Percy Sledge

Percy Sledge is truly a music legend whose soulful sound made him an instant icon in the summer of 1966 with the release of “When a Man Loves a Woman”. A heart wrenching ballad, this song will forever be remembered as one of the greatest love songs of all time. In this video, Percy Sledge tells the story of how, while growing up working in the cotton fields of Leighton, Alabama, he hummed the melody for “When a Man Loves a Woman” as far back as he can remember. Percy began his career singing at fraternity parties on the campuses of the University of Alabama, Ole Miss, and Alabama A&M. These small appearances lead Percy to the local Elk’s Club, where he first performed an unfinished version of his song. At the urging of up and coming record producer, Quin Ivy, Percy put lyrics to the melody and a song developed that would change his life forever. “When a Man Loves a Woman” was the first ever Gold Record for Atlantic Records in 1966. That same year he won a Grammy for the song and had two other top ten hits, including “Warm and Tender” and “It Tears Me Up.” Percy was the first person to be awarded the Rhythm and Blues Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 1989, and in 2005 Percy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. For more than forty years now, Percy Sledge has performed this classic love song to audiences all over the world and never gets tired of it. Brought to life by a voice that exudes such conviction, “When a Man Loves a Woman” will forever be one of the defining records of soul music. For more
information please visit Percy Sledge at
PSledge.com.