Sam MooreOne half of the sixties duo Sam & Dave has died. He was 89.
According to Moore’s rep, the late singer – best known for hits such as ‘Soul Man’ and ‘Hold On, I’m Comin’ – died Friday morning in Coral Gables, Florida, due to complications during recovery from surgery.
His singing partner Dave Prater died in a car accident in 1988.
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Moore died Friday. He was 89. (Getty Images)
The soul and R&B duo performed together for almost twenty years from the early 1960s. Best known for their energetic and gospel-infused performances, the duo became an influence for a number of artists including Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and more.
In the 1980s, the Blues Brothers – comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi – put soul and blues back on the map after a cover of Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man” on ‘Saturday Night Live’. They also often paid tribute to Sam and Dave during their act.
Moore was born on October 12, 1935 in Miami, Florida and began his singing career in church.
Moore struggled with drug addiction in the 1970s. (Getty Images)
He and Prater performed in soul and R&B clubs in the 1950s, but did not meet until 1961 in Miami. Associated press.
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The duo had a controversial relationship towards the end of their run. Moore sued Prater after Prater began touring with a new bandmate as New Sam & Dave, according to the AP.
Sam & Dave started their career in the 1960s. (Getty Images)
Moore battled drug addiction throughout the 1970s, which ultimately affected his career. His wife, Joyce, helped him get treatment for his addiction. After finding sobriety, Moore began taking jobs he never expected.
“I’ve done a lot of cruise ships, I’ve done a lot of oldies shows,” he once told the AP.
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“That’s funny to think about now. And I’ve done a lot of shows where, if I did a show with an old show, I had to actually audition,” he said. “But you know what? You shut your mouth and you go up there and sing as loud and perform as loud as you can, and get the little money and go about your business and try to pay those bills. I’m I can I laugh about it now, but at the time, man, it was really serious.”
Moore is survived by his wife Joyce, daughter Michell and two grandchildren.
