'Soul singer' Percy Sledge passes away at 74

American RandB and soul singer Percy Sledge has passed away. He was 74.

Steve Green of Artists International Management Inc confirmed that the singer took his last breath at his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, adding that Sledge was a "terrific person and truly a standout," the BBC reported.

The singer, who had had a surgery for liver cancer in 2014, had made his debut with 'When a Man Loves a Woman,' which had claimed rank in the top 10 twice in the UK and topped the US Billboard chart for 2 weeks in 1966.

The track again reached number 2 after it was re-released in the UK in 1987 post being featured in Oliver Stone's film 'Platoon,' and has been a part of many films since then. It remains, till date the singer's biggest hit."

People took to Internet to pay their respects to the star. BBC Radio 2 DJ Tony Blackburn wrote that he was "Sad to hear that Percy Sledge has died. I wonder how many times I've played When A Man Loves A Woman. RIP.

Musician Bootsy Collins wrote on Facebook, "Just lost another legend funkateers, Mr Percy Sledge," while Paul Gambacini said that 1966 song was "one of the all time classic songs with essence of soul, dripping with feeling."

Sledge, who was entered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, is survived by his wife and children.