10 Musicians Who Died In 2020
2. Bill Withers
A relatively late starter, soul singer Bill Withers broke through in his early 30s, and was finished with the music business just 15 years later. He crammed so much into that time, though, that his legacy is secured forever.
Withers’ smooth voice and admirable range was equally at home on sweet natured tunes like “Lovely Day” and wry funk jams like “Use Me”. As a songwriter he had a keen ear for a hook and refrained from self indulgence, releasing albums like Still Bill, a career highlight, that provides wall to wall hits without an ounce of fat.
He never craved the spotlight and had little love for the workings of the music business, and so in 1985 found it easy to walk away. His songs remained in mainstream circulation and he wrote for others on occasion, but for the most part he stayed retired, appearing at events like the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame (class of 2015), but otherwise keeping to himself.
Withers died at 81 from heart complications, leaving behind a discography so strong that he could stay relevant after 35 years of inactivity.