One of American music's biggest (and maybe most underrated) icons passed away at the age of 73 this morning -- Percy Sledge.

I had the honor of introducing Percy Sledge in concert several times in my career and I have to tell you that he was truly a good guy and a gentleman through and through.

Sledge was pretty much catapulted into fame back in 1966 when his mega hit "When a Man Loves a Woman" launched him to international fame back in April of 1966. The song, which was a world-wide hit was also was No. 54 in the list of Rolling Stone magazine's 500 greatest songs of all time.

While Sledge did have other hits on the charts, songs like "Warm and Tender Love' and "Take Time to Know Her", he was never able to return to that #1 spot on the charts.

He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

Sledge had been battling cancer for several years.

Here's a great video of Sledge performing his most famous hit.

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