and his wife, Mattie. honorary doctorate. Bill Withers died on March 30, 2020, aged 81, in Los Angeles, California. “The hardest thing in songwriting is to be simple and yet profound. He was the son of Mattie (Galloway), a maid, and William Withers, a miner. 2015 ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE! [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. Credit: AP "We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father. Husband of … Bill Withers – the soul legend known for writing iconic songs of the 1970s such as Lean on Me and Ain’t No Sunshine – has died at the age of 81 from heart complications in Los Angeles. my favorite is lean on me which i consider an anthemn for brotherhood. we hope the following words will be a comfort to you. 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. Withers withdrew from making music in the mid-1980s and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015 by Stevie Wonder. He was 81 years old. A more gentle, poetic and dignified man you will struggle to find. Denise Nicholas (1973-1974). Picture: SuppliedSource:AP. They had one child. He was born to a coal miner, William Withers Sr. and his mother was called Mattie Withers. Her son named “Todd Withers” is also a singer and songwriter. More Coverage It was here that he got interested in a sin… After his discharge, he moved to Los Angeles, worked at an aircraft parts factory, bought a guitar at a pawn shop and recorded demos of his tunes in hopes of landing a recording contract. Bill's father died when he was thirteen. PRS for Music Special International Award. “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father,” the family said in a statement to the AP news agency on Friday. 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. He was born with a stutter and later said he had a hard time fitting in. [52][53] He is interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills). Bill Withers Death. Siblings: No. Bill Withers. [6] Marcia eventually assumed the direct management of his Beverly Hills–based publishing companies, in which his children also became involved as they became adults. "[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. news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site. [5], The album was a success, and Withers began touring with a band assembled from members of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. Her husband, Bill Withers, was born on July 4, 1938, in Slab Fork, West Virginia, United States. [citation needed] He pursued other work but occasionally performed guest vocals, tribute concert appearances, and similar activities. My soul always has & always will be full of your music. Your humility displayed & depth of your power as you carried us all to a better place. Withers, who overcame a childhood stutter, was born the last of six children in the coal mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia. [6][8] His debut release was "Three Nights and a Morning" in 1967. https://heavy.com/entertainment/2020/04/marcia-johnson-bill-withers-wife IVOR NOVELLO AWARDS. Bill Withers Cause of Death. [7] He was 13 years old when his father died. "[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]. [21], In 1982, Withers was a featured vocalist on the album Dreams in Stone by French singer Michel Berger. He joined the Navy at 17 and spent nine years in the service as an aircraft mechanic installing toilets. "[42] A Billboard article considered that Withers "stands as one of R&B/soul music's most revered singer-songwriters. 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. But he no longer had complete control over his music and chaffed when it was suggested he do an Elvis cover. Check out ‘Grandma’s Hands’ to remember one of soul music’s finest songwriters... xxx pic.twitter.com/iKzQD1rGJG. 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. Bill Withers, known for acoustic soul hits “Lean on Me” and “Ain’t No Sunshine,” died Monday of heart complications, his family said Friday. hall of fame. Bill Withers wrote and sang a string of soulful … Other footage of his performance is included in the 2008 documentary film Soul Power. They had two children, Todd and Kori. Bill Withers – Lean On Me … And Bill seemed to understand, intrinsically and instinctively, how to do that,” Sting said in Still Bill, a 2010 documentary of Withers. Star Wars actor Billy Dee Williams wrote: "One day I … His family described him in a statement as a “solitary man with a heart-driven to connect to the world”. Withers sang for a black nouveau middle class that didn't yet understand how precarious its status was. The single, "Lean on Me" went to number one the week of July 8, 1972. Bill grew up in Beckley, the youngest of six children in a hard working family, … After successful training, he served in the Navy for nine good years. [37] Musicians Sade,[44] D'Angelo,[45] Justin Timberlake,[46] John Legend[47] and Ed Sheeran[5] have credited Withers as a music inspiration. Ultimately Withers reminded us that it’s the everyday that is the most meaningful: work, family, love, loss. The original release had reached number 7 in the UK in early 1978, and the re-release climbed higher to number 4. Bill Withers died on March 30, 2020, in Los Angeles due to heart complications. [6] After he left the music industry he said that he did not miss touring and performing live and did not regret leaving music behind. 2015 ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE! She is the granddaughter of Mattie Rose Withers and William Harrison Withers Sr. She has one sibling, an elder brother, Todd Withers. Bertha was born on July 1 1904, in West Virginia, USA. Bill lived in 1935, at address , North Carolina. [48][49] They divorced in 1974. [34][35], In February 2017, he made an appearance on Joy Reid's MSNBC show to talk about the refugee crisis as well as the political climate in America. Withers, the youngest of six children, was born in the small coal-mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia, on July 4, 1938. His death was confirmed by his family in the following statement: Bill had one sibling: Colleen Withers . The three-time Grammy Award winner died from heart complications in Los Angeles on Monday. The three-time Grammy Award winner, who withdrew from making music in the mid-1980s, died on Monday (local time) in Los Angeles, according to a statement from his family. [4][5] He was the son of Mattie (Galloway), a maid, and William Withers, a miner. I'm not a virtuoso, but I was able to write songs that people could identify with. [11] His first album release with the label, Making Music, included the single "She's Lonely", which was featured in the film Looking for Mr. Goodbar along with "She Wants to (Get on Down)". Bill Withers RIP. Catalog. 2. Bill's father died when he was thirteen. Todd. He was 81 years old. Picture: SuppliedSource:AP. The name Withers comes from the Old Norse personal name Vidarr, which means, wide messenger. William Harrison "Bill" Withers Jr. (July 4, 1938 – March 30, 2020) was an American singer-songwriter and musician. US singer-songwriter Bill Withers, whose hits included "Lean On Me", has died aged 81, his family said.. He toured with Jennifer Holliday in 1985 to promote what would be his final studio album. to the family of bill withers my wife and i have been fans of bill withers. 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 … Stream Bill Withers' best songs via Spotify or Apple Music. [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. Keep in mind this was years before Marvin Gaye did it with Here, My Dear. “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. 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