Renowned singer / songwriter Bill Withers died on March 30th in Los Angeles at the age of 81. Withers, who is survived by his wife and two adult children, died of heart complications. Withers spent nine years in the U.S. Navy and working in aviation, prior to achieving stardom at age 33, and is best remembered for his string of six Top 40 hits in the 1970's and '80s — including such classic as hits “Ain't No Sunshine,” “Lovely Day,” “Use Me,” and the 1972 three-week chart-topper, “Lean On Me.”
Withers' 1981 teamup with Grover Washington, Jr. on “Just The Two Of Us” earned the pair the 1982 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song.
Withers, who was always a reluctant entertainer, hadn't released a new album since 1985. In 2005 he was inducted in to the Songwriter's Hall of Fame and a decade later, Steve Wonder ushered him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.