Celebrity News April 28, 2020
Bill Withers’ Cause of Death Revealed
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A month after his passing, new details about been released about “Lean on Me” singer Bill Withers.
According to his death certificate, obtained by TMZ, Withers died at the age of 81 from cardiac arrest. The contributing factors were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bradyarrhythmia.
Withers, who died at Providence Tarzana Regional Medical Center, was laid to rest at famed cemetery Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, where such celebrities as Michael Jackson, Nipsey Hussle, Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds are buried.
Earlier this month, Withers' family broke the news of his death in a statement. They said, “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father. 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."
The statement continued, “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.”
Withers' death came at a time when many are listening to his hit song “Lean on Me” to get through the COVID-19 pandemic, which has claimed 211,000 lives worldwide.
Withers stepped away from the spotlight in 1985 after only 15 years in the business, but his impact was so profound he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015 by Stevie Wonder. Along with "Lean on Me," he is also known for his hit songs “Ain't No Sunshine,” “Just the Two of Us,” “Lovely Day,” “Use Me,” and “Kissing My Love.”
After hearing of his death, big names like Lin-Manuel Miranda and Chance the Rapper paid tribute on their social media accounts. Lin-Manuel tweeted, “Rest In Peace, maestro Bill Withers. What a legacy.”
Chance tweeted, “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. My heart really hurts for him, it reminds me of playing records with at my grandma's house."
See more reactions below.
Withers was briefly married to "Room 222" actress Denise Nicholas. He was survived by his second wife, Marcia, and their children, Todd and Kori, all of whom work preserving his musical legacy.
