Bill Withers has died at the age of 81.
Withers leaves behind a timeless body of work which includes soul classics like Lean On Me, Lovely Day and Ain’t No Sunshine, his passing confirmed in a family statement after he succumbed to heart complications in Los Angeles. “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father,” it reads.
“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. 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.”