# Percy Sledge

> American singer (1941–2015)

**Wikidata**: [Q445862](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q445862)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Sledge)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/percy-sledge

## Summary
Percy Sledge was an American singer (1941–2015) renowned as a pivotal figure in the soul and blues genres. He is best known for his powerful vocal performances and his association with record labels such as Atlantic Records and Capricorn Records. His career spanned from 1960 until his death in 2015, earning him induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

## Biography
- **Born**: November 25, 1941 (with some sources citing 1940)
- **Nationality**: United States (American)
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Being a soul and blues singer; induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- **Employer(s)**: Atlantic Records, Capricorn Records
- **Field(s)**: Soul music, Blues music

## Contributions
Percy Sledge's primary contribution was his vocal artistry within the soul and blues genres, which helped define the sound of American popular music in the 1960s and beyond. While specific song titles are not listed in the provided text, his work is cataloged under the genres of soul (inception post-1955) and blues (inception post-1890). He released music through major industry players, specifically Atlantic Records (founded 1947) and Capricorn Records (founded 1969), contributing to the legacy of these labels. His recordings are preserved in databases such as MusicBrainz (ID: c2f37fdf-5e8f-4d9c-9a03-219a8239cf5f) and Discogs, ensuring his musical output remains accessible. His induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (inception 1983) stands as a formal recognition of his impact on the music industry.

## FAQs
**What genres of music was Percy Sledge associated with?**
Percy Sledge was a prominent figure in the soul and blues genres. His work contributed to the development and popularization of these musical styles, which have origins dating back to the late 19th and mid-20th centuries.

**Which record labels did Percy Sledge record for?**
Throughout his career, Sledge was affiliated with Atlantic Records, a label founded in 1947, and Capricorn Records, an independent label established in 1969. These affiliations placed him within significant American music distribution networks.

**When was Percy Sledge born and when did he pass away?**
He was born on November 25, 1941, though some records indicate 1940. He passed away in April 2015, with specific dates recorded as April 14 or April 15, 2015.

**What major recognition did Percy Sledge receive during his lifetime?**
Sledge was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a music museum located in Cleveland, Ohio. This honor acknowledges his lasting influence on the history of rock and roll and related genres.

## Why They Matter
Percy Sledge matters as a foundational voice in American soul and blues music, bridging the gap between traditional blues and the emerging soul genre of the 1960s. His work with Atlantic Records and Capricorn Records helped solidify the infrastructure for rhythm and blues distribution, bringing African American musical traditions to wider audiences. Without his contributions, the emotional depth and vocal style characteristic of classic soul music would lack a key architect. His induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame cements his status as a cultural icon whose influence extends beyond his lifetime, preserving the legacy of the genres he championed.

## Notable For
- **Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame**: Recognized for his significant impact on music history.
- **Soul and Blues Vocalist**: A defining voice in genres that emerged from African American musical traditions.
- **Association with Atlantic Records**: Recorded for the influential label founded by Ahmet Ertegün and Herb Abramson.
- **Association with Capricorn Records**: Collaborated with the independent label known for Southern rock and soul.
- **Long Career Span**: Active in the music industry from 1960 until his death in 2015.
- **Full Name**: Percy Tyrone Sledge.
- **American Heritage**: A native of the United States who contributed to the nation's cultural exports.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Percy Tyrone Sledge was an American citizen born in the United States. While the most commonly cited birth date is November 25, 1941, some authoritative sources list his birth year as 1940. He was a member of the human species, specifically the *Homo sapiens* genus. His life and career were deeply rooted in the cultural landscape of the United States, a country known for its diverse musical heritage.

### Musical Career and Genre
Sledge's professional life was dedicated to singing for a listening audience, a role defined as a "singer." He specialized in two primary genres: soul and blues. The soul genre, which gained prominence after 1955, and the blues, originating around 1890, formed the core of his artistic output. His work period officially began in 1960, marking the start of a decades-long contribution to the music industry. He is categorized as an instance of a human and a person, with his occupation listed as a singer.

### Record Label Affiliations
A significant portion of Sledge's career was defined by his relationships with major record labels. He was associated with Atlantic Records, an American label founded in 1947 by Ahmet Ertegün and Herb Abramson. Atlantic Records, now a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, has a rich history of promoting rhythm and blues and jazz. Sledge also recorded for Capricorn Records, an independent American label established in 1969 with headquarters in Macon, Georgia. These affiliations placed him within the "Big Three" and independent sectors of the music industry, allowing his music to reach global audiences through established distribution networks.

### Recognition and Legacy
The most significant honor bestowed upon Percy Sledge was his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This institution, located in Cleveland, Ohio, and established in 1983, serves as a museum and hall of fame for music history. His induction validates his status as a key figure in the evolution of American popular music. His legacy is further preserved through various digital identifiers and cataloging systems, including MusicBrainz, Discogs, AllMusic, and IMDb, ensuring his discography and biographical data remain accessible to researchers and fans.

### Personal Data and Digital Footprint
Sledge's life is documented through numerous unique identifiers across global databases. His Wikidata ID is Q144998457, and he holds Library of Congress authority IDs such as n91057289. His death occurred in April 2015, with records specifying April 14 or April 15. He maintained an official website at http://psledge.com. His digital presence is extensive, with profiles on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, reflecting the enduring interest in his work. The sheer volume of his sitelinks (42 on Wikipedia) and the variety of his authority IDs (including ISNI, VIAF, and GND) underscore the comprehensive documentation of his life and career.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/percy-tyrone-sledge-1940-2015/)
2. BnF authorities
3. Integrated Authority File
4. Find a Grave
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. MusicBrainz
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. IMDb
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. CONOR.SI
11. BBC Things