Sam Moore, Singer of ‘Soul Man’ Duo Sam & Dave, Dies at 89

Sam Moore, renowned for his role in the musical duo Sam & Dave, passed away on Friday, January 10. He was 89 years old. His wife and longtime manager, Joyce Moor, confirmed to The New York Times that he died following surgery in Coral Gables, Florida.

Born in Miami on October 12, 1935, Moore entered the music scene in the late 1950s. His career began when he met his future collaborator, Dave Prater. The two musicians reconnected at the King of Hearts club in Miami in 1961 and swiftly formed their group. By 1964, their performances caught the attention of Atlantic Records, leading to a recording contract.

The 1960s marked a significant period for Sam & Dave, as they produced numerous R&B hits. Notable tracks like "Hold On, I’m Comin,’" "I Thank You," and "Soul Man" became anthems of the era. "Soul Man" achieved remarkable success, reaching No. 1 on several charts and winning a Grammy for best rhythm & blues group performance, vocal or instrumental, in 1967.

Although they parted ways in 1970, Moore recorded a solo album titled "Plenty Good Lovin’," released in 2002. The duo's sporadic collaborations occurred throughout their careers, often prompted by setbacks in their solo pursuits.

Moore reflected on their relationship in the book "Sam and Dave: An Oral History." According to Moore, "It was a duo, but it wasn’t a partnership." Their final performance together took place on New Year’s Eve in 1981 in San Francisco, after which they ceased all communication. During that period, both singers faced challenges, including heroin addiction.

With support from Joyce McRae, who later became his manager, Moore started taking part in anti-opiate trials and eventually admitted to his addiction publicly in 1983. He began to help others struggling with similar issues.

While Moore toured solo and shared the stage with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Prater formed a new partnership with Sam Daniels, continuing to use their previous duo’s name, despite Moore's disapproval. Sam & Dave were honored with an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Tragically, Prater passed away in a car accident six years later.

In 2019, the iconic duo received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in recognition of their contributions to music.

Sam Moore is survived by his wife, Joyce, their daughter Michelle, and grandchildren Tash and Misha.

Earlier, SSP wrote that Mark Zuckerberg loosened strict content moderation policies on Facebook and Instagram.