Question 1

True or false: 'Lean on Me' was inspired by Bill Withers' childhood in a small West Virginia mining town.

Accepted Answer

True. Growing up in Slab Fork, a close-knit mining community, inspired the song's themes of mutual support.

Question 2

True or false: Bill Withers retired from music in 1985 because of a bitter feud with his record label.

Accepted Answer

False. He quit largely due to frustration with the music industry's commercial pressures, not a specific feud.

Question 3

True or false: Bill Withers won a Grammy for Best New Artist at the 15th Grammy Awards in 1973.

Accepted Answer

True. Bill Withers won Best New Artist at the 15th Grammy Awards in 1973, beating out America and Loggins & Messina.

Question 4

True or false: Bill Withers wrote 'Ain't No Sunshine' after a breakup with his high school sweetheart.

Accepted Answer

False. The song was actually written after watching the film 'Days of Wine and Roses'; it wasn't based on a personal breakup.

Question 5

True or false: Bill Withers worked at a factory making toilet seats for aircraft while recording his debut album.

Accepted Answer

True. He was employed at Weber Aircraft assembling toilet seats for Boeing 747s. He kept this blue-collar job even after signing his record deal, only quitting after his debut album's success.

Question 6

True or false: Bill Withers wrote 'Lovely Day' as a love song for his first wife.

Accepted Answer

False. Bill Withers divorced his first wife, Denise Nicholas, in 1974, three years before he released 'Lovely Day,' making it highly unlikely the song was written for her.

Question 7

True or false: Bill Withers refused to perform 'Lean on Me' at his concerts after the 1980s.

Accepted Answer

False. Bill Withers retired from performing in 1985 and did not hold concerts after the 1980s, so he had no opportunity to refuse. When he made rare appearances, such as at his 2015 Rock Hall induction, he did sing 'Lean on Me.'

Question 8

True or false: Bill Withers never learned to read or write music.

Accepted Answer

True. He was self-taught and played by ear, relying on his natural talent rather than formal training.

Bill Withers Trivia Questions