Bill Withers facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 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.
Genres	R&B soul
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter musician record producer
Instruments	Vocals guitar keyboards
Years active	1967–1985
Labels	Sussex Columbia
Associated acts	Grover Washington Jr., the Crusaders, Don Henley, Steve Lukather

William Harrison Withers Jr. (born July 4, 1938 – died March 30, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He was famous for many hit songs during his 18-year career. Some of his most well-known songs include "Ain't No Sunshine" (1971), "Lean on Me" (1972), and "Lovely Day" (1977). Bill Withers won three Grammy Awards for his music.

His life story was told in a 2009 movie called Still Bill. Bill Withers was honored by being added to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015. Two of his songs are even in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Bill Withers' Early Life

Bill Withers was the youngest of six children. He was born in a small coal-mining town called Slab Fork, West Virginia, on July 4, 1938. His mother, Mattie, was a maid, and his father, William, was a miner. Bill was born with a stutter, which made it hard for him to fit in sometimes.

His parents divorced when he was three years old. He was then raised by his mother's family in Beckley, West Virginia. Bill was 13 when his father passed away. At 17, he joined the United States Navy. He served for nine years, and during this time, he became very interested in singing and writing songs.

Starting a Music Career

After leaving the Navy in 1965, Bill Withers moved to Los Angeles in 1967. He wanted to start a career in music. His very first song, "Three Nights and a Morning," came out in 1967. It didn't become popular then, but Bill later changed it into another song called "Harlem."

While trying to make it in music, Bill worked at different companies. He worked as an assembler for places like Douglas Aircraft and Ford. He used his own money to record demo tapes of his songs. At night, he would perform in clubs. When his song "Ain't No Sunshine" became a big hit in 1971, he still didn't quit his job. He believed the music business could be unpredictable.

Becoming a Music Star

Bill Withers kept working hard on his music skills, especially learning to play the guitar.

Joining Sussex Records

Withers in a 1971 ad for his album Just as I Am

In early 1970, Bill Withers's demo tape was heard by Clarence Avant. Avant owned Sussex Records and liked what he heard. He signed Bill to a record deal. Booker T. Jones, a famous producer, was chosen to produce Bill's first album.

His first album, Just as I Am, was released in 1971. It included the hit songs "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Grandma's Hands". The album cover shows Bill at his job at Weber Aircraft in Burbank, California, holding his lunch box.

The album was a big success. Bill Withers started touring with his band. He won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for "Ain't No Sunshine" in 1972. This song sold over one million copies.

While taking a break from touring, Bill recorded his second album, Still Bill. The song "Lean on Me" became a number one hit in July 1972. It was his second song to sell over a million copies. His next song, "Use Me," also sold over a million copies. Bill's concert at Carnegie Hall in October 1972 was recorded and released as a live album. In 1974, he released the album +'Justments.

Bill Withers also performed in Zaire in 1974. This was before the famous boxing match between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali. Parts of his performance were shown in the documentary films When We Were Kings and Soul Power.

Moving to Columbia Records

After Sussex Records closed, Bill Withers signed with Columbia Records in 1975. His first album with them was Making Music. Over the next three years, he released an album each year.

From 1977 to 1985, Bill focused on working with other artists. He sang "Just the Two of Us" with jazz saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. in 1980. This song won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. He also sang "Soul Shadows" with the Crusaders and "In the Name of Love" with Ralph MacDonald.

In 1985, he released Watching You, Watching Me. This album included the popular R&B song "Oh Yeah!" It was his last studio album. Bill Withers decided to stop recording music after 1985. He said he didn't enjoy how record labels tried to control his sound. He felt he was a "regular guy" who had a life before music. He didn't miss touring or performing live after he left the music industry.

Later Achievements

In 1988, a new version of his 1977 song "Lovely Day" was released. It became even more popular in the UK.

At the 30th Annual Grammy Awards in 1988, Bill Withers won another Grammy. He won for writing "Lean on Me," which was re-recorded by the group Club Nouveau.

Withers at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015

In 2005, Bill Withers was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In April 2015, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Stevie Wonder. He said he was proud to be recognized for the songs he wrote. Later that year, a special concert was held to honor him at Carnegie Hall. Many famous artists performed his songs. Bill Withers attended and spoke briefly at the concert.

Bill Withers' Legacy

Bill Withers was known for his smooth voice and beautiful soul music. He wrote some of the most famous songs of the 1970s, like "Lean on Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine." "Lean on Me" has been a hit many times by different artists. With "Lovely Day," he held a note for 18 seconds, which was a record on American music charts.

Many people consider his songs to be among the most loved in American music. "Ain't No Sunshine" is seen as a great breakup song, while "Lean on Me" is about the strong support of friendship. Writers have noted that his songs often had deep feelings hidden beneath their gentle sound. He was able to write songs that many people could connect with.

Musicians like Sade, D'Angelo, Justin Timberlake, John Legend, and Ed Sheeran have said that Bill Withers inspired their music.

Personal Life and Family

Withers with his daughter Kori at a 2008 tribute concert

Bill Withers married actress Denise Nicholas in 1973. They divorced in 1974.

In 1976, Bill married Marcia Johnson. They had two children, Todd and Kori. Marcia later managed his music publishing companies. His children also became involved in the business as they grew up.

Bill Withers passed away from heart problems in a Los Angeles hospital on March 30, 2020. He was 81 years old. His family announced his death four days later. He is buried in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Discography

Studio albums

• Just as I Am (1971)
• Still Bill (1972)
• +'Justments (1974)
• Making Music (1975)
• Naked & Warm (1976)
• Menagerie (1977)
• 'Bout Love (1978)
• Watching You, Watching Me (1985)

Live albums

• Live at Carnegie Hall (1973)

Compilation albums

• The Best of Bill Withers (1975)
• The Best of Bill Withers (1980)
• Bill Withers' Greatest Hits (1981)
• Lean on Me: The Best of Bill Withers (1994)
• The Best of Bill Withers: Lean on Me (2000)
• The Ultimate Bill Withers Collection (2000)
• Lovely Day: The Very Best of Bill Withers (2005)
• Ain't No Sunshine: The Best of Bill Withers (2008)
• Playlist: The Very Best of Bill Withers (2009)
• The Essential Bill Withers (2013)

Awards and Honors

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are very important music awards. Bill Withers won three Grammys and was nominated nine times.

Other Honors

• 2005: Inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame
• 2006: ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage award
• 2007: Inducted into West Virginia Music Hall of Fame
• 2015: Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• 2017: Honorary degree from West Virginia University

See also

In Spanish: Bill Withers para niños