“As private a life as he lived close to intimate family and friends, his music forever belongs to the world. Singer-songwriter Bill Withers, a soul legend best known songs like “Lean on Me,” “Lovely Day,” and “Ain’t No Sunshine,” died March 30 from heart complications in Los Angeles. BILL WITHERS has died aged 81 following heart complications. Grandma’s Hands, Ain’t No Sunshine, Lean on Me, Use Me Up, Just The Two Of Us and obviously Lovely Day are some of the best songs of all time. He was 81. "I don't think I've done bad for a guy from Slab Fork, West Virginia.". "There is no more appropriate time to reflect on his words than now as we lean on each other. He was 81. “The hardest thing in songwriting is to be simple and yet profound. “About 10,000 of them think they can play quarterback. November 17, 2020 10:30AM ET Noël Wells Brings Glittery Disco Magic to Cover of Bill Withers’ ‘Lovely Day’ “After Biden was elected and I saw people dancing in … In 1980, Withers teamed up with Grover Washington Jr. to release the hit Just The Two Of Us. “Bill Withers’ songs are among the most treasured and profound in the American songbook — universal in the way they touch people all over the world, transcending genre and generation. His songs are often used on the big screen, including “The Hangover,” “28 Days,” “American Beauty,” “Jerry Maguire,” “Crooklyn,” “Flight,” “Beauty Shop,” “The Secret Life of Pets” and “Flight.”. Your voice, songs, and total expression gave us love, hope, and strength. "Bill was a “songwriter’s songwriter” and wrote so many great songs like “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean On Me.”, "A real loss. Withers, who overcame a childhood stutter, was born the last of six children in the coal mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia. He also got in a few jabs at the record industry, saying A&R stood for “antagonistic and redundant.” Withers also was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005. "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. “Lovely Day” is the opening track on Withers’ 1977 studio album, “Menagerie”. "My heart really hurts for him, it reminds me of playing records with at my grandma’s house. “Ain’t No Sunshine” was originally released as the B-side of his debut single, “Harlem.” But radio DJs flipped the disc and the song climbed to No. Withers’ songs during his brief career have become the soundtracks of countless engagements, weddings and backyard parties. He joined the Navy at 17 and spent nine years in the service as an aircraft mechanic installing toilets. He was 81. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. "My soul always has & always will be full of your music. The family statement read: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father. "I'm not a virtuoso, but I was able to write songs that people could identify with. He no longer had complete control over his music and chafed when it was suggested he do an Elvis cover. Withers was best known for his iconic songs Lean on Me, Lovely Day and Ain't No Sunshine. Your voice, songs, and total expression gave us love, hope, and strength. On Friday, celebrities took to social media to pay tribute to the late singer. Withers worked as an aircraft mechanic installing toilets until his discharge, when he then moved to Los Angeles and worked at an aircraft parts factory. Descubre ediciones, críticas, créditos, canciones y mucho más acerca de Bill Withers - Lovely Day en Discogs. The iconic track climbed to No. . FILE - In this June 21, 2006 file photo, singer-songwriter Bill Withers poses in his office in Beverly Hills, Calif. 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," died in Los Angeles from heart complications on Monday, March 30, 2020. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. His music has been sampled for BlackStreet’s “No Diggity,” Will Smith’s version of “ Just the Two Of Us, ” Black Eyed Peas’ “Bridging the Gap” and Twista’s “Sunshine.” The song “Lean on Me” was the title theme of a 1989 movie starring Morgan Freeman. Bill Withers pictured at The Grammy Museum in 2011, Withers bought a guitar at a pawn shop and started to record demos of his tunes in hopes of landing a recording contract, He is survived by his wife, Marcia, and children, Todd and Kori [pictured singing with her father], Withers was best known for his iconic songs Lean on Me, Lovely Day and Ain't No Sunshine, Bill Withers was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Stevie Wonder, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). While in Los Angeles, he bought a guitar at a pawn shop and started to record demos of his tunes in hopes of landing a recording contract. "Three of them probably could. Brian Wilson, from the Beach Boys, said: "I’m very sad to hear about Bill Withers passing. Withers’ last album was 1985′s “Watching You Watching Me.”. The song is notable for Withers' sustained note towards the end, which, at 18 seconds long, is one of the longest ever recorded on an American pop song. It had the hits “Grandma’s Hands” and “Ain’t No Sunshine,” which was inspired by the Jack Lemmon film “Days of Wine and Roses.” He was photographed on the cover, smiling and holding his lunch pail. “Bill Withers is the closest thing black people have to a Bruce Springsteen.”. In 1971, signed to Sussex Records, he put out his first album, “Just As I Am,” with the legendary Booker T. Jones at the helm. Bill Withers Super Legend". 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. He was awarded Grammys as a songwriter for “Ain’t No Sunshine” in 1971 and for “Just the Two Of Us” in 1981. Love & Mercy to Bill’s family.". Speaking with Rolling Stone in the same year, Withers said: "What few songs I wrote during my brief career, there ain't a genre that somebody didn't record them in. In early 1978 it reached the #30 on Billboard top 100. R&B artist, Chance the Rapper, wrote: "Aw man, Bill Withers was really the greatest. I don’t think I’ve done bad for a guy from Slab Fork, West Virginia,” Withers told Rolling Stone in 2015. For now, Rest In Peace dear man. "In this difficult time, we pray his music offers comfort and entertainment as fans hold tight to loved ones.”. Listen to me sing "Lovely Day (Bill Withers)" on #Smule: https://www.smule.com/sing-recording/2578504712_3917594054 Sadly, on the 30th March 2020, Withers passed away from heart complications. Written by Withers and Skip Scarborough, it was released on December 21, 1977, and appears on Withers' 1977 album Menagerie. Lovely Day - Bill Withers chords Singer/Band: Bill Withers. 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. 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. 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. In 1987, Bill received his ninth Grammy nomination and third Grammy as a songwriter for the re-recording of the 1972 hit “ Lean on Me” by Club Nouveau. After his parents divorced when he was 3, Withers was raised by his mother’s family in nearby Beckley. Withers thanked his wife as well as the R&B pioneers who helped his career like Ray Jackson, Al Bell and Booker T. Jones. (AP) - 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 is survived by his wife, Marcia, and children, Todd and Kori. Withers went on to release his second album, Still Bill, in 1972 which included tracks Lean on Me and Use Me. For other inquiries, Contact Us. By the way, in the “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean on Me” are among Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The three-time Grammy Award winner, who withdrew from making music in the mid-1980s, died on Monday in Los Angeles, the statement said. 3 on the Billboard charts and spent 16 weeks in the top 40. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. However, the singer was also part of the Navy for six years, after joining at the age of 17. The three-time Grammy Award winner died on Monday, his family said in a statement to AP. He is survived by his wife, Marcia, and children, Todd and Kori. Withers … However, the singer was also part of the Navy for six years, after joining at the age of 17. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS. He was 81. His death caused a torrent of appreciation on social media, including from former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett, who said Withers’ music has been a cherished part of her life. Quality: 320kbps or Better Genre: R&B/Soul Explicitness: notExplicit Country: USA Track Count: 1 ℗ 2011 Music World Music LLC 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. Later would come the striking “ Lovely Day,” co-written with Skip Scarborough and featuring Withers holding the word “day” for almost 19 seconds, and “Just the Two Of Us,” co-written with Ralph MacDonald and William Salter. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Withers was best known for his iconic songs Lean on Me, Lovely Day and Ain't No Sunshine. He also told the Stone: "Imagine 40,000 people at a stadium watching a football game. Tone: [E] [Verse] [E] When I wake up in the [C#m7] morning love [Amaj7] [Amaj7] And the sunlight hurts my [Cmaj7] eyes [Bm7] [E] And something without [C#m7] warning love [Amaj7] [Amaj7] Weighs heavy on my [Cmaj7] mind "Your music cheered my heart and soothed my soul. Lenny Kravtiz said: "Rest in power Bill Withers. ", Nile Rodgers, from the disco band Chic, wrote: "#RIPBillWithers Class, class and more class.". To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. The Leon On Me singer, who also wrote Lovely Day and Ain't No Sunshine, passed away in Los Angeles, his family announced on Friday. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Completa tu colección de Bill Withers. The songwriter achieved three Grammy awards during his career for Ain't No Sunshine in 1971, Just The Two Of Us in 1981 and Lean On Me in 1987. 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. “Lean on Me,” a paean to friendship, was performed at the inaugurations of both Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. Billy Dee Williams tweeted “your music cheered my heart and soothed my soul” and Chance the Rapper said Withers’ songs are “some of the best songs of all time” and “my heart really hurts for him.” Lenny Kravitz said “My soul always has and always will be full of your music.”, “We lost a giant of songwriting today,” ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams said in a statement. Ivanka Trump tweeted: "Bill Withers, one of the absolute all-time greats has passed. "Your humility displayed & depth of your power as you carried us all to a better place. Bill Withers Withers in 1976 Background information Birth name William Harrison Withers Jr. Born (1938-07-04) July 4, 1938 Slab Fork, West Virginia, U.S. Died March 30, 2020 (2020-03-30) (aged 81) Los Angeles, California, U.S. BILL WITHERS has died aged 81 following heart complications. " Lovely Day " is a song by American soul and R&B singer Bill Withers. His new executives found Withers difficult. His music has been covered by such artists as Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Tom Jones, Linda Ronstadt, Paul McCartney, Sting, Johnny Mathis, Aaron Neville, Al Jarreau, Mick Jagger, Nancy Wilson, Diana Ross. You're still & always will be Bill.". None of his Columbia albums reached the Top 40 except for 1977’s “Menagerie,” which produced “Lovely Day.” (His hit duet with Grover Washington Jr. “Just the Two of Us” was on Washington’s label). View our online Press Pack. When Sussex went bankrupt, Withers signed to Columbia Records. Though his songs often dealt with relationships, Withers also wrote ones with social commentary, including “Better Off Dead” about an alcoholic’s suicide, and “I Can’t Write Left-Handed,” about an injured Vietnam War veteran. I guess I was one of those three.”. 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. Lovely Day was published by Bill Withers in 1977. Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits, FILE - In this June 21, 2006 file photo, singer-songwriter Bill Withers poses in his office in Beverly Hills, Calif. 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," died in Los Angeles from heart complications on Monday, March 30, 2020. The Leon On Me singer, who also wrote Lovely Day and Ain't No Sunshine, passed away in Los Angeles, his family announced on 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. “As private a life as he lived close to intimate family and friends, his music forever belongs to the world. Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552. They have powerful melodies and perfect grooves melded with a smooth voice that conveys honesty and complex emotions without vocal acrobatics. In 1971, the signer signed a record deal with Sussex Records where he put out his debut album Just As I Am, which included the hit Ain't No Sunshine. News Corp is a network of leading companies in the worlds of diversified media, news, education, and information services. During his time with Columbia the soul singer released the album Menagerie, which included the hit track Lovely Day. “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father. The song appeared in Bill’s 1978 album “Menagerie”. Rapper Juicy J said: "R.I.P. “He’s the last African-American Everyman,” musician and band leader Questlove told Rolling Stone in 2015. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. He was a beautiful man with a stunning sense of humor and a gift for truth.”. “It added to my joy in the good times, and also gave me comfort and inspiration when I needed it most,” she tweeted. Escrita por Withers y Skip Scarborough, fue lanzada el 21 de diciembre de 1977 y aparece en el álbum de 1978 de Withers, Menagerie. In this difficult time, we pray his music offers comfort and entertainment as fans hold tight to loved ones.”. He was 81. ", I don’t think I’ve done bad for a guy from Slab Fork, West Virginia". 3 on the Billboard charts and spent a total of 16 weeks in the top 40. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Comments are subject to our community guidelines, which can be viewed. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015 by Stevie Wonder. Lovely Day (canción) Lovely Day es una canción del cantante estadounidense de soul y R&B Bill Withers. Fire breaks out at Covid vaccination hub as people forced to run from building, Covid deaths & cases fall 27% in a week as 621 more die and 13,308 infected, England's Willis suffers sickening injury as ITV refuse to show replay vs Italy, Two bodies found after car plunged into flooded River Trent and swept away, 14K game birds culled in bird flu outbreak as public urged to stay away from them, ©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. In 2015, Withers was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Stevie Wonder. 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. “I’m not a virtuoso, but I was able to write songs that people could identify with. ‘Lean On Me,’ ‘Lovely Day’ singer Bill Withers dies at 81 Withers’ songs during his brief career have become the soundtracks of countless engagements, weddings … Lovely Day (Remastered) - Single Mp3 Download Bill Withers. Star Wars actor Billy Dee Williams wrote: "One day I will play this song again because it IS a lovely day. And Bill seemed to understand, intrinsically and instinctively, how to do that,” Sting said in “Still Bill,” a 2010 documentary of Withers. But Withers’ career stalled when Sussex Records went bankrupt and he was scooped up by Columbia Records. His “Live at Carnegie Hall” in 1973 made Rolling Stone’s 50 Greatest Live Albums of All Time. 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.”. Lovely Day “Lovely Day” is one of late American R&B and soul singer Bill Withers’ most well-known and well loved songs.