Remembering Bill Withers

Plus, a Tiny Desk (home) concert from Michael McDonald.

by Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna Michael Putland/Getty Images This week we remember singer-songwriter Bill Withers, who died from heart complications on Monday at the age of 81. Withers’ string of hits in the 1970s and 1980s were popular with seemingly everyone — his singles scaled the pop and R&B charts, and his albums were FM radio staples. Beloved tracks “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean on Me,” “Grandma’s Hands” and “Use Me,” among others, still sound fresh and relevant. Withers was in his early 30s and working in a factory when he recorded his debut album, Just As I Am, in 1971. As he told NPR’s Morning Edition in 2015: “I wasn't socialized as a musician. It wasn't the only way I knew how to live. You figure I was in my 30s when I started doing this. Now, most people that do this, they start practicing in their basement when they're six years old. I just happened to do some other things.”    In the wake of the news about Withers’ death, other musicians and fans paid tribute. “Mourning the loss of my friend and inspiration, Bill Withers,” said John Legend. “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.” Alicia Keys called him “a poignant writer whose songs are more relevant than ever right now.” We’ve also compiled a playlist of great songs from throughout his career for your weekend listening. Withers’ sweet baritone and songs of love, struggle and family bonds feel especially comforting in this time of anxiety and loss. We all need somebody to lean on,  Marissa Lorusso and Lyndsey McKenna Newsletter continues after sponsor message Featuring This week, we launched a new video series called The Formula about the art and science of sampling in hip-hop. First up: Producer Just Blaze explains the drum-centric samples he created for Jay-Z and Beyoncé. And because he was name-checked in the video, we asked Questlove, drummer for The Roots and bandleader for The Tonight Show, to write about how Just Blaze’s skill for finding and flipping a sample is inspiring and infuriating in equal measure. Faced with the city of New Orleans’ impending stay-at-home order, jazz trumpeter Nicholas Payton invited two collaborators to his home studio for two days of recording. The resulting album, Quarantined with Nick, references everything from hip-hop to ambient techno to New Orleans bounce, and is among the first created under the conditions of our global pandemic. Bob Boilen has been thinking about how songs that were once comforting have become colored by current events. So he asked All Songs Considered listeners if they’ve been feeling the same way, and received a “small flood of tunes, titles and phrases.” This week’s episode features these old favorites that have taken on new meanings. In Memoriam This was a particularly challenging week for music fans. Over the past few days, we’ve reported on the deaths of cherished musicians from across genres, including a few due to complications from COVID-19. Throughout the week, our writers and reporters shared their remembrances.  Adam Schlesinger, a founding member of Fountains of Wayne, songwriter for television’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Tony Award-winning collaborator, died Wednesday from complications caused by COVID-19. Endlessly prolific and a team player through and through, his generous, joyous work spanned stage and screen.  Jazz pianist and educator Ellis Marsalis died Wednesday; his son Branford told the New York Times that the cause of death was complications from COVID-19. The patriarch of the Marsalis family, he imparted extensive knowledge to students Harry Connick Jr., trumpeter Terence Blanchard and his sons, four of six who followed his path. Joe Diffie, an admired, early-'90s neotraditionalist country singer, found success with songs featuring his patented honky-tonk attitude. He died this week at the age of 61 following a COVID-19 diagnosis, marking the first reported loss of a country star to coronavirus-related complications. Trumpeter Wallace Roney died Tuesday morning due to complications from COVID-19. The pugnacious post-bop player and composer was mentored by Miles Davis and Clark Terry and had an illustrious four-decade career.  From Our Stations Now more than ever before, music member stations are sources of human interaction and social connection, and even a sense of normalcy. Even through social distancing and stay-at-home orders, listeners and stations are coming together as virtual communities. Listen to their work on  Heavy Rotation, our monthly playlist of songs chosen by public radio programmers and DJs from across the country.  This week, we also wanted to highlight the work of one station in particular: 88Nine Radio Milwaukee. Many public radio stations around the country are affiliated with colleges and universities, but Radio Milwaukee in Wisconsin is unique: It’s owned by the Milwaukee Public School system. To serve their educational constituents, the station staff has found a creative way to keep students connected and engaged. School of Rock, which broadcasts weekday mornings from 9 to 10 a.m. CT, aims to teach young listeners “about the musicians that have shaped our world — from Bowie to Bjork, Prince to Presley,” is paired with a downloadable lesson plan written by a certified teacher. Other offerings include Wanna Grab Coffee, a series of virtual hangouts, and Kids Disco, a virtual dance party held every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. CT. —Suraya Mohamed Tiny Desk Michael McDonald/NPR Since we can’t be in the office to film Tiny Desk concerts behind Bob Boilen’s workspace, we’re continuing to share Tiny Desk (home) concerts with you. This week: Michael McDonald performed “Matters Of The Heart” in his home studio, plus two Doobie Brothers classics. (You’re welcome to sing along.) Plus: The comments section on Tiny Desk concerts on YouTube is full of audiophiles. So when technical director Josh Rogosin decided to make another list of the best-sounding Tiny Desk concerts, he included selections from from some of his favorite YouTube shoutouts. One More Thing In case you and your roommates weren’t feeling productive enough. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: nprmusic@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? 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