Ain't No Sunshine; Goodbye Bill
04-04-20, 06:13 AM
#1
Pounding Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: In the Bag
Posts: 7,134
Bikes: A Home Built All Rounder, Bianchi 928, Specialized Langster, Dahon Folder
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5086 Post(s)
Liked 2,137 Times
in
1,293 Posts
Ain't No Sunshine; Goodbye Bill
This guy wasn't the most prolific songwriter, his career was relatively short because he was just a "regular guy" and wanted to stay that way. I will admit that I never bought one of his albums, played one of his songs on a jukebox or bought it off of iTunes but his work is part of the soundtrack of my life. It took his obituary for me to appreciate what a remarkable, likable guy he was. I'm sorry I didn't pay more attention to him earlier.
When he officially entered the record business at age 31, he was wise enough to be properly repulsed by it, and he resolved to approach his songwriting in a broad-minded way. “You can make songs about trucks, ducks,” Withers told a Dutch television crew in 2011. “Everything you could possibly think or feel or imagine, whether you’re happy or homicidal or whatever — there’s probably a song for it.” (Chris Richards, Washington Post)
Withers’s discography flourished long after he retired from performing, but he opted out of the spotlight in favor of spending more time with his family. “I can make a record if I want to, but I’d rather spend the time home with my kids and snuggled up under my wife. It’s warm in there,” Withers told The Post in 1991 ahead of a stint at Blues Alley.
“One of my favorite quotes is from Louis Armstrong,” Withers added. “ ‘Better a has-been than a never-was.’ ”
When he officially entered the record business at age 31, he was wise enough to be properly repulsed by it, and he resolved to approach his songwriting in a broad-minded way. “You can make songs about trucks, ducks,” Withers told a Dutch television crew in 2011. “Everything you could possibly think or feel or imagine, whether you’re happy or homicidal or whatever — there’s probably a song for it.” (Chris Richards, Washington Post)
Withers’s discography flourished long after he retired from performing, but he opted out of the spotlight in favor of spending more time with his family. “I can make a record if I want to, but I’d rather spend the time home with my kids and snuggled up under my wife. It’s warm in there,” Withers told The Post in 1991 ahead of a stint at Blues Alley.
“One of my favorite quotes is from Louis Armstrong,” Withers added. “ ‘Better a has-been than a never-was.’ ”
Likes For ahsposo:
04-04-20, 09:33 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: california
Posts: 161
Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 377 Post(s)
Liked 1,423 Times
in
456 Posts
his inspirational ‘lean on me’ always has it’s place in times like what we are going through today!
__________________
"The negative feelings we all have can be addictive…just as the positive…it’s up to
us to decide which ones we want to choose and feed”… Pema Chodron
"The negative feelings we all have can be addictive…just as the positive…it’s up to
us to decide which ones we want to choose and feed”… Pema Chodron
Likes For clemsongirl:
04-04-20, 10:13 AM
#3
minimalist cyclist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,382
Bikes: '82 Fuji Supreme, '83 Raleigh Olympian, '87 Lotus Excelle, '85 Centurion Ironman, '75 Schwinn Continental, '73 Raleigh Grand Prix, '84 Trek 500/400, '89 Schwinn Le Tour, '86 Bianchi Sport SX '12 Trek Alpha 1.1, Ross Central Park
Mentioned: 23 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 850 Post(s)
Liked 752 Times
in
506 Posts
There's a Bill Withers thread in the C&V section that got an earlier start yesterday. https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...l-withers.html
USAZorro posted this really good song by Bill Withers I didn't know, and I didn't know about his military service until his death. The introduction reminds me a lot of the Bruce Springsteen into to his cover of War.
USAZorro posted this really good song by Bill Withers I didn't know, and I didn't know about his military service until his death. The introduction reminds me a lot of the Bruce Springsteen into to his cover of War.
04-04-20, 10:49 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 1,338
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 378 Post(s)
Liked 230 Times
in
177 Posts
Been listening to his music for years. Sad to hear of his passing.
The Essential Bill Withers, a 2013 compilation album of many of his greatest works --
The Essential Bill Withers, a 2013 compilation album of many of his greatest works --
04-04-20, 12:57 PM
#5
Unlisted member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 6,193
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock
Mentioned: 29 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1344 Post(s)
Liked 397 Times
in
277 Posts
He did have an amazing story, and didn't get suckered into the music business like too many do.
