Percy Sledge, soul singer, dies aged 73

Percy Sledge, the singer who topped the charts in 1966 with ‘When a Man Loves a Woman’ has died at the age of 73.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Apr 2015, 16:58 GMT
Percy Sledge performs at the Alabama Hall of Fame concert. Picture: Wiki CommonsPercy Sledge performs at the Alabama Hall of Fame concert. Picture: Wiki Commons
Percy Sledge performs at the Alabama Hall of Fame concert. Picture: Wiki Commons

Local media reported that Sledge died at his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Sledge, who worked as a nurse before trying his hand at music, hit the big time after he recorded debut single ‘When a Man Loves a Woman,’ taking it to top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, and the Billboard R&B Chart.

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It remained on the Hot 100 for two weeks and the R&B chart for six weeks.

The song also made the top 10 in the UK on two occasions, going to number four on its release and number two on its re-release in 1987.

The track was originally released on April 16th, 1966 - 49 years ago this Thursday.

Sledge’s other hits included ‘Warm and Tender Love’, ‘Take Time to Know Her’ and ‘It Tears Me Up’.

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He picked up a number of awards for his music, including a Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Steve Green, of Artists International Management - who represented Sledge - said: “He was a wonderful guy in a terrible business. He was truly a standout.”

‘When a Man Loves a Woman’ was ranked the 53rd greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.

Sledge is survived by his wife Rose and 12 children.