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Thursday music corner: Soul legend Bill Withers (1939-2020) roared to fame in 1971 with his single Ain't No Sunshine, and over an 18-year career garnered many fans through his powerful soul vocals, the social social consciousness of his lyrics, and the humility and integrity of his public and private life. He released eight studio albums from 1971 to 1985 plus the highly successful 1973 live album Live at Carnegie Hall. He had six US top 40 hits, including Ain't No Sunshine (1971), chart-topper Lean On Me (1972), Lovely Day (1977), and his duet with Grover Washington, Just The Two of Us (1981). 

Withers' disrespectful handling by his label, Columbia Records, contributed to his early retirement from the music business after his 1985 album Watching You, Watching Me, but his reputation only increased over the years as more artists and fans came to know his music, either the original versions or covers versions such as Club Nouveau's 1987 recording of Lean On Me. Withers was inaugurated into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2015, and in 2015 a Carnegie Hall tribute concert brought umpteen Withers devotees to the stage, including Dr John, Ed Sheeran and Aloe Blacc. 

Harlem was the opening track of Withers' first album Just As I Am, released in May 1971.  

Bill Withers - Harlem (live, 1973)

See also:

Music: Bill Withers - Grandma's Hands (live, 1974)

Music: Bill Withers - Harlem (Eamon Harkin edit) (2008)

Music: Michel Berger - Apple Pie (feat. Bill Withers) (1982)