Soul icon Percy Sledge has died at the age of 73.
The star, who was well known for his number one single When a Man Loves a Woman, passed away at his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, according to his longtime friend David Johnson, it has been reported.
Sledge’s hit reached the number one spot on both the Billboard Hot 100, where it spent two weeks, and R&B singles chart.
It has also been named number 53 in Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 greatest songs of all time.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s second best performing hit was Take Time To Know Her, which reached number 11 on the Billboard chart.
Thursday, April 16th, will mark the 49th anniversary of the release of When a Man Loves a Woman as a single.
Warm and Tender Love and It Tears Me Up were some of the music star's other notable tracks, and despite his chart success dwindling - he continued to tour and perform live for many years.
Throughout his career, Sledge earned himself several prestigious awards including a Blues Music Award, a Rhythm and Blues Foundation Pioneer Award, and induction into the Delta Music, Louisiana Music, and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame.
"He was a wonderful guy in a terrible business. He was truly a standout," Slegde's music agent Steve Green said.
The singer is survived by his wife and 12 children, 15 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
