Bill Withers, who wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time – including Lean On Me, Lovely Day and Ain’t No Sunshine – has died from heart complications his family said in a statement. He was 81.

The three-time Grammy Award winner, who withdrew from making music in the mid-1980s, died on Monday in Los Angeles, the statement said. His death comes as the public has drawn inspiration from his music during the coronavirus pandemic, with health care workers, choirs, artists and more posting their own renditions on Lean On Me to help get through the difficult times.
Withers’ songs during his brief career have become the soundtracks of countless engagements, weddings, and backyard parties.