bill withers
Bill Withers (born July 4, 1938 in Slab Fork, West Virginia) is an American singer-songwriter who performed and recorded from the late 1960s until the mid 1980s. [1]
Songwriter/singer/guitarist Bill Withers is best remembered for the classic “Lean on Me” and his other million-selling singles “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Use Me,” but he has a sizable cache of great songs to his credit…. [2]
Singer/songwriter Bill Withers’ contribution to the golden era of 1970s soul is nearly incalculable, so great were the half dozen singles for which he’s best remembered. [3]
His second album Still Bill also did well on the charts. [1]
Four three-hour studio sessions were planned to record the album, but funding caused the album to be recorded in three sessions with a six-month break between the second and final sessions. [4]
But those are just the beginning: Withers’ body of work is surprisingly deep, with almost no filler, and most of the album cuts offer as much to fans as any of his hits. [3]
Stax Records stalwart Booker T. Jones produced his debut album, Just As I Am (with some co-production by Al Jackson, Jr.), which included his first charting single, “Ain’t No Sunshine” that went gold and made it to number six R&B and number three pop in summer 1971 and won a Grammy as Best R&B Song. [5]
Some of his best-known songs are “Lean on Me “, “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Use Me,” “Just the Two of Us “, “Lovely Day,” and “Grandma’s Hands “. [...] When he debuted with the song “Ain’t No Sunshine ” he refused to resign his job because of his belief that the music business was a fickle industry and that he was still a novice compared to other acts. [4]
It was recorded during a break in the “Just As I Am” tour and included the well-known single “Lean on Me,” which went to #1 on the charts on July 8, 1972. [1]
With his soulful delivery and warm, heartfelt sincerity, Bill Withers has penned the songs that have ‘ and always will ‘ resonate deeply within the fabric of our times. [...] His debut album, 1971’s Just As I Am, was an instant hit with the strength of songs such as ‘Ain’t No Sunshine,’ which won the Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Song. [...] I love the music in your soul and the soul in your music. [...] 1972’s Still Bill, however, truly catapulted Withers to legendary standing; among other gems on the album was the often covered ‘Use Me’ and the classic ‘Lean on Me,’ arguably one of the most uplifting and incredible songs in all of recorded music. [6]
There was a duet single with Bobby Womack on United Artists, “It’s All Over Now,” from summer 1975. [5]
Sources:
[1] Bill Withers ‘ Discover music, videos, concerts, & pictures at Last.fm
[2] Bill Withers | Music Artist, Videos, Photos, News, Ringtones, Album
[3] Bill Withers Music Online, Music Downloads, Music Videos and Lyrics …
[4] Bill Withers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[5] Amazon.com: Bill Withers: Albums, Songs, Bios, Photos
[6] Bill Withers on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music …