Percy Sledge R.I.P.

http://www.timesdaily.com/news/local/muscle-shoals-music-icon-percy-sledge-dies/article_b245a249-176b-57e6-b4a2-5fc97c142f00.html

This one hurts. I met him briefly once when I lived in Muscle Shoals and he was the nicest man. And of course "When a Man Loves a Woman" is one of the best singles of the 20th century, no small feat.

;_; ;_;

RIP. What a voice.

Oh no! RIP Percy.

Fantastic voice.

There was a benefit for him in September 2014. He was fighting liver cancer. He looked good in the Muscle Shoals doc.

RIP

Aw, man.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEtAEvlPStI

Some thoughts from my good friend Scott, who actually grew up in the Shoals area.

http://i.imgur.com/mWotX7u.jpg

"I love this picture of Mr. Sledge. The news of his passing is very sad, but this is how I see him…joyful and smiling. I had the pleasure of growing up knowing him, as he became a family friend because of my uncle's nearly life-long friendship and collaboration on many of his records. I had no idea that "Percy" as he was simply referred to by my kin, was famous. As a kid, I just new him as the really sweet man with the fascinating and contagious gap-toothed smile who would occasionally join my family for after-church meals at my Grandmother's house. As a high school student, I understood more who he was, and of course thought it was "cool" that a famous soul singer was a friend of the family. As an adult, I respect and treasure his music, and will cherish my signed copy of one of his later recordings. My heart goes out to his family, friends, fans and personally, to my Uncle David who loved Percy and called him a close friend for 40+ years. R.I.P. Mr. Sledge. Your heartfelt, soulful delivery - and that smile - will live forever."

RIP

I've heard "When a Man Loves a Woman" too many times, but obviously a colossal, incomparable record. (Or close--the Impressions' "For Your Precious Love" is as deep and as epic.)

I implore you to listen to it in a vacuum tonight. Clear your mind of any other associations you may have with the song and let it wash over you.

Oh, I know. It's never a knock on the song when I say stuff like that. Just something that happens with me that I always feel compelled to acknowledge. (Happily, one of the associations that does not get in the way is a funny-looking man with big hair.)

'when a man loves a woman' possibly the most played song on oldies stations in the 80s and 90s, and I eventually couldn't stand it anymore --- would in fact change the channel or just turn off the radio. It's not exactly a great driving song and somehow emotionally rich material is hurt the most by enforced exposure.

Try his "Take Time To Know Her," another 1st class tearjerker that while not as great also hasn't been played as often.

Sometimes hearing more songs by a good artist can re-invigorate an overheard song; for example, when a few years ago I finally listened to the whole Skynyrd album that culminates with Free Bird, I enjoyed that song for the first time in decades.

boomin, vp

I'll never understand how 'When a Man...' became the huge all-time #1 Percy hit while 'It Tears Me Up' was consigned to obscurity. Such an amazing song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4hIRfQX9cw

^great song

Thirded

I believe that's a re-recorded version of the original single, now that I listen to it. The original is in regular rotation in my collection.