American Soul Singer Sam Moore, who performed as one half of the Grammy-winning R&B duo Sam & Dave, has died at the aged 89.
Moore passed away in Coral Gables, Florida after suffering complications from a surgery. He first showed a talent for music while singing in church, and later became the MC at King O’ Hearts Club in Miami.
The hit-maker was known for his ’60s-era chart toppers “Soul Man”, “I Thank You”, and Hold On I am coming.
Sam & Dave were discovered in 1964 and signed to Atlantic Records via the label’s southern subset, Stax Records. Moore went on to perform regularly at the Kennedy Center, taking the stage to entertain for six presidents: Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
Moore returned to music with 2006’s Overnight Sensational, which boasted A-list collaborators Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi and Sting, among others. It was produced by American Idol’s Randy Jackson.
They produced a slew of hits, gaining international recognition, and were even asked to perform at Martin Luther King Jr.’s memorial concert at Madison Square Garden in 1968. They split just a couple of years later in 1970.
Sam was nominated for a Grammy for his Billy Preston duet You Are So Beautiful. He was added to the list of performers for President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural events in 2017.
He signed on to perform at the Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC after Jennifer Holliday bowed out of performing due to backlash.
At the time of his death, he was collaborating with Rudy Perez on a gospel album he planned to dedicate to his mother.
The icon is survived by wife of 42 years, Joyce McRae, daughter Michelle and grandchildren Tash and Misha.
