Bill Withers

In 1973, he tied the nuptial knot with actress Denise Nicholas. At that time she was famous for her role in the sitcom, ‘Room 222’. However, the unison did not work out and the two separated the following year.

Later in 1976, he married Marcia Johnson. The couple was blessed with two children - Todd and Kori.

Bill Withers was born as William Harrison ‘Bill’ Withers Jr. in a small coal-mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia. He was the youngest of the six children and was raised in Beckley, West Virginia.

His father, a coal miner, died when young Wither was just thirteen. Subsequently, he took up a series of menial jobs to support his family.

At the age of eighteen, he conscripted himself to the United States Navy. He rendered his service for about nine years. It was while at the Navy that an interest for singing and song-writing caught up on him.

Relieved from his duties in 1965, he shifted base to Los Angeles in 1967 to pursue a career in music.

He made a humble beginning, working as an assembler for various companies including the Douglas aircraft Corporation. With the money earned, he recorded demo tapes and performed the songs recorded at various clubs in downtown.

He continued working in odd jobs for several years until he finally managed to strike a deal with Sussex Records in 1970. His demonstration tapes were used during the auditions.

He recorded the album in three sessions - with the second and the final session having a break of six months. Finally, in 1971, his debut album, ‘Just as I Am’ was released with the singles, ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ and ‘Grandma’s Hands’. The album had Stephen Stills on the guitar.

‘Just as I Am’ was a grand success with its singles topping the charts. Post the successful reception of his debut album; he embarked on a tour with an assembled band which included members of The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band.

The single, ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ not only sold over one million copies but went on to earn him his first Grammy Award in the category of Best R&B. The single was awarded with a platinum disc.

Over the course of his musical career, he was six times nominated for the Grammy awards in various categories - he won thrice in the category of Best Rhythm & Blues Song for the tracks, ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’, ‘Just The Two of Us’ and ‘Lean on Me’.

He won the 1972 NAACP Image Awards in the category of Male Singer of the Year.

In 2002, he became the proud recipient of the honorary doctorate from Mountain State University.

In 2005, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In 2006, he won the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Heritage award.