Percy Tyrone Sledge (November 25, 1940 – April 14, 2015) was an American R&B, soul and gospel singer.

A former patient and mutual friend of Sledge and record producer Quin Ivy introduced the two.

[7] The soul anthem became the cornerstone of Sledge's career, and was followed by "Warm and Tender Love" (covered by British singer Elkie Brooks in 1981), "It Tears Me Up", "Take Time to Know Her" (his second biggest US hit, reaching No.

[8][9] Sledge's career enjoyed a renaissance in the 1980s during which "When a Man Loves a Woman" re-entered the UK Singles Chart after being used in a Levi's commercial, peaking at No.

[3] On March 23, 1987, Sledge performed "When a Man Loves a Woman" as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live hosted by Bill Murray.

In 1994, Saul Davis and Barry Goldberg produced Sledge's album Blue Night for Philippe Le Bras' Sky Ranch label and Virgin Records.

In 2004, Davis and Goldberg also produced the Shining Through the Rain album, which preceded his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Songs on the CD were written by Mikael Rickfors, Steve Earle, the Bee Gees, Carla Olson, Denny Freeman, Allan Clarke and Jackie Lomax.

In May 2007, Percy was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame in Baton Rouge, LA.