Seems he has just passed aged 81 from heart complications.

Such a great distinctive voice. RIP

sad new RIP

 

yet more sad news

RIP

thanks for letting us  know

 

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.

https://apnews.com/e19138ee60f29a319e45bcfba3e39331

 

Bill Withers - Harlem

 

We watched the BBC concert from 1973 only last week. Genuinely heartbreaking news.

Oh no i loved Bill his live album at Carnegie hall was superb,there is a documentary about him that is fabulous a really lovely man   Rest In Peace

I think that is James Gadson on drums in the video

Edited April 3, 20205 yr by Smudger
aditional info

A one of a kind.  His live at Carnegie Hall LP is as good as any live recording I have ever heard.  Saw him live myself after Lovely Day was a hit, he did not disappoint and came across as a truly nice man, heading to put on a certain LP. RIP

RIP Mr Withers, I used to shake my ass to this when I was a boy......what a legend

I loved, loved his quote

"These days," he said in 2015, "I wouldn't know a pop chart from a Pop-Tart."

 

Edited April 3, 20205 yr by Blackpoolsoul

One of my favorites has to be this. Although he's guesting on Ralph MacDonald's album, he's the one who makes it. Great trumpet solo too from Randy Brecker.

 

Unique voice and style. Everybody sings along to his big hits.

Son of a Coal Miner, and from West Virginia!

He had massive success and truly deserved it.

RIP Bill.

Ed

bbc interview

 

 

From Grover Washington's "Winelight" album -

 

Edited April 3, 20205 yr by The Yank

Really enjoyed his later music, including this gem from his last album. RIP Bill.

 

Just heard the news, sadly another great talent has flown from this world, can remember getting Still Bill album & playing it over & over, all the tracks still stand the test of time. 

 RIP Bill,

Still Bill, Just As I Am and the previously mentioned Live at Carnegie Hill remain great albums. A very under-rated artist who wrote many classic songs that have truly stood the test of time. RIP Bill

 

 

Rest in peace Mr Bill Withers . Thank you for your music 

A tremendous voice as smooth as silk 

R.I.P  Bill 

Love this track

 

Great to see his later music appreciated. Other than a general, background appreciation of the singles I had overlooked his music then heard Richard Searling play the song 'Watching You, Watching Me' and was very taken with it.

Similarly on a wonderful Kent compilation album about Vietnam related Soul, I first head 'I Can't Write Left Handed' which was quietly devastating.

Eventually like many I envisage, I bought a box set of all his albums which are a source of constant delight, far beyond his wonderful singles.

A true artist, decent man, someone who knew when to stop and go do something else positive with their life.  Thank you.

 

Edited April 3, 20205 yr by Thinksmart

such sad news. A softly spoken soul, with a beautiful unique voice. He reminds me of the other great talent Terry Callier in  musical style. A great songwriter and a lovely voice. Harlem was always a fave,  b side to Ain't no Sunshine which  is a beautifully crafted piece of music produced by Booker T Jones. RIP Bill Withers  a true troubadour.

 

 

 

"Ain't no sunshine "/ "Harlem " One of the best double siders EVER .      "Harlem " for me is the Number one Blaxploitation/ Northern track . Played "Grandmas  hands " live at Carnegie hall  ( maxi single )very loud for some reason just two days ago .  R.I.P .  Bill . 

Edited April 3, 20205 yr by Carty
Grammar

Here is the a fore mentioned documentary

Wow ! just watched it all the way through again ,it will make you laugh and it will make you cry but overall it will show what satisfaction with your own life is all about.

Edited April 4, 20205 yr by Smudger

RIP Bill. One of my favourites of his.

Cheers Paul

3 hours ago, Smudger said:

Here is the a fore mentioned documentary

Wow ! just watched it all the way through again ,it will make you laugh and it will make you cry but overall it will show what satisfaction with your own life is all about.

Thanks for that , a great documentary  and as you said it will make you laugh and cry , and Bill comes across as a great human being as well as a great artist.

bought all the early 70s stuff as it came out .........great singer r i p bill x

Always thought this should have had Modern plays. Maybe it did but not aware

 

Cheers Paul

RIP, Bill... you were one of the finest - and one of the nicest - of all soul singers..

I was only re-reading this article from Rolling Stone earlier in the week.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bill-withers-the-soul-man-who-walked-away-111535/

The beauty of his music was its simplicity.  I recall seeing him live at the Rainbow, Finsbury Park, back in 1974(?).  In an era when shows tended to be extravagant, e.g. James Brown, Earth Wind and Fire, Kool and the Gang, Ohio Players, Philly tour, Isaac Hayes (with no fewer than 62 people on and around the stage with him) etc, Bill just had a few musicians alongside, including Melvin Dunlap (bass) and James Gadson (drums).  Bill provided a relaxed spoken intro to each song, back in the day when a rap was a rap. Evidence that less can be more, a great performance, one of the best concerts I attended.

Too many favourites to list, but Who Is He And What Is He To You and Let Me Into Your Life (both covered by Creative Source) stand out.

Here is Blues and Soul's first introduction to the great man, along with some of his Sussex labelmates (#64 - 1971). 

I saw him live at Hammersmith in 1989 on a treble bill with Gerald Albright and Pieces of a Dream. I was looking forward to him the least but he was great, telling stories before each song sitting on a stool, fully justifying his headline status.

Edited April 6, 20205 yr by Daved

Anybody know if his first single Three Nights And A Morning on Lotus (1967) ever appeared in decent sound on an official compilation?

Most 45's seem to have pretty bad audio...