Alex S. Avitabile: Bill Withers, Gebunden

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The remarkable story of the revered singer-songwriter, looking at his unlikely rise, unique career, surprising exit from the spotlight, resurgence, and enduring legacy.

"Lovely Day," "Lean On Me," "Just the Two of Us" - these are just a few Bill Withers songs that have become household staples. But who would have thought that a shy young stutterer, born a coal miner's son in hardscrabble country West Virginia, could come out of nowhere to become a unique musical talent revered by generations? This biography covers Bill Withers's life and career within the context of larger historical, societal, and cultural trends and taps into new and rare sources to reexamine major events and his legacy, including his failed marriage to Denise Nicholas, the demise of Sussex Records, the Zaire '74 Music Festival, his sudden departure, and surprising resurgence on the music scene.

After a stint in the navy and working jobs ranging from milkman to factory worker, a 33-year-old Withers shocked the industry by reaching the top of the charts with "Ain't No Sunshine" in 1971. But, he is then buffeted by personal and professional issues - a failed marriage, the financial implosion of his record label, the breakup of his band - and certain external forces such as the rise of disco and the economic cycles of the music industry. The impaired arc of his career is made worse by Columbia Records executives interfering with his songs, and he abruptly ends his music career in 1985. Despite this, interest and appreciation for his catalogue persist, and he is duly acknowledged as a musical giant who appeals to and inspires music lovers everywhere.