Today, March 30th, 2021, marks the one-year anniversary of Bill Withers‘s death. Though the singer-songwriter had not released an album in 35 years at the time he died—having famously retired from making music full-time in 1985—his death shot through the music world as it was already reeling from the shutdown of live events due to COVID-19.
Six months later, when small groups of people were able to congregate indoors again, Maggie Rose channeled her grief into a touching tribute to Withers. On September 14th, Rose gathered special guests including Devon Gilfillian, Joy Oladukun, Wil Merrell, and more for a track-by-track recreation of Withers’ iconic 1973 live album, Live at Carnegie Hall. On Tuesday, the one-year anniversary of Withers’ death, Rose shared a video of her rendition of “Lean On Me” alongside Gilfillian and Merrell.
Related: Maggie Rose Asks “What Are We Fighting For” In New Single [Listen]
One year after Withers’ death at age 81, the world still bears many striking resemblances to where it was a year ago. Though the pandemic is still raging across the United States, a beacon of hope exists as the vaccination rollout continues across the country. Even so, millions of people are still beleaguered from over a year in quarantine that feels like it will never end. It’s with that deflated spirit that Withers’ beckoning of “Lean On Me” is even more necessary. The angelic choir of Rose, Gilfillian, and Merrell offer a sympathetic ear and a soothing shoulder as the song fades out with, “Call me/if you need a friend/Call me.”
Watch Maggie Rose, Devon Gilfillian, Wil Merrell, and more perform “Lean On Me” in honor of Bill Withers.
Maggie Rose & Friends – “Lean On Me” (Bill Withers)
[Video: Maggie Rose]
Next month, Rose will make her way to Denver, CO for a pair of shows at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom on April 16th (one early show and one late show). Along with her famed backing band Them Vibes, the Denver shows will find Rose joined by special guests Nicholas Gerlach (saxophone) and Gabe Mervine (trumpet). Tickets for Maggie Rose’s socially distant concerts at Cervantes’ are on sale here.
