R&B Singer Percy Sledge Dies At 74
Singer Percy Sledge has died at the age of 74 due to liver failure, his family has confirmed through his manager Mark Lyman.
He died peacefully surrounded by his family at his home in Baton Rouge on Tuesday.
Sledge was diagnosed with liver cancer more than a year ago. In January 2014, he underwent a surgery for his cancer.
Feeling
better,
Sledge
decided
to
resume
his
tour
but
had
to
stop
performing
since
March
2014
due
to
his
condition.
A
week
before
his
death,
his
condition
worsened
and
he
passed
away
due
to
liver
failure.
Musician Bootsy Collins said on social media on Tuesday: "Just lost another legend funkateers, Mr. Percy Sledge. He was an American R&B and soul performer who most notably recorded the single 'When a Man Loves a Woman' in 1966, an international top 40 hit that the RIAA has certified as gold."
Another musician friend from BBC Radio 2, DJ Tony Blackburn paid a tribute on Twitter.
"Sad to hear that Percy Sledge has died. I wonder how many times I've played 'When A Man Loves A Woman'. RIP," he tweeted.
A tribute also came from singer Michael Bolton who covered "When a Man Loves a Woman" in 1991.
"An inspiration as an artist & one of the most gracious human beings. We sang together. Forever grateful! Love MB," Bolton tweeted.
Sledge released "When a Man Loves a Woman", his first single under Atlantic Records, in 1966. The song was considered one of the world's greatest soul songs.
He received the first career achievement award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1989. In 2005 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.