‘Lean On Me,’ ‘Lovely Day’ singer Bill Withers dies at 81

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

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.

https://apnews.com/e19138ee60f29a319e45bcfba3e39331


In the report Withers died of Heart complications.

 

[vchimpanzee]

I first became aware of him on "Just the Two of Us", which was actually credited to Grover Washington Jr., who played the sax.

 

[radioman148]

Loved his music. RIP!

 

[TheBigA]

I first became aware of him on "Just the Two of Us", which was actually credited to Grover Washington Jr., who played the sax.

It was credited to Grover because it was on Grover's record. At the time, Bill was fighting with his record label (it went on for most of the 80s). The only way for him to get it recorded was to have Grover put it on his album, which was for another record label. Bill co-wrote the song with Grover's producer Ralph MacDonald. Bill did several collaborations with other people during this time for this reason.

 

[crainbebo]

Nooooooooooooooo!!!

What a horrible thing to wake up to! Loved his music! 'Ain't No Sunshine,' 'Lean on Me,' 'Use Me,' 'Just the Two of Us,' the whole works.

May he forever RIP.

 

[vchimpanzee]

It was credited to Grover because it was on Grover's record. At the time, Bill was fighting with his record label (it went on for most of the 80s). The only way for him to get it recorded was to have Grover put it on his album, which was for another record label. Bill co-wrote the song with Grover's producer Ralph MacDonald. Bill did several collaborations with other people during this time for this reason.

The next year the songwriters performed nominated songs on The Grammys. Bill could sing, but his co-writers shouldn't have.

 

[John Gallagher]

"Lovely Day" is one of those songs that while not being a hit when it came out, charting at #30, has received airplay in recent years on satellite radio and possibly some classic hits stations.

 

[CTListener]

"Lovely Day" is one of those songs that while not being a hit when it came out, charting at #30, has received airplay in recent years on satellite radio and possibly some classic hits stations.

I've noticed its presence on SiriusXM over the years with some puzzlement, since, as you say, it wasn't a hit by any conventional measurement. A personal favorite of some programmer, perhaps? Or was it featured in some movie or on some TV show?

 

[cyber]

Prize possession

A favorite since it first came out in vinyl:"Making Music." There were so many good songs on that album but the one real stand out that still deserves airplay and one of the best songs ever written,"Hello Like Before." Unforgettable!

 

[firepoint525]

I've noticed its presence on SiriusXM over the years with some puzzlement, since, as you say, it wasn't a hit by any conventional measurement. A personal favorite of some programmer, perhaps? Or was it featured in some movie or on some TV show?

It is worth noting that when "Lovely Day" came out, it had (at that time, I believe) the longest-held sustained note within a song. That record has been broken several times over since then, but I believe that it held the record when it came out.

Either that, or it just wasn't appreciated during its heyday. Plenty of songs like that.

 

[staggmovie]

I am hearing on a local radio show that he was married to Denise Nicholas that would go on to be in Room 227, where they married on January 17th, 1973 they had some problems or whatever for their divorce the following year, I don't know when as it just says for both of them January 17, 1973-1974. This was his first marriage, this was marriage #2 for her, he remarried to the woman that became his widow, while she married and ivorced. And she had tweeted out, that she is glad that they had worked out their problems that led to their divorce.