BILL WITHERS, IN MEMORIAM

Born on the Fourth of July (1938), the great Bill Withers died today. Throughout the 1970s and 80s, he had a number of hits and the Grammys to show for them. "Lean On Me"? Yes. "Ain't No Sunshine," which the Jackson Five covered? Definitely. "A Lovely Day," which I have just learned has "one of the longest note[s] ever recorded in a song" (at 18 seconds)? Sure. How about "Just The Two Of Us," with Grover Washington, Jr. slaying it on the sax? You bet! "Use Me"? Please do! But one of my favorites is one much less recalled, "Grandma's Hands." I'm glad it was his favorite too.