Sam Moore, the legendary R&B artist and one-half of the iconic soul duo Sam & Dave, has passed away at the age of 89. His publicist, Jeremy Westby, confirmed the news in a statement shared with Parade, revealing that Moore died on the morning of Friday, Jan. 10, at his home in Coral Gables, Florida, due to complications during his recovery from surgery. No additional details about his cause of death were immediately provided.
Moore was widely recognized as the tenor voice behind Sam & Dave, the 1960s duo he formed with the late Dave Prater. Together, they produced several R&B classics, including “Hold On, I’m Comin’” (1966) and “I Thank You” (1968). Their most iconic hit, “Soul Man,” released in 1967, became a timeless anthem and was later covered by artists like The Blues Brothers, Bruce Springsteen, and Prince.
Throughout the 1960s, Sam & Dave received four Grammy nominations, winning Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance at the 10th Annual Grammy Awards for “Soul Man.” The duo parted ways in 1970, and Prater tragically died in a car accident in 1988.
Sam & Dave were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. Moore also received the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, solidifying his legacy in music history.
Following Moore’s passing, his publicist shared a tribute via LinkedIn, writing, “The music world mourns the loss of the legendary Soul Man, Sam Moore. A Grammy winner and an early Rock Hall of Fame inductee, Sam Moore has left behind a legacy that will resonate with fans forever. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Moore is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Joyce Moore, his daughter, Michell, and two grandchildren.
