“Lean On Me” Singer Bill Withers Has Died At 81

Bill Withers, the ‘70s soul singer behind classics like “Lean On Me” and “Ain’t No Sunshine,” died from heart complications in Los Angeles, according to a statement his family released to the Associated Press. Withers was 81.

“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,” wrote Withers' family, in their statement. “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."

Although Withers largely withdrew from public life after the mid-1980s, he was a three-time Grammy Award winner and a 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Many of his songs still resonate today. Earlier this week, healthcare workers at the Broward Health Medical Center in Florida sang a rendition of Withers' 1972 No. 1 hit “Lean On Me” to help cope with the strain they’re under amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Lean On Me” is perhaps his most iconic song, but he also found success with tracks like “Grandma’s Hands,” “Use Me,” and “Lovely Day.” Withers' music has become a hip-hop staple, too. Artists like Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Kanye West, DMX, Dr. Dre, and Will Smith have all sampled his songs. Meanwhile, Juicy J expressed his condolences on Twitter.

You can watch the 2009 documentary Still Bill about his life for free on YouTube.

Read all the lyrics to all of Bill Withers' hits on Genius now.