Sam Moore, one-half of the legendary soul group Sam & Dave, known for their iconic hits including “Soul Man” and “Hold On I’m Coming,” has died at the age of 89.
According to Roger Friedman of Showbiz 411, Moore passed away on Friday, January 10th due to complications from a recent surgery.
A native of Miami, Moore began singing in his local church and briefly considered pursuing a career in gospel music. However, he had a change of heart after seeing Jackie Wilson perform in concert and shifted his focus to pop and soul. He met future collaborator, Dave Prater, at a talent show, and together they began recording music as Sam & Dave. By 1965, the duo signed a record contract with Atlantic Records and were subsequently “loaned out” to Stax Records, through which they released their biggest hits. In 1968, Sam & Dave appeared at Martin Luther King, Jr.’s memorial concert at Madison Square Garden.
Sam & Dave were frequently backed by an all-star studio ensemble featuring Isaac Hayes with Booker T and the MGs and The Memphis Horns. Hayes and David Porter also penned a majority of the duo’s music.
The duo split in 1970, with Moore pursuing a solo career. However, following the death of his producer, King Curtis in 1971, the release of his debut album was permanently shelved. Sam & Dave briefly reunited in the late 1970s, but disbanded for good in 1982. Prater died two years later in a car crash.
In 1992, Sam & Dave were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during their first year of eligibility. In the years that followed, the duo was also honored with an induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
After overcoming a crippling heroin addiction, Moore finally found recognition as a solo artist when his long shelved album, Plenty Good Lovin′, was released in 2002 to critical acclaim. He released a follow-up record, 2006’s Overnight Sensational, featuring collaborations with Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Bon Jovi, and more.
Moore had remained active in recent years, including collaborating with Springsteen on two songs featured on his 2023 soul covers album, Only the Strong Survive.