![]() ![]() ![]() The joyous Lovely Day, with its signature 18-second-long held note, was his only UK Top 10 hit, reaching No 7 in 1977 and No 4 in 1988. Just the Two of Us, another song of solidarity, was successfully covered by Will Smith and sampled by Eminem (as well as being spoofed by Bill Cosby and Mike Myers). Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka wrote on Twitter: “There is no more appropriate time to reflect on his words than now as we lean on each other.” It has also become an anthem during the coronavirus outbreak, sung by schoolchildren and in impromptu balcony renditions to show support for one another. Heavily influenced by the church hymns and gospel music of his childhood, it was his first and only No 1 single on the US Billboard pop charts, in 1972. Ain’t No Sunshine is regarded as one of the all-time great breakup tracks, while Lean on Me, an ode to the supportive power of friendship, was performed at the inaugurations of presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. ![]() Withers’ songs are some of the most beloved in the American songbook. ![]() What a legacy.” Chance the Rapper said Withers “was really the greatest”, while Chic’s Nile Rodgers described him as “class, class and more class”. Lin-Manuel Miranda was among those paying tribute, writing: “Rest In Peace, maestro Bill Withers. In this difficult time, we pray his music offers comfort and entertainment as fans hold tight to loved ones. As private a life as he lived close to intimate family and friends, his music forever belongs to the world. 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. We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father. He is survived by his wife Marcia Johnson and their two children, Todd and Kori. ![]()
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January 2023
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