Percy Sledge
Percy Tyrone Sledge was born on November 25, 1940, in Leighton, Alabama, and passed away on April 14, 2015, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Before rising to fame, Sledge worked in agricultural jobs and as an orderly at Colbert County Hospital in Sheffield, Alabama. He sang with the Esquires Combo on weekends, which led to his introduction to record producer Quin Ivy.
Sledge's career took off with the release of "When a Man Loves a Woman" in 1966, a song that became a No. 1 hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B singles charts. The song, inspired by personal heartbreak, was the first gold record for Atlantic Records and marked the beginning of Sledge's success in the music industry. He followed this hit with other soul classics like "Warm and Tender Love," "It Tears Me Up," and "Take Time to Know Her."
Throughout the 1970s, Sledge continued to chart with songs like "I'll Be Your Everything" and "Sunshine," and he maintained a strong international presence, particularly in Europe and Africa. His career experienced a revival in the 1980s when "When a Man Loves a Woman" was used in a Levi's commercial, leading to its re-entry into the UK Singles Chart.
Sledge's contributions to music were recognized with several accolades, including the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award in 1989 and his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. Despite his passing, Sledge's legacy endures through his timeless music and the continued popularity of his signature song.
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