Bill Withers passed away at age 81

Singer-songwriter Bill Withers infused the 70s with his soulful and sweeping sound over a background of timeless funk and blues tunes. On Friday, April 3, Withers passed away from heart complications at age 81.

He was the youngest of six children from West Virginia, born on the 4th of July, 1938. His father passed away when he was 13 years old and he enlisted with the United States Navy at 17.

During his time in the Navy, he overcame a lifelong stutter and began singing and writing songs, then landed in Los Angeles to begin a career in music.

In 2009, a documentary named for his second album, “Still Bill,” debuted at the Southwest Film Festival.

Withers cruised into the lives of generations beyond his own with timeless tunes that embodied hope and sadness, loss and joy.

As a tribute to Mr. Withers, here is a Spotify track list and some YouTube lists for Bill Withers.