Bill Withers dies: Kamala Harris, John Legend, Alicia Keys pay respects to R&B great
Reactions to the death of singer-songwriter Bill Withers took on a more personal tone Friday with people sharing the memories that songs like "Lean on Me" and "Lovely Day" had embedded in their minds.
"My heart really hurts for him," Chance the Rapper tweeted, "it reminds me of playing records at my grandma's house."
"The day our daughter Kaavia James came into this world — 'Lovely Day' was our song of choice for her entry into the world," tweeted NBA player Dwyane Wade, whose wife is actress Gabrielle Union. "Thank you Bill Withers for creating a song that will forever be [a part] of our lives."
"This Is Us" actress Susan Kelechi Watson tweeted, "Press play on a #BillWithers track and it literally changes the atmosphere. Rest in peace, Bill Withers."
Brian Wilson called Withers "a songwriter's songwriter," while Rosario Dawson said she would "forever lean on your music in times of need."
Dawson continued, tweeting, "So grateful the world got to share in the poetry & music you created in this lifetime. Thank you always."
Here are more reactions to the passing of the "Lean on Me," "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Lovely Day" R&B singer, who died Monday at 81 from heart complications. (His family announced the news Friday.)
Rest in power Bill Withers. Your voice, songs, and total expression gave us love, hope, and strength. My soul always has & always will be full of your music. Your humility displayed & depth of your power as you carried us all to a better place. You're still & always will be Bill. pic.twitter.com/mkpcSBfuZv
— Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) April 3, 2020
Mourning the loss of my friend and inspiration, Bill Withers. He was such an incredible songwriter and storyteller. I'm so glad he shared his gift with the world. Life wouldn't be the same without him.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 3, 2020
Aw man, Bill Withers was really the greatest. Grandma’s Hands, Ain’t No Sunshine, Lean on Me, Use Me Up, Just The Two Of Us and obviously Lovely Day are some of the best songs of all time. My heart really hurts for him, it reminds me of playing records with at my grandma’s house
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 3, 2020
I’m very sad to hear about Bill Withers passing. Bill was a “songwriter’s songwriter” and wrote so many great songs like “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean On Me.” A real loss. Love & Mercy to Bill’s family. – Brian pic.twitter.com/dUGAre6Bjt
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) April 3, 2020
Bill Withers you are beloved. I will forever lean on your music in times of need. So grateful the world got to share in the poetry & music you created in this lifetime. Thank you always. You’ve truly been a blessing. Rest In Paradise. Rest In Power. Please sing to my grandma...
— Rosario Dawson (@rosariodawson) April 3, 2020
RIP Bill Withers
One of my favorites of all time. His “Live at Carnegie Hall” record has been at the top of my list for decades. What an incredible talent and genuine soul. He will be missed by so many. -Kid Rockhttps://t.co/uYvEQS5ZhJ pic.twitter.com/qvPvwohEMM— Kid Rock (@KidRock) April 3, 2020
One of the musical cornerstones of my life...
Rest Easy Bill Withers! We so need yours songs right now!#RIPBW— DJ Jazzy Jeff (@djjazzyjeff215) April 3, 2020
RIP Bill Withers! The day our daughter Kaavia James came into this world-“Lovely Day” was our song of choice for her entry into the world. Thank you Bill Withers for creating a song that will forever be apart of our lives ❤️ 🙏🏾
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) April 3, 2020
The silencing of a sublime voice. RIP Bill Withers. Aint no sunshine.
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) April 3, 2020
Just got word that Bill Withers has passed away
He sure graced us with some great songs
Lean On Me will always be a classic.
Rest In Peace Sir— Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) April 3, 2020
RIP Bill Withers 💔
— K A C E Y (@KaceyMusgraves) April 3, 2020
Peace and love, Bill Withers.💔 pic.twitter.com/cEWBxC45jl
— Susanna Hoffs (@SusannaHoffs) April 3, 2020
Today we lost one of the sweetest souls. Bill Withers RIP. A more gentle, poetic and dignified man you will struggle to find. He was gracious enough to let me sample him on ‘demons’. Check out ‘Grandma’s Hands’ to remember one of soul music’s finest songwriters... xxx pic.twitter.com/iKzQD1rGJG
— Fatboy Slim (@FatboySlim) April 3, 2020
Ain’t No Sunshine is such a powerful, painful song. Hard to have that running through my mind while sad about the death of Bill Withers and so many other people.
— Touré (@Toure) April 3, 2020
RIP Bill Withers. Trying to hold that note has been a family kitchen favourite and a source of much joy. https://t.co/XsrHSYrbyg
— pollysamson (@PollySamson) April 3, 2020
Bill Withers, one of the absolute all-time greats has passed.
There is no more appropriate time to reflect on his words than now as we lean on each other. https://t.co/AMtWudUQv7— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) April 3, 2020
The world lost a legend. Soul singer Bill Withers' song Grandma's Hands is one of my favorites and reminds me of my grandmother and so many other mother-figures in my life.
Let's all continue to live by his cherished lyrics during these times and lean on each other.— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) April 3, 2020
Bill Withers RIP my friend. Forever grateful for your music and kindness.
— Joe Walsh (@JoeWalsh) April 3, 2020
What a poignant writer whose songs are more relevant than ever right now💜 May music always bring us together! Rest in paradise to the magnificent #BillWithers 🕊 https://t.co/smITA9MKFO
— Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) April 3, 2020
Our prayers to Bill Withers family he was a great friend. I will miss his quick wit & amazing sense of humor. A soul music #Legend ✔️out his music Still Bill a fav! Bill wrote a song for me “I am my father’s son” when @BarackObama presented me the Medal of Freedom #RIPBillWithers pic.twitter.com/1l0WsmNZXa
— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) April 3, 2020
Sad news today about the passing of #BillWithers. One of my first hits was a recording of “Ain’t No Sunshine”, a perfect song. I was very fortunate to meet him and he was so gracious. My thoughts are with his family today. RIP pic.twitter.com/wNDp0UGi0w
— Boney James (@boneyjames) April 3, 2020
It was such a thrill to have Bill Withers as a guest star on Criminal Minds. He was a lovely, funny and charming man. His music is big part of the soundtrack to my life, and he will be missed. #BillWithersRIP @CrimMinds_CBS pic.twitter.com/I3PSECfYR0
— Joe Mantegna (@JoeMantegna) April 3, 2020
His music gives me so much joy. Press play on a #BillWithers track and it literally changes the atmosphere. Rest in peace, Bill Withers. pic.twitter.com/Mix6CSxs6T
— Susan Kelechi Watson (@skelechiwatson) April 3, 2020
