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.