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Bill Withers- Ain't No Sunshine

Posted on 4/1/26 at 8:27 pm
Posted by Shanegolang
Denham Springs, La
Member since Sep 2015
4944 posts
Posted on 4/1/26 at 8:27 pm
On this 1972 performance of Ain't No Sunshine performed on "Old Grey Whistle Test", who played electric guitar? Obviously Bill Withers is playing acoustic but whose on lead? Obviously a jazz influenced player, playing Am7 and other alternative chords to the simple Am, Em and Dm chord progression played on the original studio version.
I found this on a search, " In his 1972 Old Grey Whistle Test performance of "Ain't No Sunshine," Bill Withers played acoustic guitar himself. He was accompanied by his touring band, which included a drummer, a bass player, and another guitarist, though the specific identity of that second guitarist in the 1972 studio session is not explicitly highlighted in the video footage."
I want to know who he is. Anybody here know?
Posted by Lawyered
The Sip
Member since Oct 2016
38098 posts
Posted on 4/1/26 at 9:17 pm to
Swag level of that drummer is not measurable

One of my all time favorite songs
Posted by shutterspeed
MS Gulf Coast
Member since May 2007
72108 posts
Posted on 4/2/26 at 12:46 am to
All of those players looked cool af.
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
31383 posts
Posted on 4/2/26 at 1:41 am to
Except for the sweat on Bill Wither's face.
Posted by Shanegolang
Denham Springs, La
Member since Sep 2015
4944 posts
Posted on 4/2/26 at 5:09 am to
quote:

One of my all time favorite songs

Know how many times he sang "I know" in a row? 26. Interesting to note that Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young played guitar on the original studio recording. I really am curious who this guitarists was. I have searched far and wide and cant find an answer. I love to play it this way. Especially on acoustic. Far less boring musically. That ending chord is simply beautiful.
Posted by Telecaster
Memphis
Member since May 2017
2242 posts
Posted on 4/2/26 at 8:21 am to
I believe the lead guitarist is Benorce Blackmon. Not really familiar with him, just based on searching Bill Withers touring band, 1972.
Posted by hogcard1964
Alabama
Member since Jan 2017
19143 posts
Posted on 4/2/26 at 8:36 am to
And he sang "I know" 26 times in a row because the song was unfinished and he was just bridging because he didn't have the lyrics completed yet.
Posted by shutterspeed
MS Gulf Coast
Member since May 2007
72108 posts
Posted on 4/2/26 at 9:17 am to
quote:

Except for the sweat on Bill Wither's face.


I was thinking, Jesus, I hope that's not the very first song they played.
Posted by Jmcc64
alabama
Member since Apr 2021
2080 posts
Posted on 4/2/26 at 10:40 am to
Look up "chill" in Websters, they'll show the bass player.
Posted by FearlessFreep
Baja Alabama
Member since Nov 2009
19884 posts
Posted on 4/2/26 at 1:48 pm to
thanks for sharing this

always loved this song, this arrangement takes it to another level
Posted by Shanegolang
Denham Springs, La
Member since Sep 2015
4944 posts
Posted on 4/2/26 at 2:32 pm to
quote:

I believe the lead guitarist is Benorce Blackmon


Thanks a million, I'm gonna research him and I bet you're right!

quote:

thanks for sharing this always loved this song, this arrangement takes it to another level


I agree! I love it.
Posted by nealnan8
Atlanta
Member since Oct 2016
4531 posts
Posted on 4/2/26 at 3:54 pm to
This and Grandma's Hands are some of the most soulful songs that I have ever heard.
Posted by STigers
Gulf Coast
Member since Nov 2022
4121 posts
Posted on 4/2/26 at 4:26 pm to
So good!! Real Music right there!!
Posted by TigerBR1111
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2014
8474 posts
Posted on 4/3/26 at 8:31 am to
My favorite Bill Withers song (along with “Lovely Day”) and one of my favorite songs of all time.
This post was edited on 4/3/26 at 8:46 am
Posted by auggie
Opelika, Alabama
Member since Aug 2013
31383 posts
Posted on 4/3/26 at 1:11 pm to
quote:

Swag level of that drummer is not measurable


Like Roger Hawkins..just happy to be here.
This post was edited on 4/3/26 at 2:08 pm
Posted by jimmy the leg
Member since Aug 2007
43898 posts
Posted on 4/3/26 at 2:19 pm to
quote:

And he sang "I know" 26 times in a row because the song was unfinished and he was just bridging because he didn't have the lyrics completed yet.


This

It made the song stand out.


There are other musical moments like this (“Where do we go now?” was a filler on Sweet Child of Mine.)


Cool stuff
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