Bill Withers | Artist

William Harrison Withers Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter and musician born 1938 in Slab Fork, West Virginia. He recorded several major hits, including "Ain't No Sunshine", "Grandma's Hands", "Use Me", "Lean on Me", "Lovely Day", and "Just the Two of Us". He won three Grammy Awards and was nominated for six more. Withers enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17, and served for nine years, during which time he became interested in singing and writing songs. A demo tape he made was auditioned by Clarence Avant, owner of Sussex Records, who signed the Withers to a record deal and assigned former Stax Records producer Booker T Jones to produce his first album. The excellent Just As I Am was released in 1971 with the tracks "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Grandma's Hands" as singles. The album features Stephen Stills playing lead guitar and, on the album cover, Withers is pictured at his job at Weber Aircraft in Burbank, holding his lunch box. He went on to release Eight studio albums, one superb live album and 37 Singles. Standout albums include Just As I Am, Still Bill, +'Justments and Live at Carnegie Hall. Withers was known for his smooth baritone vocals and sumptuous soul arrangements. He wrote some of the most covered songs of the 1970s, including "Lean on Me" and "Ain't No Sunshine". Withers worked as a professional musician for just 15 years, from 1970 to 1985, after which he moved on to other occupations.

Artist Website: billwithers.com

Featured Albums: Bill Withers

Related Artists: Grover Washington Jr

Video Clips: Grandma's Hands, Ain't No Sunshine, Lean on Me