During a time when the world is full of bad news, there was even more of it to be had this morning: Soul legend Bill Withers passed away at 81 years old. His career yielded some of the most memorable songs of all time and his influence spanned genres and eras, as evidenced by the eclectic and large grouping of artists who have paid tribute to Withers following his passing.
Chance The Rapper took to Twitter to reminisce about listening to Withers’ music, writing, “Aw man, Bill Withers was really the greatest. Grandma’s Hands, Ain’t No Sunshine, Lean on Me, Use Me Up, Just The Two Of Us and obviously Lovely Day are some of the best songs of all time. My heart really hurts for him, it reminds me of playing records with at my grandma’s house.”
Aw man, Bill Withers was really the greatest. Grandma’s Hands, Ain’t No Sunshine, Lean on Me, Use Me Up, Just The Two Of Us and obviously Lovely Day are some of the best songs of all time. My heart really hurts for him, it reminds me of playing records with at my grandma’s house
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 3, 2020
Cloud Nothings’ Dylan Baldi shared a similar memory, writing, “i lived in northampton, massachusetts for most of 2015 and ‘menagerie’ was the only cd i had in my car for most of that time. some nice memories. bill withers will always be a legend!”
i lived in northampton, massachusetts for most of 2015 and ‘menagerie’ was the only cd i had in my car for most of that time. some nice memories. bill withers will always be a legend! https://t.co/e86SHdseC9
— Cloud Nothings (@cloudnothings) April 3, 2020
Withers also got some love from classic artists like Charlie Daniels, Foreigner, and Living Colour.
Just got word that Bill Withers has passed away
He sure graced us with some great songs
Lean On Me will always be a classic.
Rest In Peace Sir— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) April 3, 2020
Ain’t no sunshine… RIP Bill Withershttps://t.co/oO12I7SBWZ
— Foreigner (@ForeignerMusic) April 3, 2020
Rest In Power #BillWithers https://t.co/Dc0DQAurVc
— Living Colour (@LivingColour) April 3, 2020
Check out some more reactions to Withers’ passing below.
Bill Withers. RIP. Thanks for all the magic.
— Alchemist Type Beat (@Alchemist) April 3, 2020
Ask any songwriter in the world and they will tell you Bill Withers was a genius whose life’s work was a gift. Rest in peace. You are beloved.pic.twitter.com/3rbXxVs7jt
— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) April 3, 2020
R.I.P. Bill Withers
Super Legend
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) April 3, 2020
Bill Withers was such a liekeable guy. Always loved that he was from Slab Fork, WV. Check out doc “Still Bill” my friend Alex Vlack made couple years ago it’s great.
— Hamilton Leithauser (@HLeithauser) April 3, 2020
Although his music will live on , he will truly be missed ! #billwithers https://t.co/VcPK5NHOlF
— Jennifer Hudson (@IAMJHUD) April 3, 2020
Rest In Peace, maestro Bill Withers.
What a legacy.https://t.co/GBImqLRdPh— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) April 3, 2020