Sam MooreOne half of the duo Sam and Dave died in the 1960s. He was 89 years old.
According to Moore's rep, the late singer — best known for songs like “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I'm Comin' — He died on Friday morning in Coral Gables, Florida, due to complications while recovering from surgery.
His singing partner, Dave Prater, died in a car accident in 1988.
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Moore died on Friday. He was 89 years old. (Getty Images)
The soul and R&B duo performed together for nearly two decades starting in the early 1960s. Known for their high energy and gospel-infused performances, the duo became an influence on a number of artists including Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen, among others.
In the 1980s, the Blues Brothers – comedians Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi – put soul and blues music back on the map after covering Sam and Dave's “Soul Man” on Saturday Night Live. They often praised Sam & Dave during their work as well.
Moore was born on October 12, 1935 in Miami, Florida and began his singing career in church.
Moore battled drug addiction in the 1970s. (Getty Images)
He and Prater performed in soul and R&B clubs in the 1950s, but didn't meet until 1961 in Miami, according to news agency.
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The duo's relationship was controversial towards the end of their career. 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 struggled with drug addiction throughout the 1970s, which eventually affected his career. His wife, Joyce, helped him get treatment for his addiction. After finding sobriety, Moore began accepting jobs he never expected.
“I've done a lot of cruise ships, done a lot of old-time shows,” he once told the AP.
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“It's funny to think back on it 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 keep your mouth shut and you get up there and sing and perform as hard as you can, get a little money and get on with your job and try to pay those bills. I laugh about it now, but at the time, it was really serious.”
Moore is survived by his wife, Joyce, his daughter, Michelle, and two grandchildren.
