{"title":"Bill Withers","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAbout Bill Withers\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWilliam Harrison Withers Jr. was born in Slab Fork, West Virginia on July 4, 1938. He served in the U.S. Navy for nine years before beginning a music career relatively late, signing with Sussex Records and releasing his debut album Just as I Am in 1971 at age 32. The album was produced by Booker T. Jones and produced the hit Ain't No Sunshine. He continued with Still Bill (1972, including Lean on Me and Use Me) and Live at Carnegie Hall (1973). After Sussex's dissolution he moved to Columbia, where he released material through 1985 including the duet Just the Two of Us with Grover Washington Jr. He effectively retired from the music industry in the mid-1980s and remained largely out of public life until his death on March 30, 2020.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSound and style\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWithers's sound combined soul, folk, and R\u0026amp;B with his deeply expressive baritone vocals, plainspoken lyrics, and arrangements drawing on Memphis soul, country, and gospel traditions. His songwriting was direct and unornamented, focused on universal themes of love, friendship, and dignity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDiscography highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJust as I Am (1971, Sussex)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStill Bill (1972, Sussex)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLive at Carnegie Hall (1973, Sussex)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e+'Justments (1974, Sussex)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaking Music (1975, Columbia)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNaked \u0026amp; Warm (1976, Columbia)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMenagerie (1977, Columbia) - includes Lovely Day\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWatching You Watching Me (1985, Columbia) - final album\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFor collectors\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginal Sussex pressings of Just as I Am and Still Bill are widely collected. Multiple anniversary reissues and audiophile editions have been released, including 50th anniversary editions of Just as I Am and the Live at Carnegie Hall recording.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhere to start\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eListeners new to Bill Withers typically start with Still Bill (1972) or Live at Carnegie Hall (1973). Just as I Am (1971) is a common entry point. \u003cspan class=\"related-collections\"\u003eExplore more: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rnb-soul-vinyl-records\"\u003eR\u0026amp;B And Soul\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/1970s-vinyl-records\"\u003e1970s\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"bill-withers-greatest-hits-vinyl-150g","title":"Greatest Hits LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eNo one has a voice like Bill. Powerful, full of conviction, and sexy as hell.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540797468855,"sku":"210000056033","price":24.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/withers.jpg?v=1781154304"},{"product_id":"bill-withers-naked-warm-vinyl-180g","title":"Naked \u0026 Warm LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eNaked \u0026amp; Warm is the fifth studio album by Bill Withers and is even funkier than his debut. \"Here Withers returns to the simple ways of his past, working five or six musicians for the kind of hard groove that doesn't have many parallels\".\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48540897476791,"sku":"210000055813","price":29.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/3826096-2576093.jpg?v=1781154645"},{"product_id":"bill-withers-just-as-i-am-yellow-vinyl","title":"Just As I Am LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eExperience the soulful debut of Bill Withers with the \"Just As I Am\" LP, now available on striking yellow vinyl. This limited-edition release boasts classics like \"Ain't No Sunshine\" and \"Grandma's Hands,\" each track reflecting Withers' introspective songwriting style. With a heavyweight 180-gram pressing, this album not only sounds fantastic but also includes a booklet featuring a reflective essay by poet Kevin Powell, making it a perfect addition to any music lover's collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541040836791,"sku":"210000103320","price":42.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4478879-3499119.jpg?v=1781155185"},{"product_id":"bill-withers-just-as-i-am-vinyl-180g-remastered","title":"Just as I Am LP","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"…This doesn't sound like a debut because it is backed up by years of song writing and a mature, soulful voice that is honest and warm. This is a superb album for the quality of songs, singing and a backing that contained Stephen Stills (guitar), Donald 'Duck' Dunn (bass) and Jim Keltner (drums) among others…This is a beautiful sounding LP and Speakers Corner has done a superb job as ever. Bill's Greatest Hits sounds pale by comparison.\" Recording = 9\/10; Music = 10\/10 – Jason Kennedy, Hi-Fi+, Issue 56\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541046735031,"sku":"210000049053","price":43.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/asus-7006-40109-01152009120416-1722.jpg?v=1781155210"},{"product_id":"bill-withers-justments-vinyl-180g","title":"Justments LP","description":"\u003cp\u003e+'Justments is Bill Withers' third and final album for Sussex Records. Withers wrote and recorded this album in the midst of his divorce, therefore many of the songs touch on loss. loneliness, and nostalgia.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541046800567,"sku":"210000049054","price":43.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/bill-withers-justments.jpg?v=1781155208"},{"product_id":"bill-withers-still-bill-vinyl-180g","title":"Still Bill LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eLimited 180gm vinyl LP pressing of this 1972 album from the Soul singer\/songwriter. Features the worldwide hit 'Lean on Me'. Music on Vinyl.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541064364215,"sku":"210000049354","price":48.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/1952911.jpg?v=1781155268"},{"product_id":"bill-withers-live-at-carnegie-hall-vinyl-180g","title":"Live at Carnegie Hall 2LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eReissued for the First Time Since 1975 on 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48541065609399,"sku":"210000051955","price":49.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/1758971-2722037.jpg?v=1781155274"},{"product_id":"bill-withers-naked-warm-cd","title":"Naked \u0026 Warm CD","description":"","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785627578551,"sku":"210000055549","price":15.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"bill-withers-still-bill-180g-green-vinyl-import","title":"Still Bill LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eCelebrate the timeless brilliance of Bill Withers with the \"Still Bill\" LP, now available on 180g green vinyl. This iconic album includes classics like \"Lean on Me\" and \"Use Me,\" each track a testament to Withers' soulful artistry. Housed in an elegant import edition, this limited release is a must-have for any R\u0026amp;B aficionado.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785787781303,"sku":"210000105075","price":45.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4493163-3527907.jpg?v=1783045922"},{"product_id":"bill-withers-live-at-bbc-clear-vinyl","title":"Live At BBC LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eExperience the soulful sounds of Bill Withers with his 1973 performance, now available on stunning clear vinyl. This live LP features unforgettable tracks like \"Ain't No Sunshine\" and \"Lean on Me,\" capturing the raw essence of Withers' artistry. Perfect for late-night listening, it's a must-have addition for any R\u0026amp;B and soul aficionado.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785852694711,"sku":"210000099452","price":28.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/4428669-3396497.jpg?v=1783046105"},{"product_id":"bill-withers-ultimate-collection-color-vinyl","title":"Ultimate Collection LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eA comprehensive collection of Wither's greatest recordings.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785923735735,"sku":"210000064954","price":32.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/ill-withers.jpg?v=1783046298"},{"product_id":"bill-withers-menagerie-vinyl-180g","title":"Menagerie LP","description":"\u003cp\u003eExperience the smooth sounds of Bill Withers with the \"Menagerie LP,\" presented on high-quality 180g vinyl. This collection features timeless tracks like \"Lovely Day\" and \"She Wants to (Get on Down),\" perfectly capturing Withers’ soulful essence in the rich tones of R\u0026amp;B. A must-have for any vinyl enthusiast or soul music lover looking to enrich their collection.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wax Trax Records","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48785931862199,"sku":"210000048948","price":42.98,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0745\/5755\/4871\/files\/2277018.jpg?v=1783046324"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.waxtraxrecords.com\/collections\/bill-withers.oembed","provider":"Wax Trax Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}