Legendary soul artist Bill Withers has died at the age of 81 due to heart complications.
In a statement, his family shares that they pray Withers' music "offers comfort and entertainment as fans hold tight to loved ones" in this difficult time.
We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father. A solitary man with a heart driven to connect to the world at large, with his poetry and music, he spoke honestly to people and connected them to each other. As private a life as he lived close to intimate family and friends, his music forever belongs to the world. In this difficult time, we pray his music offers comfort and entertainment as fans hold tight to loved ones.”
The Grammy Award winner was behind the hit songs 'Ain't No Sunshine', 'Just The Two Of Us', 'Lean On Me', and 'Lovely Day'.
From Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda to Chance the Rapper, musicians and celebrities all over the world have paid tribute to Withers' incomparable legacy:
BANDWAGON TV
Aw man, Bill Withers was really the greatest. Grandma’s Hands, Ain’t No Sunshine, Lean on Me, Use Me Up, Just The Two Of Us and obviously Lovely Day are some of the best songs of all time. My heart really hurts for him, it reminds me of playing records with at my grandma’s house
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 3, 2020
Rest In Peace, maestro Bill Withers.
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) April 3, 2020
What a legacy.https://t.co/GBImqLRdPh
bill withers !!! 💕 ;( x https://t.co/2cqr9m3oSV
— olly ✨ (@alexander_olly) April 3, 2020
Nah...Bill Withers!
— Maverick Sabre (@MaverickSabre) April 3, 2020
Never got to see him live. A real legend. His voice and music will always live on.
His music has played some part in most of our lives. Never forgotten. One of the greats. ♥️
One of the greatest vocalists and songwriters ever. Love u Mr Withers https://t.co/wzbxsNCRHc
— Mark Ronson (@MarkRonson) April 3, 2020
#RIPBillWithers Class, class and more class. https://t.co/nmdufDEpFP
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) April 3, 2020
Peace and love, Bill Withers.💔 pic.twitter.com/cEWBxC45jl
— Susanna Hoffs (@SusannaHoffs) April 3, 2020
Rest in power Bill Withers. Your voice, songs, and total expression gave us love, hope, and strength. My soul always has & always will be full of your music. Your humility displayed & depth of your power as you carried us all to a better place. You're still & always will be Bill. pic.twitter.com/mkpcSBfuZv
— Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) April 3, 2020
I’m very sad to hear about Bill Withers passing. Bill was a “songwriter’s songwriter” and wrote so many great songs like “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean On Me.” A real loss. Love & Mercy to Bill’s family. – Brian pic.twitter.com/dUGAre6Bjt
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) April 3, 2020
RIP Bill Withers! The day our daughter Kaavia James came into this world-“Lovely Day” was our song of choice for her entry into the world. Thank you Bill Withers for creating a song that will forever be apart of our lives ❤️ 🙏🏾
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) April 3, 2020
RIP Bill Withers 💔
— K A C E Y (@KaceyMusgraves) April 3, 2020
So sad to hear Bill Withers has passed. If you’ve never heard it, listen to Live at Carnegie Hall. ♥️https://t.co/id5hgGuk3O
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) April 3, 2020
Today we lost one of the sweetest souls. Bill Withers RIP. A more gentle, poetic and dignified man you will struggle to find. He was gracious enough to let me sample him on ‘demons’. Check out ‘Grandma’s Hands’ to remember one of soul music’s finest songwriters... xxx pic.twitter.com/iKzQD1rGJG
— Fatboy Slim (@FatboySlim) April 3, 2020
Bill Withers. 🖤
— Moses Sumney (@MosesSumney) April 3, 2020
Ain’t no sunshine now he’s gone... Farewell Bill Withers, your songs helped us all through good times and bad... revel in one of the greatest television performances ever... a man not afraid to bare his soul, and what a soul. WC https://t.co/PDFBfRF02r
— Coldplay🌙☀️ (@coldplay) April 3, 2020
Mourning the loss of my friend and inspiration, Bill Withers. He was such an incredible songwriter and storyteller. I'm so glad he shared his gift with the world. Life wouldn't be the same without him.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 3, 2020
What a poignant writer whose songs are more relevant than ever right now💜 May music always bring us together! Rest in paradise to the magnificent #BillWithers 🕊 https://t.co/smITA9MKFO
— Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) April 3, 2020
RIP Bill Withers. What a voice and story.
— FLYLO (@flyinglotus) April 3, 2020
Listen to his discography here:
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