Steven Van Zandt, Chuck D, More Pay Tribute to Soul Legend

Moore died Friday morning at his home in Coral Gables, Fla. at the age of 89. Moore’s wife and manager, Joyce Moore, confirmed the singer’s death to Rolling Stone. Moore had had unspecified surgery earlier in the week, Joyce told Rolling Stone. Moore’s rep, Jeremy Westby, said the cause of death was complications recovering from that surgery.

As one half of Stax Records’ preeminent vocal duo, Moore and Dave Prater helped propel Stax Records to its status as one of the greatest soul music labels of all time with singles like “Soul Man” and “Hold On! I’m Comin,’” both of which were penned by Isaac Hayes.

Hayes’ estate extended “our heartfelt condolences to the family of Sam Moore, of Sam & Dave,” they wrote on social media Saturday. “Sam’s voice was a powerful force of nature and unforgettable. He brought Isaac’s songs like Hold On, I’m Comin’, Soul Man, and many others to life.” 

Sam and Dave were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 by Billy Joel. “Sam Moore helped bring the sounds of the Black gospel church to pop music,” the Rock Hall wrote Friday. 

“A cornerstone act for Stax Records, Sam & Dave are the most successful soul duo in history, and their signature call-and-response delivery resulted in such classics as ‘Soul Man,’ ‘Hold On, I’m Comin,’ ‘I Thank You,’ and more. Following Sam & Dave, Moore added his unmistakable tenor vocal to recordings by the likes of Don Henley, Lou Reed, and Bruce Springsteen.”