Sam Moore, the 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 rose to fame as part of Sam & Dave, dubbed "the greatest of all soul duos" by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The duo, formed with Dave Prater in 1961, achieved remarkable success after signing with Atlantic Records in 1964 and working with Stax Records.

Their collaboration with songwriters Isaac Hayes and David Porter produced numerous hits between 1965-1968, including:

• "Hold On, I'm Coming"
• "Soul Man"
• "I Thank You"
• "You Got Me Hummin'"
• "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby"

After Sam & Dave's initial split in 1970, Moore pursued a successful solo career and became a prominent anti-drug advocate following his own recovery from addiction. His 2006 album "Overnight Sensational" featured collaborations with artists like Sting, Mariah Carey, and Bruce Springsteen.

Beyond his musical achievements, Moore was a fierce advocate for artists' rights, regularly visiting Capitol Hill to support the American Music Fairness Act. He worked alongside his wife and business manager, Joyce McRae, until his death, fighting for fair royalties and pension payouts for musicians.

Moore's legacy extends beyond his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1992. He inspired the creation of The Blues Brothers and influenced countless artists across multiple genres during his six-decade career. His impact on soul music and artists' rights advocacy has left an indelible mark on the music industry.

Related Articles

Previous Articles