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Sam Moore of Sam & Dave Dies at 89 After Surgery Complications; 'Soul Man' Singer Was Rock & Roll Hall of Famer

Jan 11, 2025, 05:23 AM

Sam Moore, the tenor half of the iconic soul duo Sam & Dave, known for hits like 'Soul Man,' 'Hold On, I'm Comin',' and 'I Thank You,' has died at the age of 89. Moore passed away in Coral Gables, Florida, due to complications following surgery. The duo, which rose to fame in the 1960s at Stax Records, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Sam & Dave's music, which included songs written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter and featured the backing of Booker T. & the MGs, influenced artists such as Michael Jackson, Al Green, and Bruce Springsteen. Moore's career also saw him perform at the Kennedy Center and for multiple U.S. presidents, including Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. He struggled with drug addiction in the 1970s but was helped by his wife, Joyce McRae, who became his manager and advocate. The song 'Soul Man' saw a resurgence in popularity when it was covered by the Blues Brothers in the late 1970s.