Sam Moore, the legendary singer of the iconic hit "Soul Man" as part of the duo Sam & Dave, has passed away at the age of 89 due to complications following surgery.

 Moore, whose work inspired artists like Michael Jackson, Al Green, and Bruce Springsteen, was honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

 

Jan. 11, 2025, 6:54 PM GMT+6 

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Sam Moore, the legendary voice behind the iconic 1960s duo Sam & Dave, known for timeless hits like "Soul Man" and "Hold On, I’m Comin’," has passed away at the age of 89.

Moore died Friday morning in Coral Gables, Florida, due to complications during recovery from surgery, according to his publicist Jeremy Westby. No further details were provided.

As one of soul music's defining voices, Moore left a profound legacy that influenced generations of artists, including Michael Jackson, Al Green, and Bruce Springsteen. Alongside Dave Prater, Moore was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, cementing their place in music history.

At Memphis's Stax Records, Sam & Dave became second only to Otis Redding, revolutionizing gospel-inspired "call and response" into electrifying stage performances. They recorded enduring classics like "You Don’t Know Like I Know," "When Something Is Wrong With My Baby," and "I Thank You." Many of their hits were written by the legendary Isaac Hayes and David Porter, with Booker T. & the MGs providing instrumental backing. The band’s guitarist, Steve Cropper, even earned a famous shoutout in "Soul Man" with the phrase, “Play it, Steve!”

While Sam & Dave faded from the spotlight after the 1960s, "Soul Man" found renewed success in the late 1970s thanks to the Blues Brothers’ rendition. Moore had mixed feelings about the song’s association with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, noting that many younger fans mistakenly believed it originated with the comedy duo.

The duo's story inspired the 2008 movie "Soul Men," which Moore criticized as too closely resembling their real-life experiences. He also faced challenges with Prater, who toured with a replacement as “The New Sam & Dave” before dying in a car crash in 1988.

Moore spent much of his later life battling the music industry over retirement benefits, revealing in 1994 that his pension amounted to just $2,285. He sued several record companies, advocating for fair compensation for himself and other artists. “If you’re making a profit off of me, give me some too,” he said.

In 1996, Moore reworked "Soul Man" into "Dole Man" for Republican Bob Dole’s presidential campaign. He later performed at President Donald Trump’s 2017 inaugural festivities, despite expressing disapproval when Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign used "Hold On, I’m Comin’" without his consent.

Born on October 12, 1935, in Miami, Moore began singing in church. He met Prater in 1961, forming their iconic partnership after coaching him on a song. Their big break came in 1965 when Atlantic Records sent them to Stax in Memphis.

Behind the scenes, tensions and personal struggles marred their success. Moore, who overcame a drug addiction in 1981 with support from his wife Joyce, credited her with saving his life.

Following the duo’s breakup in 1970, Moore faced years of professional and personal challenges, including auditioning for oldies shows and even performing as an opening act for Elvis impersonators. “It was tough, but you get up there, perform as hard as you can, and keep going,” he reflected.

Moore remained active in his later years, performing at prestigious events like the Kennedy Center Honors and for U.S. presidents, including Obama.

Sam Moore’s music and legacy continue to resonate, reminding the world of his indelible contribution to soul music.