It is a song that, for decades, has thrilled music lovers worldwide for its interesting message of how love can blind a man to the flaws of his woman. But the singer of the great ballad, When a Man Loves a Woman is no more. Reuters reports that Percy Sledge has died after battling liver cancer.

The Reuters report reads in part: “Sledge, dubbed ‘The King of Slow Soul’, recorded the song for Atlantic Records in 1966. It was his first single and is considered one of the greatest

of all soul songs. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.

“ ‘It is with great sadness that we must say goodbye to a true legend, a humble family man,

and a beautiful human being,’ said his friend and manager Mark Lyman.

“Sledge died peacefully at home in Baton Rouge surrounded by his family. He had been diagnosed with the illness more than a year ago and his condition worsened last week. He had not performed since the middle of March last year. Funeral details were not available.

“ ‘Everybody loved him. It wasn’t just about ‘When a Man Loves a Woman’. There were many other songs that he recorded,’ Lyman said. ‘He was an ambassador of the humble man but yet an

international icon.’

“Born in Leighton, Alabama, Sledge rose to stardom in the 1960s. He worked as a hospital

orderly for about seven years and began performing with the Esquires in local clubs. Sledge

was known for his distinctive vocals and recorded a string of hits, including Warm and Tender

Love, It Tears Me Up, and Take Time to Know Her.

“But When a Man Loves a Woman was his signature song and he said the inspiration came

after his girlfriend left him. The song, which is No. 53 on Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 greatest

songs of all time, was recorded by other artistes, including Michael Bolton and Bette Midler.

“Sledge received the first career achievement award from the Rhythm & Blues Foundation in

1989 and was also an inductee into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

“While Sledge was best known in the United States for When a Man Loves a Woman, he was

popular in other places like the Caribbean and Scandinavia.

“ ‘They knew every song,’ his agent Steve Green said of Sledge’s global audience. They knew it

just like they knew When a Man Loves a Woman.’

“Sledge is survived by his wife, Rosa, several children and a brother and sister.”

•Photo shows late Percy Sledge during a performance.