Bill Withers in Still Bill - A Must See!

I enjoy documentaries. So, this evening I fired up my Apple TV and went browsing through the docs on Netflix and found a gem.

Bill Withers in Still Bill.

I listened to an NPR interview with Bill Withers last year talking about why he got out of the music business, and found it interesting when he said that he didn’t enjoy the “fame game”. 

Although he hasn’t written a song since 1985, all of us can sing along to “Ain’t No Sunshine”, “Lean on Me”, “Just the Two of Us”, and “Grandma’s Hands” like they were written yesterday.

The doc shows a 70 year old Bill Withers sharing his upbringing in West Virginia, his career as a airplane mechanic, his family, and a lot of  wisdom regarding life and the decisions we make that shape it.

You learn that he was a reluctant musician who got into the business in his early 30’s, not  to become a star, but soon found that his music was too good to be ignored.  

Not to spill all the beans, but this 2009 doc was special to me for several reasons. 

First, you learn that he met his wife at a Gil Scott-Heron concert, and they even played a nice clip of Gil performing on stage (could the timing be more perfect?). 

And, as the 70 year old Bill Withers considers coming up with new music, he makes a phone call to my favorite guitarist and performer, Raul Midon.

Raul visits Withers' home and they come up with a touching song in his home studio. Later, Withers collaborates with his stunningly beautiful and talented daughter to make another song. Neither of these songs may ever get released because Withers is still reluctant about involving himself in the “fame game”. 

As an aside, on John Legend’s latest album with The Roots, Wake Up, Legend sings a Bill Withers' song I had never heard, I Can’t Write Left Handed. It’s 12 minutes of pure genius. 

If you are a Bill Withers’ fan, or just want to learn some valuable life lessons from one of the most beautiful spirits you’ll ever witness, get a hold of this DVD and check it out.

I suggest having a box of tissues nearby.

Click HERE to learn more about Still Bill.

Me and Raul Midon