June 26th 2024.
The news of Bill Withers' passing on April 3, 2020 was met with an overwhelming display of love and admiration for the talented songwriter and musician. It's no surprise, considering his music touched the hearts of people of all ages, races, religions, and backgrounds. Songs like "Lean On Me," which has recently become a source of comfort and unity during these difficult times of social distancing, have solidified Withers' musical legacy.
While his songs like "Lovely Day" and "Just the Two of Us" earned him a spot in both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, there is more to Withers' career than just his chart-topping hits. In fact, his success in the music business allowed him to live a life of financial freedom and independence until his passing at the age of 81.
But behind the scenes, Withers' journey to success was not an easy one. He didn't have access to the best education or resources, but what he did have was a hunger for success and a strong work ethic. Withers was self-taught and relied on his natural talent and passion for music to guide him. Growing up in Slab Fork, West Virginia, a town marked by racism and a music scene dominated by country and gospel, Withers' determination to succeed was rooted in his upbringing. He even overcame a stutter while serving in the Navy, and later taught himself to play the guitar during his time working at a California aircraft parts factory after returning from the Vietnam War.
Despite facing rejection from major record labels in the early stages of his career, Withers' perseverance eventually paid off. After meeting with Clarence Avant, a music executive known as the Black Godfather, Withers was signed to a new indie label and teamed up with producer Booker T. Jones to create his debut album, Just As I Am. The album featured two of his most beloved songs, "Grandma's Hands" and "Ain't No Sunshine," which have been covered by numerous artists and even have their own Wikipedia page. Through this experience, Withers learned the valuable lesson that rejection is just a part of the process, and it's important to keep pushing forward.
Even with his growing success, Withers remained humble and grounded. He never quit his day job at Weber Aircraft, and even used his earnings from his debut album to buy a piano and teach himself how to play. This ultimately led to the creation of his iconic song "Lean on Me," which became a symbol of friendship and unity during times of crisis.
Throughout his career, Withers stayed true to himself and his own vision. He never hired a manager, produced his own songs, wrote his own liner notes, and even designed his own album covers. He also maintained creative control over his music while signed to Sussex Records, but unfortunately, this came to an end when the company went bankrupt in 1975. Withers then signed a 5-record deal with Columbia Records, but the experience left a sour taste in his mouth due to the racist remarks made by his A&R representative. Despite this setback, Withers continued to make music on his own terms until his retirement in 1985.
But Withers' retirement didn't mean the end of his career. In fact, he continued to earn money from his songs, thanks to his wise decision to reinvest in his business and secure his financial stability for the long term. He also found love and happiness in his marriage to Marcia Johnson, who has been instrumental in managing his publishing companies and securing placements of his songs in various media.
In the end, Bill Withers' legacy is not just his incredible music, but also the lessons he taught us through his journey. He showed us that hard work, determination, and staying true to oneself can lead to great success, and that success is not just measured by fame and fortune, but also by personal fulfillment and financial stability. His impact on the music industry and the world will continue to be felt for generations to come.
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