Soul singer Bill Withers has died aged 81.
According to reports in the US, he had been suffering from a heart condition.
A statement from his family said: ‘We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father. A solitary man with a heart driven to connect to the world at large, with his poetry and music, he spoke honestly to people and connected them to each other.
‘As private a life as he lived close to intimate family and friends, his music forever belongs to the world. In this difficult time, we pray his music offers comfort and entertainment as fans hold tight to loved ones.’
Withers gave the world a string of legendary hits including Lean on Me, Use Me, Ain't No Sunshine, Just The Two Of Us and Lovely Day.
Bill had won three Grammys during his career and was presented with the PRS for Music Special International Award during the 62nd Annual Ivor Novello Awards.
He told Rolling Stone back in 2015: ‘I'm not a virtuoso, but I was able to write songs that people could identify with. I don't think I've done bad for a guy from Slab Fork, West Virginia.’
Since the news of Withers’ death broke, tributes have poured in from the music industry and beyond.
Lenny Kravitz posted that his ‘voice, songs, and total expression gave us love, hope, and strength.'
Fatboy Slim wrote: ‘Today we lost one of the sweetest souls. Bill Withers RIP. A more gentle, poetic and dignified man you will struggle to find.’
Photo credit: Mark Allan
