Soul Icon Sam Moore Passes Away at 89

Sam Moore’s Passing

Sam Moore, the last surviving half of the legendary soul duo Sam & Dave, has passed away at the age of 89.

The news was confirmed by his publicist Jeremy Westby, who announced that Moore died on Friday (Jan. 10) due to complications while recovering from surgery.

Musical Legacy

With Dave Prater sharing his gospel roots, the duo produced some of soul’s most significant hits during their tenure at Stax Records. Their 1965 single “You Don’t Know Like I Know,” released in Memphis, marked the beginning of ten consecutive top twenty R&B Billboard hits, including “Hold On! I’ll Come,” “When Something’s Wrong with My Baby,” “I Thank You,” and “Soul Man.”

The latter enjoyed a resurgence ten years after its initial release when Blues Brothers John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd re-recorded it.

Moore reportedly had mixed feelings about the hit becoming linked with Saturday Night Live stars, feeling unhappy that the younger generation regarded this classic as a Blues Brothers original.

He later penned “Dole Man,” inspired by his biggest hit, for Republican Bob Dole’s 1996 presidential campaign. In 2017, he was among a select group of artists to perform at Republican President Donald Trump’s inaugural ceremony. A few years prior, Moore had voiced his objections to Barack Obama’s campaign utilizing “Hold On, I’m Comin.”

Challenges and Influence

Moore spent significant time entangled in legal disputes throughout his life, particularly tussling with Prater after he hired a replacement and toured under the name New Sam & Dave. He had a notoriously tumultuous relationship with his late bandmate, who tragically passed away in a car accident in Georgia in 1988.

Additionally, Moore joined several other artists in suing various record labels and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists in 1993. In 1994, the soul icon told the Associated Press that he became involved in the legal proceedings after discovering that, despite selling millions of records, his pension amounted to only $2,285.

“Two thousand dollars for my entire life?” Moore remarked at the time. “If you profit from me, give me some too. Don’t give me cornbread and tell me it’s cookies.”

His era-defining sound is credited with influencing artists like Michael Jackson, Al Green, and Bruce Springsteen, who featured Moore on their 2022 soul covers album, Only The Strong Survive.

Moore is survived by his wife Joyce, daughter Michell, and two grandchildren.