Aged 73.
If Randy (Bupalo1) were still here (I miss him, too) - he'd likely draw a line that connected the rise and popularity of Percy Sledge with the emergence of the Allman Brother's Band. He might not be too far off the mark.
"When a Man Loves a Woman" was the first bona-fide hit out of the Muscle Shoals area. The song took off and pretty much greased the wheels for everything else that would come out of that musically fertile region.
The song became so identifiable with Percy that some consider him a one hit wonder, which just wasn't the case at all. The tune got covered by several artists. Count me among those who think Michael Bolton should be drawn and quartered for his over-emoting of the song (my opinion).
What a voice! Percy Sledge will be missed!
R.I.P., Percy. You will be missed.
what a voice! 
Ouch! "When a Man Loves a Woman" is timeless powered by Percy's incredible vocal. The song was played at my wedding for the cake-cutting ceremony. RIP
[Edited on 4/15/2015 by dzobo]
Count me among those who think Michael Bolton should be drawn and quartered for his over-emoting of the song
And quartered again for not acknowledging Percy when Bolton picked a Grammy for his sorry rendition!
The Mule covered "When A Man Loves a Woman" during the second set of the 4/14 show in Jackson, MS.
At least one verse.
If Randy (Bupalo1) were still here (I miss him, too) - he'd likely draw a line that connected the rise and popularity of Percy Sledge with the emergence of the Allman Brother's Band. He might not be too far off the mark.
"When a Man Loves a Woman" was the first bona-fide hit out of the Muscle Shoals area. The song took off and pretty much greased the wheels for everything else that would come out of that musically fertile region.
The song became so identifiable with Percy that some consider him a one hit wonder, which just wasn't the case at all. The tune got covered by several artists. Count me among those who think Michael Bolton should be drawn and quartered for his over-emoting of the song (my opinion).
What a voice! Percy Sledge will be missed!
That song has the same importance of legacy as Aretha's R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Everybody sings it, but nobody can do it the way the original was done.
Percy Sledge R.I.P
