Bill Withers Acceptance Speech at the 2015 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 

Bill is an icon in music history. Nobody can dispute that!!

THE BEST ACCEPTANCE SPEECH IVE EVER HEARD, ANYWHERE!...I had no fuckin' idea, Bill Withers was a stand up comic...God knows, I thought he was a world reknown, music icon. His music catalogue is the stuff of legend, and its a body of work that a serious fan can EASILY attach a lifetime's worth of memories, to. I love the man to death....he looks just like my Uncle Jim. And I know whereever Mr Withers is, in the after-life, he is making music and making folks double over in laughter.

I will never stop telling people how they should listen to this gentleman’s music

What a man, the kind of man you could spend every lazy afternoon with and always walk away soulfully enriched. His work his truly special.

The best acceptance speech ever. Class act . Rest In Eternal Peace Still Bill

If Bill Withers is not the definition of "cool" then I don't know cool.

God bless you, Bill Withers. Love your wit. Wish we had you for a longer time & that you'd given us more music. C'mon, Mrs. Withers! We know he was recording new songs! Release them!

I'm so glad he was alive to receive his induction into the Hall of Fame!!

OMG I didnt think I could love him any more than I did and he proved me wrong!! What an incredible human being!! Humble yet Monsterous, Funky, yet Qwirky, Just SOO deserving of this award and so much more... I wish I could have known him and played with himm.. Just one time of Use me up! or Lean on me!! UHH Im just overwhelmed ... God Rest his beautiful Soul

Mr. Bill was such a profound musician and songwriter, and his songs are still relevant today. “Besides who else came here with a legend and a wonder”. RIP

The sun will ALWAYS shine for you Mr. Withers! Time for you to rest now. Your job is done here...and your work will live on forever. 🙏💗

My father introduced me to this man and his music! "Grandma's Hands" is my favorite of his. It reminds me of my two grandmothers who are gone now, especially my father's mother, who I called Grammie. It was her favorite song as well. Thanks Bill! RIP, and I hope you are singing to my Grammie up there in Heaven.

"Lean on me, when you're not strong and I'll be your friend and I'll help you carry on". Thanks Mr Withers for being my hero.

I am honored to hear this man's speech and am glad that he was still alive to accept it 🙏.

what a special man, I could listen to him going off script all day long. and you can't get more classic than his songs.

I like the way his acceptance speech gives people outside the industry a glimpse of what its like behind the scenes in the recording business. That its not all glamor and tabloid magazines. A lot of collaboration that goes on to create that winning hit that consumers dont know about.

…a brilliant man…thanks for all your music inspiration…🙏

This man is a Father to so many men. God Bless him.

Love his phrase : Each form of music has its own constituency. Well deserved honor to this Brilliant songwriter.

When you think and talk like a poet your probably Mr Bill Withers RIP Bill

Glad he was alive to see this, great, humble man

This is a man that has lived his life to the fullest. Slow and steady and just an all around cool cat.

I had no idea Bill Withers was so witty, but also likeable. I really enjoyed this.

I could listen to that voice for hours.

This man was an incredible wordsmith. Proper play with words

"I will always remember the good things." Bill Wither

So witty, down to earth and on the ball! Condolences to his family, rest in peace Mr. Withers!

That is how you deliver a speech! Bill Withers' music will live on.

I've enjoyed Mr Withers music since childhood...His sound is second to none, bc his style & sound was original & great... Down to earth & mellow...Get you moving, but you listen & sing along...He was original & humble, & enjoyed the industry & many other singers"Stevie Wonder Knows My Name & The Brother Just Out Me In The Hall Of Game" 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Such A Class Act & He Is Missed...Thankful for His legendary Music He's Left For Us To Enjoy & Applaud 🎸🎙️

Bill Withers makes me smile. One of my favorite performers who I miss on a daily basis. Fortunately he left behind wonderful music that will live on. Thank you!!

I would have loved to have seen this a while back, but now he's gone. Why now? My condolences to the family of Mr. Bill Withers. I've loved your work since the early 70s. Rest in peace and thanks man.

RIP Mr. Withers....Thank you for you Lovely songs!

This man had SO much class... and talent to boot. RIP.

RIP Bill Withers . The true mark of a musician .Induction into the Music Hall of Fame. The songs will live forever

RIP See ya when I get there . You were a great man. I grew up in southfield. And your music. ❤

One of the few times the R&R HOF got it right & put this underrated legend in his rightful place before it was too late!!

Absolutely loved Bill's music as a young teenager, and to this day still listen to him quite often (I love technology). He was such a stand up man and a class act for sure. The "Sunshine" will never be as bright as it was with you here on Earth! Thanks for the music and the memories. RIP Mr. Withers.

R.I.P. Brotha...Your Music will live on Forever.

Old school soul storytelling by the late Bill Withers. He is a legendary soul treasure, legend. Watts 103rd Street Band is legendary too. I love him going off script and given all genres of music their props. 🙏 Mr. Withers, RIH and to Stevie Wonder for being a classic Soul Brother as always.

I will miss Mr Withers for the rest of my life with all my heart and soul. Vale, beautiful man. Fly high with all the other angels. 💜

What a wonderful speaker he was. R.I.P beautiful person and brilliant musical writer and singer of life.

Your songs of your best decades..It’s the amazing grace. RIP Withers 👍🏻🙏🏻

Yes Bill. You made your mark in this world while some of us are still struggling to find it. Thank you for the wonderful soundtrack of my life! RIP Sir Bill

What an unbelievably great presence!

One of the realist people ever.. down to earth and just seems like an old friend.. even if we never met.

R.I.P. the late great Mr. BILL WITHERS among your peers and true music lovers around the globe , he was a true rare musical talent. M

So glad I got to see this live. RIP to a incredible man and musician

RIP to a legendary wonder Bill Withers. I grew up listening to his music and my late Aunts had his "Still Bill" LP. Thank you for the music.😓❤

I know you're in heaven Bill....it's a LOVELY DAY!!!

Thank you Bill Withers for sharing your amazing music with the world.

"Used to babysit the Melvoin sisters." Wow. Those kids were lucky.

what a legend with an incredible voice and beautiful songs!!! R.I.P. Bill Withers

A great, humble speech from a great artist. RIP

Rest In Peace Bill. Thank you for your contribution to the world!

Truly Outstanding!!!😢😊 Rest Well, Sir🙏🏾

This was simply awesome!!! Rest In Peace sir!!!

I may have gotten into Bill’s music WAY too late, but at least, I enjoy his records as if they were released today. This man was a diamond. Sweet as sugar can be.

That's a beautiful thing. R.I.P Bill withers

Lovely speech by a lovely man and a superb artist.RIP.

Thank you sir for your MAGNIFICENT music

Best speech I've ever heard.❤

May His Soul REST Peacefully I, Love💛💛💛His Voice I, like how he sing!!! His Voice Is One Of A Kind🎤🎸🎤🎸🎤🎼🎹🎼🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎸🎤🎹🎼🎹🎼🎶🎶🎶🎸🎤🎸🎸He's A Legend For Real And His Music Shall Live On Forever & EVERRRRRR!!!! @BillWithers🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

One of my "FAVORITE MUSICIANS OF ALL TIME "!! A great.... Will never be another.

Withers: Hold on that teleprompter. Stevie Wonder: I didn't use it! hahahahah

I'm glad to say I grew up on Mr Bill Withers music, Rest in power . #blackexcellence to the maximum.

Wow never knew he was in the Navy thank you for your service sir.

I love this man, my father does as well and showed me all the great music he loved and played in his band as a child in the 60s 70s and 80s. Back when music was a lifestyle and real. The quality of music in our past in the good ol days is just absolutely incredible..... So thank you Bill for all the inspiration you gave me and the world 🌎

Wow! Where I'm in 2015 that I miss this show.

Real Bill. Gonna miss you.

😇🙌🏻 GB! RIP Bill Withers! Thank you for ALL your GREAT music! 🎼🎸🥁🎺🎹🎼 🙌🏻❤️❤️!

Thank you Mr.Withers for mentioning Chico Hamilton, had never heard of him, really glad I did.

I LOVE THIS MAN I WILL ALWAYS LOVE HIM... ORIGINAL GREAT MUSIC ALWAYS

What a cool and classy musician. Rip Bill.

Awesome Peaceful journey Bill No Sunshine until the virus goes away! Always in our hearts and prayers.

Were goin miss you Mr Withers😪I love how he tell it like is and he has that Damn right to let it all out

RIP William Harrison Withers Jr. July 4th 1983 -March 30th 2020 A true Legend Never is forgotten! My daughter said he is an Angel Yes he is!

Love to Bill’s family x

RIP LEGEND

MUCH LOVE BILL !!!!!! ALWAYS IN MY HEART MIND BODY SOUL !!!!!!!! MY GOD WELCOME YOU TO HIS KINGDOM !!!!!!!! REST IN PEACE MR. WITHERS !!!!!!!!! LOVE ALWAYS .

EXCELLENT. He has a beautiful personality. I had no clue that he was so charismatic. He always seemed to distant and blah but he is magnificent.

Simply awesome such a cool classy cat. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Thank you for sharing your husband and father with the world going thru our struggles thru the past few weeks. Blessings to you going thru your loss.

Pure class & talent with a great sense of humor. R.I.P. Bill😞

And that, boys and girls, is some OG swagger.

Sail on! Legend. Thank you for your gifts you left behind.

Bill Withers Should've Added Comedian To His Talent, He Was Funny As Hell, May You Rest In Peace, You Music Is Timeless & Will Live On, Thank You Bill!!!!!!!!

I love you so much maestro!

As a child i would listen to songs of the fifties ,sixties,seventies songs my father loved, i wish i was born in those era's when poetry was turned into song, when men loved women and women loved men, when through persecution men and women pured out there soul on paper and sometimes striaght on plastic (vinyl) Good old days, my father died last year September he was 80 would be 81 March 28, 2020 Just like Bill Withers was smooth like him, always had a smile, with dimples that soften any Eve. Lean on me should be the anthem of this pandemic cause God knows that it is only through brotherly love we can overcome.

Amazing poetic man.rest in peace🙏

Vale Bill Withers (1938-2020)✝️

I've loved this man's music for as long as I can remember. Farewell genius.

Bill, comment ne pas t'aimer ? Tu es un grand Homme, avec une grande humilité et une belle carrière. J'aime toutes tes chansons, et chacune d'entre elle me rappelle un moment particulier de ma vie. Je ne peux m'empêcher de pleurer, lorsque j'écoute "Hello like before". Tu ressembles tellement à mon frère aîné disparu il y a 44 ans. Je le perd une seconde fois avec ta disparition. Je suis profondément triste. Repose dans la paix du SEIGNEUR ! I love you so much ! ❤

What a guy!!RIP BILL

that was great..and to the point. what a gift.

Both these legends need a biopic soon.

West Virginia Proud

Beautiful. What a man

RIP..Legend, ..Wonderful..

He was no ordinary man, Bless him

Majestic Soul R.I.P.

old bill withers in the words of smokey robinson really gonna miss you