Sam Moore, best known as one half of the seminal duo Sam & Dave, has died. The soul singer passed away on Friday morning (January 10) in Coral Gables, Florida due to complications while recovering from surgery. Mr. Moore was 89 years old.
Born in Miami in 1935, Moore began singing gospel in church and performed with gospel quarters such as The Gales and The Millionaires. He met Dave Prater, who was also an experienced gospel singer, at Miami’s King of Hearts Club in 1961, and the two signed to Atlantic Records in 1964. “I’m Comin,” “You Got Me Hummin,” “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby,” “Soul Man,” and “I Thank You” were written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter. Sam and Dave broke up in 1970, but last performed together in 1981. Prater tragically died in a car accident in 1988.
Moore continued to pursue a solo career after the duo’s initial breakup. He recorded his first solo album, Plenty Good Lovin’He collaborated on records with iconic musicians such as Aretha Franklin, Betty Wright, Bernard Purdy, and Chuck Rainey. In 2006, he followed up: sensational overnightJon Bon Jovi, Fantasia, Sting, Sheila E, Mariah Carey, and Bruce Springsteen performed.
In 1992, Sam and Dave were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Moore was also a member of the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Vocal Groups Hall of Fame.
