CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Sam Moore, renowned as one half of the iconic musical duo Sam & Dave, famously celebrated for timeless hits such as “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I’m Comin’,” has passed away at the age of 89.
Publicist Jeremy Westby confirmed that Moore died on Friday morning in Coral Gables, Florida, following complications from surgery. At this time, there are no further details regarding the circumstances of his death.
Moore’s voice and artistic talent earned him a wide array of admirers, including notable artists like Al Green and Bruce Springsteen. His contributions to music alongside partner Dave Prater were acknowledged when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
Springsteen expressed his sadness via Instagram, saying, “Over on E Street, we are heartbroken to hear of the death of Sam Moore, one of America’s greatest soul voices. He was filled with stories of the halcyon days of soul music, and until the end, his voice retained a depth of authenticity that left others in awe.”
At Stax Records, the pair emerged as leading figures, trailing only behind Otis Redding in popularity. They expertly infused the “call and response” of gospel music into their vibrant performances, producing enduring tracks such as “You Don’t Know Like I Know,” “When Something is Wrong With My Baby,” and “I Thank You.”
Most of their chart-topping songs were crafted by the illustrious songwriting and production duo of Isaac Hayes and David Porter, complemented by the legendary Stax house band Booker T. & the MGs. Notably, Moore famously called guitarist Steve Cropper to play during their upbeat rendition of “Soul Man.”
Despite their impact on the music scene in the 1960s, Sam & Dave’s popularity waned with the arrival of the 1970s. However, “Soul Man” saw a resurgence in popularity when the Blues Brothers, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, recorded it featuring many of the original musicians. Moore had mixed feelings regarding this revival, as he noted that younger audiences often mistakenly believed the Blues Brothers were the song’s originators.
In 2008, the movie “Soul Men” showcased characters suspiciously similar to Sam & Dave, which led to Moore losing a lawsuit that claimed the resemblance was too close. Additionally, he had a turbulent relationship with Prater, particularly when Prater continued to tour as the New Sam & Dave after hiring a replacement. Tragically, Prater died in a car accident in Georgia in 1988.
In 1993, Moore was part of a collective of artists who had legal disputes against record companies for what they believed to be unfair treatment regarding retirement benefits. Moore, who had achieved immense success with his music, was disheartened to learn that his pension amounted to just $2,285. “If you’re making a profit off of me, give me some too. Don’t give me cornbread and tell me it’s biscuits,” he asserted in a statement in 1994.
Beyond music, Moore took an interest in politics, famously writing “Dole Man” for Republican Bob Dole’s presidential campaign in 1996. He also performed at Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2017 despite previously disapproving of Barack Obama’s campaign using “Hold On, I’m Comin’.”
Born on October 12, 1935, in Miami, Moore began his musical journey singing in church. During the 1950s, he and Prater performed in various soul and R&B clubs, only crossing paths in Miami in 1961. Their collaboration quickly gained popularity, leading to a signing with Atlantic Records, where they were subsequently directed to Stax Records in Memphis by producer Jerry Wexler in 1965.
Moore and Prater frequently clashed during their partnership, with Moore admitting the influence of a drug habit, which he overcame in 1981. Their partnership ended in 1970, after which both struggled to find substantial success, though Moore maintained a close relationship with Springsteen, collaborating on various projects, including the spirited duet “Real World.”
Springsteen’s bandmate Steve Van Zandt honored Moore by stating, “RIP Sam Moore. He and Dave Prater were the inspiration for me and Johnny to start Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. An important, righteous, wonderful man.”
In 1982, Moore married Joyce, who played a pivotal role in helping him overcome addiction—a turning point he credited with saving his life. While reflecting on his journey, he shared the challenges of performing on cruise ships and at oldies shows, where he sometimes had to audition despite his previous fame, expressing, “But you know what? You keep your mouth shut and you get up there and you sing as hard and perform as hard as you can.”
Despite challenges, he continued to perform, often at prestigious events such as the Kennedy Center Honors, where he even sang for a number of U.S. presidents.
Moore is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce; daughter, Michell; and two grandchildren.
