Bill Withers

William Harrison Withers, Jr., (July 4, 1938 – March 30, 2020), was a singer, songwriter, musician and producer who won three Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.

After 9 years in the Navy, Bill left the service and moved to Los Angeles in 1967 where self-financed demos eventually led him to Clarence Avant of Sussex Records who chose Booker T. Jones to produce his 1971 debut album, Just As I Am. This album produced the Grammy winning “Ain’t No Sunshine” and the classic “Grandma’s Hands”.

The 1972 follow-up album, Still Bill produced the iconic “Lean on Me” and “Use Me”.

Wither’s second Grammy, again for Best Rhythm & Blues Song, was for the 1981 hit “Just the Two of Us” which he co-wrote with Ralph MacDonald and William Salter. His third Grammy (from nine nominations), again for Best Rhythm & Blues Song, was for the 1987 cover of his song “Lean on Me” by Club Nouveau.