Scoreload

American singer-songwriter and musician renowned for his soulful, introspective songs drawn from everyday experiences. Born in West Virginia, Withers served in the US Navy before working factory jobs. He began his music career relatively late, signing with Sussex Records at age 32. His debut album 'Just As I Am' (1971) contained the classics 'Ain't No Sunshine' and 'Grandma's Hands'. He achieved massive success throughout the 1970s with hits like 'Lean on Me', 'Use Me', 'Lovely Day', and 'Just the Two of Us'. Withers abruptly retired from the music industry in 1985, largely due to dissatisfaction with the corporate side of the business. He received numerous accolades, including three Grammy Awards, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015.

• Withers was born with a stutter, which influenced his songwriting style towards clear, direct, and conversational lyrics.
• He served for nine years in the US Navy as an aircraft mechanic installer before pursuing music.
• While working at a factory making toilet seats for Boeing 747s, he recorded demos and shopped them to labels at night, leading to his record deal at age 32.
• He won Grammy Awards for 'Ain't No Sunshine' (Best R&B Song) and 'Just the Two of Us' (Best R&B Song). 'Lean on Me' won him a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male.
• Frustrated by record label politics and artistic interference after Sussex Records folded and he moved to Columbia, Withers chose to retire from recording and performing in 1985, despite being at the height of his fame, to prioritize his family life and personal integrity.
• He died from heart complications in Los Angeles on March 30, 2020.