Sad news to report ILOSM family. Percy Sledge has passed away at the age of 74 years young. Here are the details, via heavy.com:
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The singer of “When a Man Loves a Woman” has died at the age of 73. Percy Sledge passed away at his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at around 1 a.m. on April 14. In a 1996 interview Sledge was asked about how he dealt with his global fame, to which replied “Well, I am the type of guy that has always been the same all of my life. My class mates at our class reunion always say the same thing. They could not believe that being a world artist, I still seem like I was when we were at school together. We meet every other year. They all have grey hair.”
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Sledge will be forever remembered for “When a Man Loves a Woman” which topped the Billboard charts for two weeks in 1966. It was released in 1987 when it got to number two. Then, in 1991, Michael Bolton released a cover which once again reached the top. The song placed at 53rd on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
2. One Critic Called His Music ‘Emotional Classics for Romantics of all Ages’
Despite never replicating the success of his major hit, Sledge continued to released modest hits such as “Warm and Tender Love” and “It Tears Me Up.” Music critic David Marsh described Sledge’s output as “emotional classics for romantics of all ages.” His last album was his 2013 effort The Gospel of Percy Sledge. In total, he released nine albums throughout his long career. The song was used in a 1987 Levis commercial.
3. He Was a Member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
He was a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 2005, as well as a member of the Delta Music and Louisiana Halls of Fame.
4. Sledge Got His Start While Working as an Orderly at a Hospital
Speaking to KATC, Sledge’s representative, Steve Green said, “He was a wonderful guy in a terrible business. He was truly a standout.” Sledge was a native of Leighton, Alabama,according to an Al.com profile. Through his first job working as an orderly at Colbert County Hospital in Sheffield, Alabama, he met record producer Quin Ivy. The two struck up and friendship which launched Sledge’s singing career.
5. He’s Survived by His Wife & 12 Kids
Sledge is survived by his wife, Rosa Sledge. The couple were married in 1980. According to an interview that Sledge did with Blues and Soul, he has 12 kids, 15 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
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