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Percy Sledge performs at Hollywood Casino

The "Golden Voice of Soul," Percy Sledge was born in Leighton, Alabama. His father died when he was two months old. In his teens, he sang at the Galilee Baptist Church and in the cotton fields. Early on, he steeped in the country sounds of Jimmy Reed, Roy Acuff, and Hank Williams. He began performing with a five-man a cappella group, the Belltones, who won first place singing "The Banana Boat Song" at a contest sponsored by the Alabama A&M New Farmers of America.

In the early 1960's, Sledge worked as an orderly and later took on a construction job in 1965. Shortly before Christmas that year his girlfriend left him to move to Newark, New Jersey. "I didn't have any money to go after her, so there was nothing I could do to try to get her back," he later said. Days later he was laid off from his job. Although things seemed about as bad as they could get, Sledge pack up his tools and vowed to his co-workers that within six months he'll be back to buy a round of drinks after getting a record deal and his first hit record, and went on his way. Before the end of the day, a local group called the Esquire Combo asked him to sing with them on Christmas Eve, because their regular vocalist had laryngitis. Depressed, Sledge turned the offer down, but later changed his mind after negotiating a fifty-dollar fee. Later that night at the gig, he asked the band members to play something in any key. Out came the phrase "Why did you leave me, baby?" which would turn into "When a Man Loves a Women." "I really didn't think about it, It just came out," said Sledge.

Don't miss the Golden Voice of Soul himself, Percy Sledge! Hurry, limited seating is available. Tickets go on sale March 25th and may be purchased at Tokens Gift Shop starting at $19.95, or call 1-866-7- LUCKY-1 or (1-866-758-2591). Must be at least 21 to attend. Visit Hollywoodcasinobsl.com.

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