1. In 1989, Percy Sledge received the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award.
11 Facts About Percy Sledge
1. 2.
Percy Sledge was born on November 25,1940, in Leighton, Alabama.
3.
Percy Sledge worked in a series of agricultural jobs in the fields near Leighton, before taking a job as an orderly at Colbert County Hospital in Sheffield, Alabama.
4.
An audition followed, and Percy Sledge was signed to a recording contract.
5.
Percy Sledge charted with "I'll Be Your Everything" and "Sunshine" during the 1970s, and became an international concert favorite throughout the world, especially in the Netherlands, Germany, and on the African continent; he averaged 100 concerts a year in apartheid-era South Africa.
6.
On March 23,1987, Percy Sledge performed "When a Man Loves a Woman" as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live hosted by Bill Murray.
7.
In May 2007, Percy Sledge was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame in Baton Rouge, LA.
8.
In 2011 Percy Sledge toured with Sir Cliff Richard during his Soulicious tour, performing "I'm Your Puppet".
9.
Percy Sledge married twice and had twelve children, three of whom became singers.
10.
Percy Sledge died of liver cancer at his home in Baton Rouge on April 14,2015, at the age of 74.
11.
Percy Sledge's interment was in Baton Rouge's Heavenly Gates Cemetery.