bill withers
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. [1]
Al Jarreau recorded an entire CD of Withers ‘ songs on Tribute to Bill Withers (Culture Press 1998). [2]
Bill Withers (born July 4, 1938) is an American vocalist and hall-of-fame songwriter who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. [3]
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…. [4]
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. [1]
Withers wrote “Lean on Me” based on his experiences growing up in a West Virginia coal mining town. [2]
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. [3]
Having signed to Sussex Records, Withers’ talent was evidenced by all with the 1971 release of his debut album JUST AS I AM. [5]
Some of his best-known songs are “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Use Me,” “Lovely Day,” “Lean on Me “, “Grandma’s Hands “, and “Just the Two of Us “. [3]
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. [6]
He did however go on to write and produce two songs on the Gladys Knight & the Pips record I FEEL A SONG. [...] ‘Lean On Me’ went to number one the week of July 8, 1972, but did not garner a Grammy award until 1987 when it was re-recorded by Club Nouveau. [5]
“Just As I Am” featured lead guitar by Stephen Stills and hit number five R&B in summer 1971. [2]
His second release, 1972’s Still Bill, became a career disc, with top hits “Use Me” and “Lean On Me,” arguably one of the greatest songs of the past half century. [7]
His debut for the label MAKING MUSIC, MAKING FRIENDS featured the popular ‘Make Love To Your Mind,’ the brilliant ‘Hello Like Before’ covered by many jazz artists, ‘Paint Your Pretty Picture,’ and ‘She’s Lonely’ which graced the ‘Looking For Mr. Goodbar’ motion picture and soundtrack. [5]
Sources:
[1] Bill Withers: Information from Answers.com
[2] Bill Withers | View the Music Artists Biography Online | VH1.com
[3] Bill Withers - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[4] Bill Withers | Music Artist, Videos, Photos, News, Ringtones, Album
[5] Biography, Awards and Credits
[6] Bill Withers on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music …
[7] Bill Withers | SoulTracks - Soul Music Biographies, News and Reviews