July is a very busy month in music history:
- The iconic Debbie Harry celebrated her 79th birthday on July 1
- The B-52s Fred Schneider celebrated his 73rd birthday on July 1
- Missy Elliott, one of the most forward thinking artists of her generation — and perhaps of any generation, really — celebrated her 53rd birthday on July 1
- Evelyn “Champagne” King celebrated her 64th birthday on July 1
- Depeche Mode‘s Yaz’s/Yazoo’s and Erasure‘s Vince Clarke celebrated his 63rd birthday on July 3
- The great jazz organist Dr. Lonnie Smith was born 82 years ago on July 3
It probably shouldn’t be surprising that the most American songwriter I can think of, Bill Withers was born 86 years ago on July 4 in Slab Fork, West Virginia.
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 singer/songwriters to ever do it. Happy birthday, Bill! Happy birthday, wherever you are!