Singer-songwriter Bill Withers dies aged 81, family confirm

His hits included Lean On Me and Ain’t No Sunshine

Bill Withers has died at the age of 81

Singer-songwriter Bill Withers, whose hits included Lean On Me and Ain’t No Sunshine, has died aged 81, his family said.

The singer died on Monday in Los Angeles, the family told the Associated Press.

They described him in a statement as a "solitary man with a heart driven to connect to the world".

"He spoke honestly to people and connected them to each other," the statement said.