Soul legend Sam Moore of Sam & Dave passes away at 89

Sam Moore, the legendary singer best known as one-half of the iconic soul duo Sam & Dave, has passed away at the age of 89. Moore died on January 10, 2025, due to complications while recovering from surgery. His death comes nearly four decades after that of his singing partner, Dave Prater, who tragically died in a car accident in 1988.

Born on October 12, 1935, in Miami, Moore began his singing journey in his local church. In the 1950s, he and Prater performed in various R&B clubs before officially joining forces in 1961. Together, they created a lasting legacy with their unique blend of gospel and R&B, delivering timeless hits such as “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I’m Comin’.”

Despite their musical success, tension grew between the duo in the 1970s, during which Moore battled a drug addiction. Their partnership was further strained when Prater began performing under the name The New Sam & Dave with a different partner, leading Moore to file a lawsuit. After Moore achieved sobriety, the original pair reunited for a final performance in 1981.



Following their split, Moore continued his career by performing on cruise ships and at oldies shows. The duo’s music saw a resurgence in popularity when it was celebrated by Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi in their Blues Brothers sketches on Saturday Night Live.

Moore remained active in music well into his later years. He collaborated with Bruce Springsteen on two tracks for Springsteen’s soul cover album and performed alongside country artists in a 2023 tribute to George Jones.

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