Bill Withers
William Harrison Withers Jr. (July 4, 1938 – March 30, 2020) was an American singer and songwriter. He had several hits over a career spanning 18 years, including "Ain't No Sunshine" (1971), "Grandma's Hands" (1971), "Use Me" (1972), "Lean on Me" (1972), "Lovely Day" (1977) and "Just the Two of Us" (1980). Withers won three Grammy Awards and was nominated for six more.
For the Australian politician, see Bill Withers (politician). For the Welsh sportsman, see Bill Withers (snooker player). For other people with similar names, see William Withers (disambiguation).
Bill Withers
William Harrison Withers Jr.
July 4, 1938
Slab Fork, West Virginia, U.S.
March 30, 2020 (aged 81)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Singer
- songwriter
- musician
- record producer
- Vocals
- guitar
- keyboards
1967–1985, 2004
His life was the subject of the 2009 documentary film Still Bill.[2] Withers was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.[3][4] Two of his songs were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[5]
Early life[edit]
William Harrison Withers Jr., the youngest of six children, was born in the small coal mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia, on July 4, 1938.[6][7] He was the son of Mattie (née Galloway), a maid, and William Withers, a miner.[4] Withers was of African-American and English descent. He developed a stutter as a child and later said he had a hard time fitting in.[8] His parents divorced when he was three, and he was raised by his mother's family in nearby Beckley, West Virginia.[9] He was 13 years old when his father died.[8]
Accolades[edit]
Grammy Awards[edit]
The Grammy Awards are bestowed by The Recording Academy. Withers has won three Grammys from nine nominations.[58]
