Sam Moore, legendary soul singer and one half of Sam & Dave, passed away at age 89 in Coral Gables, Florida, due to post-surgery complications. His death was confirmed by his representative, Jeremy Westby.

Photo Credit: Sam Moore by Gage Skidmore / CC by 2.0

Born on October 12, 1935, in Miami, Moore began his musical journey in church choirs before forming the iconic duo Sam & Dave with Dave Prater in 1961. After signing with Atlantic Records in 1964 and working with Stax Records, the duo achieved remarkable success, releasing multiple Top 20 Billboard R&B hits between 1965 and 1968, including:

• "Hold On, I'm Coming" (1966)
• "Soul Man" (1967)
• "I Thank You" (1968)
• "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby" (1967)

Their success was amplified by collaborations with the songwriting team of Isaac Hayes and David Porter, backed by Booker T & The MG's and the Memphis Horns. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recognized them as "the greatest of all soul duos" during their 1992 induction.

After Sam & Dave's initial split in 1970, Moore pursued a successful solo career. He overcame drug addiction in the 1980s with help from his wife Joyce McRae, who became his business manager and partner in advocating for artists' rights. His later work included the 2006 album "Overnight Sensational," featuring collaborations with artists like Sting, Mariah Carey, and Bruce Springsteen.

Moore remained active in the music industry until his death, championing artists' rights and fair compensation. The musicFIRST Coalition praised him as "the original 'Soul Man'" and a fierce advocate for artists' rights throughout his six-decade career.

His legacy spans not only his musical achievements but also his influence on popular culture, including inspiring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi's Blues Brothers. Moore's commitment to artists' rights and his contribution to soul music will continue to influence future generations.

Related Articles

Previous Articles