Bill Withers, the man who wrote and sang songs such as 'Lean on Me', 'Lovely Day' and 'Ain't No Sunshine', has passed away aged 81, according to his family.
The three-time Grammy Award winner passed away on Monday in Los Angeles. His death comes at a particularly poignant time as crowds of people have been inspired by his music throughout the coronavirus pandemic - posting their own renditions of 'Lean on Me' on to social media platforms.
In their statement to Associated Press, his family said: "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.
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"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."
Withers, who overcame a childhood stutter, was born the last of six children in the coal mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia. After his parents divorced when he was three, Withers was raised by his mother's family in nearby Beckley.
He joined the Navy at 17 and spent nine years in the service as an aircraft mechanic installing toilets. After his discharge, he moved to Los Angeles, worked at an aircraft parts factory, bought a guitar at a pawn shop and recorded demos of his tunes in hopes of landing a recording contract.
In 1971 the father-of-two signed to Sussex Records and released his first album Just as I Am which included the hit 'Ain't No Sunshine' - the song went on to climb to No. 3 on the US Billboard charts and spent a total of 16 weeks in the top 40.
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Withers went on to generate more hits a year later including the inspirational 'Lean on Me' then came 'Lovely Day' which was co-written with Skip Scarborough and featuring Withers holding the word 'day' for almost 19 seconds.
He was awarded Grammys as a songwriter for 'Ain't No Sunshine' in 1972 and for 'Just the Two of Us' in 1982. Then, in '88, Bill received his ninth Grammy nomination and third Grammy as a songwriter for the re-recording of the 1972 hit 'Lean on Me' by Club Nouveau.
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