On this day July 4, 1938, music genius Bill Withers was born in Slab Fork, West Virginia. Withers was a singer, musician, record producer and songwriter.
Withers music career spanned 18 years and throughout that time period he released some of the biggest hits that are still heard around the globe today. These songs include “Ain’t No Sunshine”, “Grandmas Hands” “Use Me”, “Lovely Day”, and “Just the Two of Us”.
In 1972 “Lean on Me” reached #1 in the U.S. In 1998 “Lovely Day”, peaked at #4 on the UK charts. During this song Withers holds a note for 18 seconds. It is believed to be the second longest note held by a vocalist in UK chart history. Morten Harket of the band A-ha holds the record in the UK for holding a note for 20 seconds in “Summer Moved On”.
Bill Withers received 9 Grammy nominations and won 3. He passed away in 2020 due to heart complications.
William Harrison Withers Jr. (July 4, 1938 – March 30, 2020).