Download Free Bill Withers * Songs

Bill Withers music biography continued...

mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia, Withers joined the United States Navy at seventeen in May 1956 and served for nine years, during which time he became interested in singing and songwriting. He began writing songs because there was a dearth of lyrics that expressed his feelings. Following his discharge from the Navy in July 1965, he worked in the San Jose, CA area and then moved to Los Angeles in 1967 to pursue a career in music. In 1970, one of his demos found its way to execs at Sussex Records and he was offered a contract. Financial problems delayed the release of his debut album until1971, but Just As I Am became an instant success with the hits "Harlem" and "Ain't No Sunshine," which made its way to #3 on the pop charts. The tune also garnered Withers his first Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues Song at the 1972 ceremony. During a break in touring, Withers recorded his second album, Still Bill and Sussex/Buddah released it in May 1972. The single "Lean on Me" went to number one in the summer of 1972, and by the fall of that year, the album was certified gold. Withers was, indeed, a soul superstar.



After a legal dispute with Sussex, Withers singed with Columbia in 1975. His first release with the label was Making Music, Making Friends, which had the single She's Lonely and was featured in the movie Looking for Mr. Goodbar. The next three years saw an album released each year with Naked & Warm (1976), Menagerie (1977, containing the hit "Lovely Day") and Bout Love (1978). Due to problems with Columbia, he focused on joint projects for several years, including the Grammy-winning Just the Two of Us, which he performed with jazz saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. released in June 1980. Withers' last original release was 1985's Watching You, Watching Me, which featured the Top 40 R&B single "Oh Yeah," which could have been an answer to the question, Is Withers one of the greatest soul men ever?