MUMBAI: 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.
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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, reports aceshowbiz.com.
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.
