William Harrison Withers Jr., known as Bill Withers, was a prominent American singer and songwriter renowned for his distinctive voice and heartfelt lyrics. Over his 18-year career, Withers delivered several iconic hits such as "Ain't No Sunshine," "Grandma's Hands," "Use Me," "Lean on Me," "Lovely Day," and "Just the Two of Us." These songs not only resonated with audiences but also achieved significant commercial success, solidifying Withers' place in music history. His talents earned him three Grammy Awards from a total of nine nominations, highlighting his influence and contribution to the music industry. Withers' music continues to be celebrated for its soulful sound and emotional depth, appealing to generations of listeners.
July 4, 1938: Birth of Bill Withers
Bill Withers was born on July 4, 1938, marking the beginning of the life of an acclaimed American singer and songwriter known for his hits like "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Lean on Me."
1965: Departure from the Navy
In 1965, Bill Withers left the United States Navy after serving for nine years, during which he developed an interest in singing and songwriting. His departure marked the beginning of his journey towards a career in music.
1967: Release of "Three Nights and a Morning"
In 1967, Bill Withers released his debut song "Three Nights and a Morning," arranged by Mort Garson. Although it initially went unnoticed, it was later reworked by Withers into the track "Harlem," showcasing his early attempts to break into the music industry.
1967: Move to Los Angeles to Pursue Music
In 1967, Bill Withers relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a music career following his departure from the Navy. This move was a pivotal step towards his eventual success as a singer-songwriter.
1970: Signing with Sussex Records
In 1970, Bill Withers was signed to Sussex Records by Clarence Avant, leading to the production of his first album. This marked the start of his professional recording career.
September 1971: Gold Disc Award for "Ain't No Sunshine"
In September 1971, Bill Withers' song "Ain't No Sunshine" was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA after selling over one million copies, marking a significant milestone in his music career.
1971: Success of "Ain't No Sunshine"
In 1971, Bill Withers achieved a breakthrough with his hit song "Ain't No Sunshine." Despite its success, he chose not to resign from his job, reflecting his cautious approach towards the music industry.
1971: Release of Just as I Am Album
In 1971, Bill Withers released his debut album "Just as I Am," featuring the singles "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Grandma's Hands." The album was successful and included a cover photo of Withers at his job, emphasizing his humble beginnings.
1971: Release of "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Grandma's Hands"
In 1971, Bill Withers released his hits "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Grandma's Hands," both of which contributed to his success as a singer-songwriter and established his career in music.
July 8, 1972: "Lean on Me" Reaches Number One
On July 8, 1972, Bill Withers' single "Lean on Me" reached number one on the charts, becoming his second gold single with sales exceeding three million copies.
August 1972: Release of "Use Me"
In August 1972, Bill Withers released "Use Me," which became his third million-seller and contributed to his growing success as a musician.
October 6, 1972: Performance at Carnegie Hall
On October 6, 1972, Bill Withers performed at Carnegie Hall, an event that was recorded and later released as a live album, showcasing his talent and stage presence.
October 12, 1972: Gold Disc Award for "Use Me"
On October 12, 1972, "Use Me" received a gold disc award from the RIAA, marking another commercial success for Bill Withers.
November 30, 1972: Release of Live Album at Carnegie Hall
On November 30, 1972, the live album "Bill Withers, Live at Carnegie Hall" was released, capturing his performance from October 6, 1972, and further solidifying his place in music history.
1972: Winning Grammy for "Ain't No Sunshine"
In 1972, Bill Withers won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for "Ain't No Sunshine," further establishing his reputation as a talented artist in the music industry.
1972: Success with "Lean on Me" and Grammy Win
In 1972, Bill Withers achieved significant success with the release of "Lean on Me," which became a number one hit. He also won a Grammy Award for "Ain't No Sunshine" at the 14th Annual Grammy Awards, solidifying his place in the music industry.
1973: Marriage to Denise Nicholas
In 1973, Bill Withers married actress Denise Nicholas during her time on the sitcom 'Room 222'. This relationship marked a significant personal event in his life.
October 1974: Concert Performance in Zaire
In October 1974, Bill Withers performed in a concert in Zaire alongside artists like James Brown and B.B. King, shortly before the historic Rumble in the Jungle fight. His performance was featured in the documentary "When We Were Kings" and "Soul Power."
1974: Release of +'Justments Album
In 1974, Bill Withers released the album +'Justments, continuing his streak of producing impactful music during his career.
1974: Release of +'Justments Album
In 1974, Bill Withers released the album +'Justments, which was noted for its introspective nature and personal themes. The album was later praised by Questlove for its candid reflection of Withers' life.
1975: Signing with Columbia Records
In 1975, after Sussex Records folded, Bill Withers signed with Columbia Records, marking a new phase in his music career.
1976: Marriage to Marcia Johnson
In 1976, Bill Withers married Marcia Johnson, with whom he had two children, Todd and Kori. Marcia later took on the management of Withers' publishing companies, involving their children as they grew older.
1976: Release of Naked & Warm Album
In 1976, Bill Withers released the album Naked & Warm, his first with Columbia Records as part of his ongoing music career.
1977: Focus on Joint Projects
In 1977, Bill Withers began focusing on joint projects due to difficulties with Columbia Records, leading to collaborations such as "Just the Two of Us" with Grover Washington Jr.
1977: Original Release of "Lovely Day"
In 1977, Bill Withers originally released "Lovely Day," a song that became one of his iconic hits and contributed to his musical legacy.
1977: Release of Menagerie Album
In 1977, Bill Withers released the album Menagerie, featuring the successful song "Lovely Day," further establishing his career with Columbia Records.
1977: Release of "Lovely Day"
In 1977, Bill Withers released the hit song "Lovely Day," further establishing his reputation as a talented singer-songwriter. The song became one of his well-known tracks and contributed to his enduring legacy.
1978: UK Chart Success of "Lovely Day"
In early 1978, Bill Withers' song "Lovely Day" reached number 7 on the UK charts, demonstrating its international appeal and success.
1978: Release of 'Bout Love Album
In 1978, Bill Withers released the album 'Bout Love, continuing his streak of annual releases with Columbia Records during the late 1970s.
1980: Collaboration with Grover Washington Jr. on "Just the Two of Us"
In 1980, Bill Withers collaborated with Grover Washington Jr. to release "Just the Two of Us," a song that became a significant hit and showcased his ability to work successfully with other artists.
February 1981: Release of "Just the Two of Us"
In February 1981, Bill Withers released "Just the Two of Us," a collaboration with Grover Washington Jr. that won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song, showcasing his continued success in joint projects.
1982: Rejection of Songs by Columbia Records
In 1982, Bill Withers experienced frustration with Columbia Records due to the rejection of songs that he believed in, contributing to an eight-year gap between album releases and his eventual departure from the label.
1985: Completion of Joint Project Phase
By 1985, Bill Withers concluded his focus on joint projects that began in 1977, marking the end of a significant period in his music career.
1985: End of Recording Career
In 1985, Bill Withers decided not to record or sign with another record label, effectively ending his performing career. This decision was influenced by his dissatisfaction with Columbia Records' attempts to control his sound and his lack of inherent need to continue in the music industry.
1985: Release of Watching You, Watching Me Album
In 1985, Bill Withers released "Watching You, Watching Me," featuring the Top 40 R&B single "Oh Yeah!," which marked the end of his association with Columbia Records and his final studio album.
1987: Success of 'Lean on Me' Cover
In 1987, the cover of 'Lean on Me' by Club Nouveau became a major hit, contributing to the song's status as a classic. This version of the song reached the top of the charts, demonstrating the lasting appeal of Withers' songwriting.
1988: Grammy Win for Best Rhythm and Blues Song
In 1988, Bill Withers won the Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues Song as the songwriter for Club Nouveau's re-recording of 'Lean on Me'. This achievement marked his third Grammy win and ninth nomination, highlighting his significant impact on music.
1988: Release of "Lovely Day (Sunshine Mix)"
In 1988, a new version of Bill Withers' 1977 hit "Lovely Day" was released as the "Sunshine Mix," remixed by Ben Liebrand. The re-release achieved success in the UK, climbing to number 4 on the charts.
1996: Inclusion in Documentary "When We Were Kings"
In 1996, footage of Bill Withers' 1974 performance in Zaire was included in the documentary "When We Were Kings," highlighting his involvement in a significant cultural event.
January 28, 2003: Reissue of Still Bill
On January 28, 2003, Bill Withers' classic album 'Still Bill' was reissued, sparking speculation about the potential release of previously unreleased material. This reissue marked a renewed interest in Withers' music and legacy.
2004: Contribution to Jimmy Buffett's Album
In 2004, Bill Withers contributed two songs to Jimmy Buffett's album 'License to Chill', showcasing his enduring influence and relevance in the music industry.
March 8, 2005: Reissue of Just As I Am
On March 8, 2005, Bill Withers' debut album 'Just As I Am' was reissued. This release continued the exploration of his musical contributions and piqued interest in any unreleased works.
2005: Induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
In 2005, Bill Withers was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, highlighting his exceptional talent in songwriting and his contribution to music.
2005: Induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
In 2005, Bill Withers was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, recognizing his exceptional talent and contributions to the field of songwriting.
2007: Induction of 'Lean on Me' into Grammy Hall of Fame
In 2007, Bill Withers' iconic song 'Lean on Me' was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, cementing its status as a timeless classic and underscoring Withers' lasting impact on music history.
2008: Inclusion in Documentary "Soul Power"
In 2008, Bill Withers' 1974 Zaire performance was featured in the documentary "Soul Power," showcasing his contribution to the memorable event leading up to the Rumble in the Jungle fight.
2009: Release of 'Still Bill' Documentary
In 2009, the documentary 'Still Bill' was released, exploring Bill Withers' decision to leave the music industry in 1985 and his contentment with that choice. The film provided insight into his life beyond music and his personal fulfillment.
2009: Release of Still Bill Documentary
In 2009, the documentary film "Still Bill" was released, focusing on the life and career of Bill Withers, highlighting his contributions to music and his personal journey.
2014: Grammy Award for Best Historical Album
In 2014, Bill Withers' collection 'The Complete Sussex & Columbia Albums Collection' won the Grammy Award for Best Historical Album, sharing the honor with the Rolling Stones. The award recognized the enduring appeal of Withers' music and was presented to producer Leo Sacks and mastering engineers.
April 2015: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In April 2015, Bill Withers was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Stevie Wonder. Withers expressed gratitude for the honor, acknowledging the broad appeal of his music and his humble beginnings in Slab Fork, West Virginia.
2015: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 2015, Bill Withers was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, honoring his significant impact on the music industry and his lasting legacy.
February 2017: Appearance on Joy Reid's MSNBC Show
In February 2017, Bill Withers appeared on Joy Reid's MSNBC show to discuss the refugee crisis and the political climate in America, demonstrating his engagement with contemporary social issues.
March 30, 2020: Death of Bill Withers
On March 30, 2020, Bill Withers passed away, closing the chapter on the life of a legendary singer-songwriter whose career spanned 18 years and earned him three Grammy Awards.
2023: Rolling Stone Ranking Among Greatest Singers
In 2023, Bill Withers was ranked at number 106 on Rolling Stone's list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, affirming his enduring influence and vocal prowess.