Music Icon Who Inspired Michael Jackson and Bruce Springsteen Dies at 89 After Surgery Complications

Soul music legend Sam Moore, known for inspiring icons like Michael Jackson and Bruce Springsteen, has sadly passed away at the age of 89 due to complications following surgery. Moore’s publicist confirmed that the celebrated artist died on January 10, 2025, in Coral Gables, Florida.

Throughout his career, Sam Moore touched the lives of many prominent musicians, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry. His journey was not without challenges; he battled addiction in the 1980s but emerged as a strong advocate against drugs after finding support from his wife, Joyce Moore, whom he married in 1982.

Rock star Jon Bon Jovi, who collaborated with Moore on his 2006 solo album Overnight Sensational, took to social media to pay tribute, reflecting on the privilege of working alongside the “Soulman.” Bon Jovi expressed gratitude for the time spent with Moore, calling him one of the greatest singers in music history.

Born in Miami in 1935, Moore began his singing journey in church and local clubs. He teamed up with Dave Prater to form the duo Sam & Dave, which signed with Atlantic Records in 1964 and later became the biggest stars on the Stax Records label after Otis Redding. Their massive hits in the mid-1960s included classics such as Hold On! I’m Comin, When Something Is Wrong with My Baby, and the iconic Soul Man, which won a Grammy in 1968.

Though the duo’s fame waned after the 1960s, Soul Man saw a resurgence in the late 1970s when the Blues Brothers covered it.

In 1993, Moore was among several artists who sued record companies, claiming they were cheated out of retirement benefits. He revealed that his pension from years of chart-topping hits amounted to just $2,285, highlighting the often unseen struggles artists face in the industry.

Despite these challenges, Moore continued to write, perform, and share his talent with the world, gracing events like the Kennedy Center Honors and performing for several U.S. presidents, including Barack Obama.

Sam Moore leaves behind his beloved wife Joyce, daughter Michell, and two grandchildren, along with a legacy that will resonate in the music world for generations to come.