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Sam Moore of 60s soul duo Sam & Dave celebrates his 75th birthday today. Sam was born Samuel David Hicks on October 12, 1935 in Winchester, Georgia and began his career on the gospel music circuit in the 1950s. It was while working at a club in Miami in 1961 that he met Dave Prater and shortly after formed the duo Sam & Dave.

Sam & Dave had limited impact initially, with six singles failing to achieve national chart success, but their fortunes changed when they signed for Atlantic records in 1964. The pair were loaned to Stax records where they recorded some of the finest soul singles of the decade, including “Soul Man”, “Hold On, I’m Comin'”, “I Thank You”, “When Something is Wrong with My Baby” and “Wrap It Up.” The biggest hit was “Soul Man” which reached number one on the R&B chart and number two on the pop chart. It also received a Grammy for “Best Performance by a Rhythm & Blues Group.”

Sam & Dave – “Soul Man”

Despite having a number of hit singles and albums, and a highly rated live show, Sam Moore and Dave Prater had a poor relationship which led to a number of temporary break ups in the 1970s and the eventual dissolution of the duo in 1981.

Sam Moore has continued to perform as a solo artist since Sam & Dave broke up and has collaborated with many artists on record and on stage, including Lou Reed, Huey Lewis & the News, Booker T. & the MGs, Wilson Pickett, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey and Jon Bon Jovi. A number of fine collaborations are included on his 2006 album “Overnight Sensational“, which was nominated for a Grammy.

Moore remains a gifted live performer. His most high profile recent live appearance was on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th anniversary concert held at Madison Square Garden last October. Sam raised the roof with his excellent duets with Springsteen on “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I’m Comin’.”

Happy Birthday Sam Moore.

Title
Sam & Dave – The Platinum Collection (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Sam Moore – Overnight Sensational (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
The 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Concerts (3 DVDs)	Buy Now	N/A	Buy Now	Buy Now