I think I was first introduced to Bill Withers when I was in the 5th grade...1984ish?
My best friend throughout HS moved to my hometown when we were in the 4th grade. He had one older brother. I didn't know it at the time, but his father was in prison. His mother had a disease... Lupus, maybe? Anyway, she died suddenly & unexpected when we were in the 5th grade. He and his brother then moved in with their grandparents. (Each of whom died before we graduated HS... but that's another story.)
Anyway, I remember one of our teachers gave my best friend Lean on Me after his Mom died. Now, I can't hear that song without thinking of my friend and that time.