Bill Withers Returns To Carnegie Hall To Be Honored In Tribute Concert10/1; Initial Lineup Includes D'angelo, Ed Sheeran + More

42 years after the release of Bill Withers' seminal 'Live At Carnegie Hall' LP, the iconic yet reclusive soul man will return to the same hallowed venue as part of a special tribute concert on October 1st. In celebration of Withers' recent induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the initial lineup includes Ed Sheeran, D'Angelo, Aloe Blacc, Amos Lee, Keb' Mo', Michael McDonald, Gregory Porter, Kathy Mattea, Ledisi and Dr. John with more names to be revealed soon. This prolific group of musicians will be performing 'Live At Carnegie Hall' in its entirety (plus additional Withers classics). In a rare public appearance, Withers himself will be in attendance.

Presented by Michael Dorf of City Winery, the concert will benefit the Stuttering Association for the Young (SAY). All net profits will go to the organization. Withers himself has stuttered since childhood and has been an important part of the SAY family for almost a decade. "Bill is a champion for all young people who stutter and has been a voice for more than 70 million people who stutter worldwide. SAY is honored to be part of what is sure to be a legendary night," said Taro Alexander, SAY Founder & President.

Greg Phillinganes will serve as musical director and house bandleader all night. Phillinganes is known for his work as musical director for Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. The show will be co-produced by Bill's wife Marcia, City Winery's Shlomo Lipetz, music producer Leo Sacks and Phillinganes himself.

The New York Times broke the news this morning: http://nyti.ms/1gEv8SO

Dorf is uniquely suited to create such an impressive and eclectic roster as a founder of two seminal NYC music venues: the Knitting Factory, which he started in 1987 and sold in 2002, and City Winery, which he founded in 2008 in NYC and now has locations in Chicago, Napa and Nashville. He has over 27 years of live programming experience for stages across the globe.

Initial Lineup:

Ed Sheeran

D'Angelo

Aloe Blacc

Amos Lee

Keb' Mo'

Michael McDonald

Gregory Porter

Kathy Mattea 

Ledisi

Dr. John