Honor Bill Withers' Legacy

Senate Resolution No. 3111 BY: Senator PARKER MOURNING the death of Bill Withers, singer, songwriter and three-time Grammy Award winner WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor and pay just tribute to those musical geniuses whose commitment and creative talents contributed to the entertainment and cultural enrichment of their community, the State of New York, and the entire Nation; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to mourn the death of Bill Withers, singer, song writer and three-time Grammy Award winner, who died on Monday, March 30, 2020, at the age of

81; and WHEREAS, William "Bill" Harrison Withers, Jr., who overcame a childhood stutter, was born on July 4, 1938, to William and Mattie (Galloway) Withers, in Slab Fork, West Virginia; and WHEREAS, After his parents divorced when he was three, Bill Withers was raised by his mother's family in nearby Beckley, West Virginia; and WHEREAS, Bill Withers enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17, and served for nine years as an aircraft mechanic, during which time he became interested in singing and writing songs; and WHEREAS, After his discharge in 1965, Bill Withers relocated to Los Angeles to start a music career; he worked at an aircraft parts factory, bought a guitar at a pawn shop and recorded demos of his tunes in hopes of landing a recording contract; and WHEREAS, In 1971, signed to Sussex Records, Bill Withers put out his first album, Just As I Am, with the legendary Booker T. Jones at the helm; it included the hits "Grandma's Hands" and "Ain't No Sunshine", which was inspired by the Jack Lemmon film Days Of Wine And Roses; and WHEREAS, "Ain't No Sunshine" was originally released as the B-side of his debut single, "Harlem" but radio DJs flipped the disc and the song climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard charts and spent a total of 16 weeks in the Top 40; and WHEREAS, Bill Withers went on to record his second album, Still Bill which generated hit singles, "Use Me" (1972) and "Lean on Me" (1972); other popular songs he produced included: "Lovely Day" (1977), and "Just the Two of Us" (1980); his last album, Watching You Watching Me, was recorded in 1985; and WHEREAS, His soulful songs are among the most treasured and profound in the American songbook; they became the soundtracks of countless engagements, weddings and backyard parties; they have powerful melodies and perfect grooves melded with a smooth voice that conveys honesty and complex emotions without vocal acrobatics; and WHEREAS, Bill Withers' Live at Carnegie Hall in 1973 made Rolling Stone's 50 Greatest Live Albums of All Times; and WHEREAS, This music legend won three Grammy Awards and was nominated for six more; in 2009, his life was the subject of the documentary film Still Bill, and in 2015, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Stevie Wonder; in addition, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005; and WHEREAS, Bill Withers worked as a professional musician for just 15 years, from 1970 to 1985, after which he moved on to pursue other occupations; and WHEREAS, Bill Withers is survived by his wife, Marcia, and his two children, Todd and Kori, all of whom felt privileged to be a part of his life and truly rejoiced in his achievements; and WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to remember the life and many accomplishments of musical greats such as Bill Withers, whose memorable career will forever live in the hearts of many and continue to inspire generations to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Bill Withers, and to express its deepest condolences to his family; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the family of Bill Withers.