Throwback: Happy 88th Birthday, Bill Withers!

I know I can’t speak for everyone but 2026 has been a very odd and very disappointing year so far. But we’ve survived to July. And that means we have five months left for the year. May the rest of 2026 get better for me — and if you’ve been struggling with things this year, may it get better for you, too. But even in struggle, there’s music, friends and community that can sustain us. 

Of course, July is a busy month of music birthdays. So, as always, let’s celebrate our legends and favorites, eh? 

• Missy Elliott, celebrates her 55th birthday on July 1
• Evelyn “Champagne” King celebrates her 66th birthday on July 1
• The B-52s Fred Schneider celebrates his 75th birthday on July 1
• The iconic Debbie Harry celebrated her 81st birthday on July 1
• Syl Johnson, who wrote some of the most moving, most lived-in songs full of novelistic attention to details was born 90 years ago on July 1
• Legendary bluesman, James Cotton was born 91 years ago on July 1 
• One of the most important figures of the blues, Chicago blues especially, Willie Dixon was born 111 years ago on July 1
• Depeche Mode‘s Yaz’s/Yazoo’s and Erasure‘s Vince Clarke celebrated his 65th birthday on July 1
• The great jazz organist Dr. Lonnie Smith was born 84 years ago on July 3

Bill Withers was born on this day 88 years ago. 

As a pop artist Withers’ rise to fame is highly unusual in contemporary pop standards: He had been in the Navy for close to a decade and spent a significant portion of his life working as an assembler for Ford, IBM and Douglas Aircraft Corporation before he wrote and recorded his first two hit songs — at 33. 

To me what made Withers’ songs so great, is that they came from profound, lived-in experience. And as a result, he could say the things that you’ve always felt but couldn’t exactly put in words. Always thoughtful, yes. Always crafted, yes. Funky, hell yes. 

I don’t think Bill was capable of writing a bad song. I just don’t believe it. So why don’t we celebrate the life and music of the greatest American singer/songwriters to ever do it. Happy birthday, Bill! Happy birthday, wherever you are! 

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