From staff and wire reports

Bill Withers, the smooth voice behind soulful '70s classics “ Lean On Me, ” “Lovely Day” and “Ain’t No Sunshine,”has died from heart complications, his family said in a statement to The Associated Press. He was 81.

The three-time Grammy Award winner and 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee died on Monday in Los Angeles, the statement said. His death comes as the public has drawn inspiration from his music during the coronavirus pandemic, with healthcare workers, choirs, artists and more posting their own renditions on “Lean on Me” to help get through the difficult times.

“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father,"the statement reads. "A solitary man with a heart driven to connect to the world at large, with his poetry and music, he spoke honestly to people and connected them to each other. As private a life as he lived close to intimate family and friends, his music forever belongs to the world. In this difficult time, we pray his music offers comfort and entertainment as fans hold tight to loved ones.”

Despite his relatively short career – he released his 1971 debut album "Just As I Am" when he was just 32, and stopped recording in 1985 – Withers left an indelible footprint on music that takes most artists decades to cultivate. His songs are comforting yet bittersweet, familiar yet achingly personal, telling stories about friendship ("Lean On Me"), heartache ("Ain't No Sunshine"), family ("Grandma's Hands") and growing up ("Hello Like Before") that we can all find a piece of ourselves in.

"One of the things that I've always tried to do is to say things without all the cliches," Withers told NPR in 2007. "The key to (songwriting) was, that I had never heard anybody say that before," and yet "you know what that means."

Withers’ songs have become the soundtracks of countless engagements, weddings and backyard parties. His inspiring 1972 single “Lean On Me,” his first and only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, was performed at the inaugurations of both Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. It is among Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, as is "Ain't No Sunshine."

Withers inspired artists young and old across genres, many of whom took to social media to pay tribute to the late singer.

Justin Timberlake shared a series of photos and videos of Withers, one of which showed the former NSYNC member bowing down to the late artist.

"You will always be one of my biggest idols. You taught me so much about how to keep it simple and real. I felt such a kinship with you even before we met," Timberlake wrote. "Your words and melodies... the chords that accompanied them... they reached into my soul and spoke to me so deeply. That’s what your music did. It brought so many of us closer to you and to each other. And, to actually know you was truly something special."

John Legend called him a "friend and inspiration," writing, "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."

Lenny Kravitz tweeted an old photo of Withers alongside the words: "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," Kravitz wrote.

Kacey Musgraves shared a broken heart emoji on Twitter with the words: "RIP Bill Withers."

Lin-Manuel Miranda tweeted, "Rest In Peace, maestro Bill Withers. What a legacy."

Chance The Rapper shared a lengthy tribute on Twitter.

"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," he wrote. "My heart really hurts for him, it reminds me of playing records with at my grandma’s house"

“He’s the last African-American Everyman,” musician and band leader Questlove told Rolling Stone in 2015. “Bill Withers is the closest thing black people have to a Bruce Springsteen.”

Withers, who overcame a childhood stutter, was born the last of six children in the coal mining town of Slab Fork, West Virginia. After his parents divorced when he was 3, Withers was raised by his mother’s family in nearby Beckley.

He joined the Navy at 17 and spent nine years in the service as an aircraft mechanic installing toilets. After his discharge, he moved to Los Angeles, 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.

In 1971, signed to Sussex Records, he put out his first album, “Just As I Am,” which included hits “Grandma’s Hands” and “Ain’t No Sunshine." Later would come the striking “Lovely Day" in 1977, featuring Withers holding the word “day” for almost 19 seconds. It's believed to be the longest note held in any U.S. chart hit.

But Withers’ career hit a snag when Sussex Records went bankrupt and he signed to Columbia Records. He no longer had complete control over his music and chaffed when it was suggested he do an Elvis cover. His new executives found Withers difficult.

Withers decided not to record or re-sign with Columbia after 1985's "Watching You Watching Me," his last album and a commercial disappointment.

He was awarded Grammys as a songwriter for “Ain’t No Sunshine” in 1971 and for “Just The Two Of Us” in 1981, and was inducted into the Rock Hall in 2015 by Stevie Wonder. Withers thanked his wife as well as the R&B pioneers who helped his career like Ray Jackson, Al Bell and Booker T. Jones. He also got in a few jabs at the record industry, saying A&R stood for “antagonistic and redundant.”

His music has been sampled and covered by such artists as BlackStreet (“No Diggity"), Will Smith ("Just The Two Of Us”), the Black Eyed Peas (“Bridging The Gap”) and Twista (“Sunshine”). Countless movies including "The Hangover," "American Beauty" and "Jerry Maguire" have all used his songs.

“I’m not a virtuoso, but I was able to write songs that people could identify with," Withers told Rolling Stone in 2015. "I don’t think I’ve done bad for a guy from Slab Fork, West Virginia."

He is survived by his wife, Marcia, and children, Todd and Kori.

Contributing: The Associated Press; Patrick Ryan, Sara Moniuszko, Rasha Ali, USA TODAY

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