Patti LaBelle Remembers Bill Withers as a ‘Musical Genius and Trailblazer’: Exclusive
#Music
Patti LaBelle is mourning the loss of fellow soul singer-songwriter Bill Withers, who died Monday (March 30) in Los Angeles from heart complications at 81 years old.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Bill Withers, a musical genius and trailblazer who has inspired so many! But, I know his spirit lives on through his beautiful music!” LaBelle tells Billboard by email. “My heartfelt condolences go out to his loved ones and fans all over the world!”
The Godmother of Soul has joined Chance the Rapper, Lin-Manuel Miranda and more artists remembering the “Lean On Me” and “Ain’t No Sunshine” seminal hitmaker today (April 3).
The Harlem Music Festival All-Star Band paid tribute to both LaBelle and Withers’ music at the A Great Day in Harlem outdoor festival in July 2015. But just a few months later, the two hit the stage together to perform his 1972 No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hit “Lean On Me” alongside Stevie Wonder and BeBe Winans in November to close out the Soul Train 25th Anniversary Hall of Fame ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium.
via https://www.DMT.NEWS/
Heran Mamo, Khareem Sudlow, DMTDaily
