The ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ singer’s death is not thought to be coronavirus-related
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Bill Withers has died of heart complications, it has been announced.
The soul singer, best known for a string of major hits including Lean on Me, Ain’t No Sunshine and Lovely Day – passed away on Monday, his family confirmed.
The beloved musician overcame a speech impediment and a poor rural upbringing to forge a career in music during the 1970s – and was dubbed “the closest thing black people have to a Bruce Springsteen” by the musician Questlove.
His death is not thought to be coronavirus-related, but his music has become particularly resonant during the pandemic – with many clips surfacing of communities singing Lean on Me from isolation.
‘His music belongs to the world’
A statement from the family said: “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.
“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.”
The singer is survived by his wife Marcia and their two children, Todd and Kori.
‘I write songs people could identify with’
Withers retired from music in 1985, after a fall-out with executives at his record label exerting creative control over his music – who he termed “blaxperts”.
He later explained of the row: “You gonna tell me the history of the blues? I am the goddamn blues! Look at me… I’m the first man in my family not to work in the coal mines, my mother scrubbed floors on her knees for a living, and you’re going to tell me about the goddamn blues because you read some book written by John Hammond? Kiss my ass.”
Reflecting on his own career at the time, he said: “I see it as an award of attrition. What few songs I wrote during my brief career, there ain’t a genre that somebody didn’t record them in.
“I’m not a virtuoso, but I was able to write songs that people could identify with. I don’t think I’ve done bad for a guy from Slab Fork, West Virginia.”
