Soul Singer Sam Moore Dead At 89

The renowned soul singer Sam Moore, who was half of the renowned combo Sam & Dave, died at the age of 89. Entertainment reporter Roger Friedman broke the news, stating that Moore passed away due to “complications recovering from surgery.”

Born in Miami in 1935, Moore started his career singing gospel before teaming up with Dave Prater in 1961. That fateful partnership gave birth to one of soul music’s most celebrated duos, and by 1965, they had their first hit with “You Don’t Know Like I Know.” What followed was a string of timeless hits, including “Hold On! I’m Comin’,” “Soul Man,” and “I Thank You.”

A Rocky Partnership and Personal Battles

The relationship between Sam and Dave was anything but harmonious behind the music. Due to their erratic relationship, the two parted ways in 1970 and went their separate ways. Throughout his career, Moore struggled with heroin addiction. He once acknowledged that he was frequently “in my apartment putting a needle into my arm” when he was meant to be recording, reflecting on those difficult moments.

Moore’s career took an unexpected turn in the late 1970s when the Blues Brothers, played by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, performed “Soul Man” on Saturday Night Live. The moment reignited interest in Sam & Dave’s music. ZZ Top’s 1979 cover of “I Thank You” further cemented their resurgence.

Capitalizing on this renewed attention, Sam & Dave reunited, performing together until their final, contentious split on New Year’s Eve in 1981. Speaking about their falling out, Moore revealed in a 2002 interview, “When I left him in 1981, I told him I wanted to get off [drugs]… But he was so hurt he went and got an impostor and called it Sam & Dave. Word got out that I was dead or had throat cancer or that I had retired.” The two never reconciled before Prater’s death in 1988.

Moore’s Musical Legacy

Moore turned his life around, overcoming his addiction and earning immense respect from a new generation of artists. Sam & Dave were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, a testament to their enduring influence. That same year, Moore contributed to Bruce Springsteen’s Human Touch album.

Moore’s critically acclaimed CD Plenty Good Lovin, which he had recorded with King Curtis decades previously, was eventually published in 2002. In 2006, he released Overnight Sensational, which had a stellar roster that included Mariah Carey, Eric Clapton, and Sting. Future generations will undoubtedly continue to be inspired by Moore’s deep voice and significant musical achievements.