Percy Sledge (Born 25/11/1940)

Sledge was born in Leighton, Alabama and originally sang in a gospel group whilst working as a hospital orderly. 'When A Man Loves A Woman', recorded in 1965, released in 1966 and produced by Quinn Ivy in Quinvy Studios in Muscle Shoals catapulted Sledge from hospital orderly to one of the leading lights of soul music.
A story of romantic treachery, the song's fable was driven home by Sledge's huge voice, which was already equipped with the trademark quavering emotion which helped separate him from the rest and which has stayed with him throughout his career. The song was a hit again in 1987, a career revived by the dubious honour of featuring in a jeans advert!

Percy Sledge then went on to create a body of work the equal of any in the idiom. 'Take Time To Know Her', 'It Tears Me Up', 'Warm And Tender Love', 'Sudden Stop', 'Cover Me', 'Out Of Left Field' and the neglected classic 'True Love Travels On A Gravel Road' are just some of the tracks which demand to be heard by anyone remotely interested in soul music of any era.

Jerry Wexler once described an earlier compilation of Percy's music as the best 'Best Of' to be found in soul music. I agree, and all of his best stuff can now be found on th absolutely indispensable 23 track compilation "It Tears Me Up - The Best Of Percy Sledge" on Rhino records (Rhino 8122-70285-2). An absolutely must have release, one of the great soul vocalists accompanied by the great writing and playing of the likes of Spooner Oldham, Marlin Greene, Dan Penn, Roger Hawkins and Eddie Hinton. Sledge also recorded for Capricorn in 1974 ("I'll Be Your Everything") which although not in the class of the earlier material was still a fine album.

After this, he ended up in virtual obscurity, touring Europe occasionally but in the main taking other jobs to make ends meet. The 1987 re-release of 'When A Man....' gave him a much needed lift and in 1994 he recorded a stunning comeback album "Blue Night", working with distinguished back ups such as Bobby Womack and Steve Cropper.
Percy's voice on this album is a warm as ever, his intonation is faultless and the interpretation of the songs holds the same degree of integrity and emotion that he first exhibited way back in 1965. Find the album on Virgin (Skyranch 7243 8398712 2) and enjoy (unfortunately you'll have to search to find it).

His style and approach is in my view both poles apart and superior to more exalted contemporaries such as Otis Redding. He combined the rhythms and emotions he learnt in church with the country he heard as he grew up. Others did this as well of course - but he also has a purity and honesty in his voice which is apparent to everyone who hears it.
He sums it up best himself:-
"Most artists judge their success by how much noise and excitement they create, but I prefer my audience to be quiet".