Podcasts Music Music History The Opus Just As I Am Episode 2: Bill Withers Remains a Voice of Protest

Just As I Am Episode 2: Bill Withers Remains a Voice of Protest

Published: May 20, 2021, 6:33 p.m.

In September of 1972, after having been nominated for three Grammys and winning one, Bill Withers spoke with The New York Times, and declared that the whole music thing was simply a phase for him.

\n

In 1985, Bill Withers, walked away from the music industry, deciding to not record or re-sign to a record label. He wanted to return to his \u201cregular guy\u201d life, and be a husband and father.

\n

When Bill Withers began making \u201cJust As I Am,\u201d he was employed as a factory worker at Weber Aircraft in California. The picture of him on the cover of the album was taken while he was on his lunch break. His \u201cregular guy\u201d life and point of view provided his music with a spectacular simplicity and relatability that eventually earned him four more Grammy nominations and two more trophies.

\n

In this episode, we\u2019ll look Withers' protest music and how he remains a major figure of fighting the powers that be.

\n

Guests:

\n

Aloe Blacc
\nJose James

\n\n\nAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands\n\nPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy