Percy Tyrone Sledge (1940–2015) was an American soul singer. His career spanned nearly half a century, but Sledge was best known for the 1966 classic soul ballad “When a Man Loves a Woman,” which launched his career.
Born in Leighton, Alabama, Sledge began singing in his church choir. He later became part of a small band, the Esquires Combo, which played in local nightclubs. By day, he worked as a chemical factory worker and a hospital attendant.
“When a Man Loves a Woman” was Sledge’s first single and is considered one of the greatest of all soul songs. The song charted at No. 1 for 13 weeks in the U.S. and Canada, and top five in the U.K. in two decades.
Sledge’s later hit singles—including “Warm and Tender Love” (1966,) “It Tears Me Up” (1966,) “Cover Me” (1967,) “Take Time to Know Her” (1968,) and “I’ll Be Your Everything” (1974)—never approached the acclaim of his first hit.
“When a Man Loves a Woman” had a resurgence of popularity in the 1980s when it was included on the soundtrack of movies such as The Big Chill (1983) and Platoon (1986.) Artists later covered it, including Bette Midler and Michael Bolton, whose own version became a No. 1 hit.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Percy Sledge
When a man loves a woman, he can’t keep his mind on nothing else.
—Percy Sledge
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Leave a Reply