On January 10, 2025, Sam Moore, recognized for his powerful tenor voice in the soul duo Sam & Dave, passed away in Coral Gables, Florida. He was 89 years old. Joyce Moore, his wife and manager, confirmed his passing to Rolling Stone. The cause of death, following complications from surgery, is not yet known.

Moore and his partner Dave Prater played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of 1960s soul music. Known for their energetic performances, the duo, often referred to as “Double Dynamite” and the “Sultans of Sweat,” became one of the most successful rhythm-and-blues acts of the time. They worked with the Memphis-based Stax Records.

In 1968, Prater was arrested for the shooting of his girlfriend, Judith Gilbert, but was never prosecuted. Despite the incident, Moore decided to preserve their professional relationship, agreeing to continue performing with Prater. For the next 12 years, the duo shared stages but maintained separate personal lives.

Moore told The Independent in 2002, “I initiated the break-up. But I’ve seen very many more evil and abusive men than Dave. After the incident with the gun, I said to Dave, ‘Look, I’ll sing with you, but I’ll never talk to you again, ever.’ So for 12 years, we worked together, but our lives were completely separate.”

According to a Stax Records profile, although the duo seemed to communicate well on-stage, behind the scenes, their relationship was fraught. It was reported that they could hardly stand each other’s presence.

Before partnering with Prater, Moore admitted that he had worked as a pimp. The duo’s relationship was also strained by heavy drug use.

Moore, born in Miami, Florida, on October 12, 1935, began his musical journey in church, refining his vocal abilities on the southern gospel circuit. He met Prater in 1961 at Miami’s King of Hearts Club during an amateur night performance, which led to their collaboration.

After signing with Atlantic Records, the duo moved to Stax Records. There they worked with the renowned house band Booker T and the MG’s, and songwriters Isaac Hayes and David Porter. Their collaboration resulted in an impressive series of ten consecutive top 20 R&B hits, starting with “You Don’t Know Like I Know.”

Their most famous song, “Soul Man,” was released in 1967. It earned them a Grammy Award and achieved crossover success, reaching No. 2 on the pop charts. The song, reportedly inspired by the civil rights riots in Detroit, became an anthem during a period of racial unrest.

Despite their on-stage chemistry, their personal relationship was complex. The duo split in 1970, although they reunited intermittently until Prater’s death in a 1988 car accident. Moore experienced his own challenges, including battles with cocaine and heroin addiction, before achieving sobriety.

The duo’s dynamic performances influenced the music industry, aiding in bridging the gap between Black artists and white audiences. Their partnership resulted in several hits including “Hold On! I’m Comin'” and “I Thank You,” songs that would later inspire musicians like Michael Jackson and Al Green.

In his later career, Moore collaborated with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, and Mariah Carey. His contributions to music earned him numerous awards, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy in 2019. Moore performed for six U.S. presidents and continued to be an active voice in music and politics.

At the time of his death, Moore was working on a gospel album. He is survived by his wife Joyce, daughter Michelle, and two grandchildren.