Tributes have poured in for singer Sam Moore, known for definitive 1960s hits Soul Man and Hold On, I’m Comin’ as one half of the duo Sam and Dave, has sadly passed away at the age of 89.
Publicist Jeremy Westby announced that Moore died on Friday, January 10 in Coral Gables, Florida, due to complications while recovering from surgery. No further details were provided
Born on October 12, 1935, in Miami, Moore’s musical journey began in the church, where he developed his passion for singing.
He and David Prater crossed paths in 1961, after both performing in clubs during the 1950s, and soon formed a dynamic partnership. Moore, who coached Prater on the lyrics of a song, helped the duo rise to local fame.
In 1965, after signing with Atlantic Records, producer Jerry Wexler sent them to the Stax subsidiary in Memphis, where they began to fuse the call-and-response style of gospel with an electrifying stage presence. The result was a string of soul hits that would stand the test of time, including You Don’t Know Like I Know, When Something is Wrong With My Baby, and I Thank You.
Despite their success, Moore and Prater’s partnership was strained by frequent arguments. In a 2006 interview with the Associated Press, Moore revealed that a drug addiction, which he overcame in 1981, contributed to the tension and made record executives hesitant to offer him a fresh start. After the duo split in 1970, neither artist experienced another major hit.
As news of Moore’s passing spread, fans and fellow music legends paid tribute, reflecting on his incredible career.
Moore is survived by his wife Joyce, daughter Michell, and two grandchildren.
-with AP.