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There’s a flood of tributes to R&B legend Sam Moore, who died Friday at age 89. Sam had friends in every part of the music world who respected and loved him. They all cite him as an influence in their careers.
Bruce Springsteen wrote: “Over on E Street, we are heartbroken to hear of the death of Sam Moore, one of America’s greatest soul voices. There simply isn’t another sound like Sam’s soulful tenor in American music. Having had the honor to work with Sam on several occasions, he was a sweet and funny man. He was filled with stories of the halcyon days of soul music, and to the end had that edge of deep authenticity in his voice I could only wonder at. We offer our prayers to his wife Joyce and thanks for the immortal recordings Sam left us. God bless.”
Stevie van Zandt: “RIP Sam Moore. One of the last of the great Soul Men. Him and Dave Prater were the inspiration for me and Johnny to start Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. An important righteous wonderful man.”
Jon Bon Jovi: “Sam Moore, the Soulman, one of the pioneers and greatest singers ever has left us.. I’m not saddened as much as I felt incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to be in his presence. Having had the opportunity to perform and even record with Sam was humbling and an honor But knowing that I convinced Dorothea to come on what was our first date to see Sam and Dave In the spring of 1980 at the Fast Lane in Asbury park was one of my fondest memories.. Sending my luv to his wonderful wife Joyce And imagining that heaven sounds a little better with the voice of an Angel Much luv Soulman”
The Estate of Isaac Hayes: “The Estate of Isaac Hayes extends our heartfelt condolences to the family of Sam Moore, of Sam & Dave. 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. Rest well Sam.”
Bootsy Collins:
“Danggit, I just found out my good friend & life long pioneer/Legend Mr. Sam Moore of Sam & Dave has changed frequencies.
Samuel David Moore (Oct. 12, 1935 – January 10, 2025) was an American singer who was best known as a member of the soul and R&B duo Sam & Dave from 1961 to 1981. He is a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame (for “Soul Man”), the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. (R.I.P. my Brother)”
In Memoriam: Sam Moore – As half of the Memphis soul powerhouse Sam & Dave, 1992 Inductee Sam Moore helped bring the sounds of the Black gospel church to pop music. A cornerstone act for Stax Records, Sam & Dave are the most successful soul duo in history, 1/2 pic.twitter.com/l9nnndeg7z
I know there's so much heartbreak and devastation going on in southern California right now, but I have to share the passing of Sam Moore. The original soul man has left us to join his many brothers and sisters in the afterlife. This once in a lifetime experience i had rehearsing… pic.twitter.com/UT20GwZNis
I don’t know if yall reading this even know how Sam Moore ( Sam and Dave) part of my life soundtrack. Rest In Beats Mr Sam . pic.twitter.com/2KpbMxSsPw
A couple of years ago, small studio A24 managed to hypnotize enough Academy voters to get the Oscar for “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Most voters didn’t like it, but there was momentum. Also there were hot dog fingers.
This season A24 has a three prong attack for awards season. But that’s been reduced to two as Luca Guadgnino’s “Queer” — starring Daniel Craig — has disappeared from the theaters. The last time numbers were reported for “Queer” was before Christmas. The total so far is about @2.8 million, plus another $1 million internationally. “Queer” was no “Brokeback Mountain.”
The studio has had more luck with Nicole Kidman’s steamy “Babygirl.” The sex-fueled psychological character study is up to $21 million in three weeks, and shows no sign of flagging. Kidman is superb as a buttoned up CEO who takes a walk on the wild side. She’s won some awards already and may get an Oscar nomination (she should). “Babygirl” is pulling an audience to the theaters.
Then there’s “The Brutalist.” Brady Corbet’s epic three and a half hour original story won the Golden Globe last week for Best Motion Picture, Drama. Adrien Brody won Best Actor, and is headed into the Oscar race. Brody got a SAG nomination. The movie did not, which means hypnosis has not worked.
“The Brutalist” is brutal. It soars and then crashes. After four weeks of limited release, the total is $2.7 million. A couple of theaters in Manhattan have sold out. In other places, “The Brutalist” is being ignored. It’s not not going to win Best Picture because it does not have hot dog fingers. “Wicked,” “Conclave,” “Anora,” “A Complete Unknown” are all actual enjoyable, which is going to figure heavily in this tumultuous time.
As for “Queer,” there’s a rumor it’s coming to pay-for streaming this week. After that, it heads to HBO and Max. Whatever is cost — $20 million maybe with Craig taking a big paycut — it’s a write off. The only success of it was getting the former James Bond his first Oscar nomination (it’s coming) as well as accolades from the CCA, Globes and BAFTA. So, mission accomplished.
One question on everyone in Hollywood’s minds: what happens to awards season?
With the wildfires still not contained, and devastation just being calculated, it seems impossible that one day soon we’ll see gowns and tuxedos prancing down red carpets. Is that even possible?
Right now the Critics Choice Awards are set for January 26th, rescheduled already from the 12th. The event takes place in Santa Monica Airport’s Barker Hanger. So far plans have not been changed. But the date swap was made before anyone knew how bad things would get.
Next comes the Grammy Awards, set for February 2nd at the Staples Center, far away from the fires in downtown LA. There’s word that the Grammys will be rescheduled or altered to acknowledge the tragedy that has occurred. The Grammys are more complicated to produce than the Critics Choice. They involve hundreds of musicians and technicians. So a decision is no doubt forthcoming quickly.
The meteorologists say the worst of the fires should be resolving by the end of this week. But then reality is going to set in for the thousands of people who’ve lost their homes and have nowhere to go. Hair and makeup will not be a consideration. That may spell trouble for the SAG Awards and the Oscars, which are right around the cotner.
Certainly there will lapel pins and clipped on ribbons. Hollywood loves a good pin. But there may also have to be charitable components to raise millions for people not far from the red carpet struggling to deal with the aftermath. There can’t just be pageants in the middle of misery.
Look for the Grammy announcement the soonest. At least the Grammys and Musicares have already pledged $1 million in assistance. But we’re waiting for the rock stars to kick in funds the way actors like Jamie Lee Curtis already have done.
The last time Ringo Starr had a number 1 album was in 1973, with the Richard Perry produced “Ringo” album.
Since then, Ringo has released a lot of records, some good, some okay. But no smashes.
Now Ringo, the beloved drummer of The Beatles, has a number 1 album on Amazon.com today. “Look Up” is also number 4 on iTunes.
Ringo is 84, and hasn’t released a whole new album since 2019. He has given us several EPs of four songs each. If you listen the Beatles channel on Sirius XM, they are very good at curating the best tracks from all his work– and there are always surprises.
“Look Up” is a sensational idea. It’s mostly written and produced by T Bone Burnett. There’s a smattering of young country stars like Billy Springs and Molly Tuttle. Burnett has done what Perry did 50 years ago — he’s built a place for Ringo’s voice to rest comfortably in his arrangements. This is also what George Martin did for Ringo, and George Harrison on songs he wrote for Ringo like “It Don’t Come Easy” and “Photograph.”
The title track is the first single. It could easily find a home on country radio. “Look Up” is a typical Ringo solo song, a mid tempo rocker. But with Molly Tuttle on vocals, and steel guitars wailing away, Ringo seems energized (not like he’s not always enthusiastic). Burnett has given him a lot to chew on.
The song could land Ringo on country radio is “Time on My Hands.” It’s just the sort of plaintive cry that makes for great western music. I’m also really digging the tracks featuring Billy Strings. One of his three contributions, “Rosetta,” with Larkin Poe is a lovely bluesy bit that sticks in the ear.
The final track is Ringo’s own “Thankful,” with Allison Kraus. A perfect album ender, it’s a Ringo memoir in which he describes succinctly his career– from his huge run through the mid 70s, his recovery in the 80s, and triumph for the last 30 years. Again, the band assembled by T Bone Burnett just kills on all these songs, making Ringo’s foray into country totally authentic.
I am heartbroken to report that the Legendary Soul Man, Sam Moore, my friend for 25 years, passed away this morning in Coral Gables, Florida. He was 89. The cause of death was complications recovering from surgery.
Sam — with his trademark tenor that distinctively rose through every song he performed — was half of the Grammy winning duo Sam & Dave of the 1960s. Their sensational run of hits included “Soul Man,” “Hold On I’m Coming,” “I Thank You,” and many more. Sam & Dave were inducted into the Rock and Roll of Fame in 1992.
Sam was born in 1935 and grew up in Miami’s Overtown and Liberty City neighborhoods. Sam began singing in church. Sam Cooke heard him and thought Moore would be a perfect replacement for him as the lead in the gospel group The Soul Stirrers. The night before he was due to leave for Chicago and be fitted for his stage clothes and join the group, he went to the Nightbeat and saw Jackie Wilson perform. Sam realized he wanted to sing pop, not gospel professionally like Jackie and struck out on his own. He became the singing MC and talent show host at the King O’ Hearts Club. There he met Dave Prater, a local baker who tried out for the club’s talent show. Stage magic led the formation of the duo.
The legendary Steve Alamo was attending medical school at the University of Miami and playing gigs with his cover band as the opening act for Sam & Dave. He took them into the studio and recorded their first half a dozen songs which wound up in the hands of Henry Stone and TK Records. Sam & Dave’s manager, Johnny LoMelo, did not approve of Henry Stone’s involvement and insisted Henry hand over all master recordings to Morris Levy and his company Roulette Records.
Ahmet Ertegun, Tom Dowd and Jerry Wexler from Atlantic Records, saw Sam & Dave in late 1964 at the King O’ Hearts where they had become locally famous. In 1965 they were signed to Atlantic Records and the rest is music history. Jerry Wexler loaned the duo to Atlantic’s southern production arm, Stax Records. They were introduced to Isaac Hayes and David Porter. What followed was a string of hits and international stardom. Sam & Dave were so revered that they were among the few stars who were asked to perform at Martin Luther King, Jr.’s memorial concert at Madison Square Garden in 1968. Sam was a long time supporter of Dr. King.
The duo broke up in 1970. Shortly after, Sam was re-signed to Atlantic and recorded his solo album, produced by King Curtis with Donnie Hathaway and even Aretha Franklin on piano as guest artists. King Curtis was murdered on August 13, 1971, the album was completed but Wexler chose to shelf the album, depriving Sam of his solo career launch. Sam reunited with Dave for a few years in the late 1970’s breaking up for good New Years Eve 1982 at Bill Graham’s Old Waldorf in San Francisco. Sam struggled with heroin addiction after being introduced to the drug by Little Willie John in the early 1960’s. Sam and his wife, Joyce, recounted his drug use later in an oral history written by Dave Marsh and in my documentary with DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus called “Only the Strong Survive.”
The 70’s, however, were not all bad news. Thanks to Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi’s cover of “Soul Man,” performed as The Blues Brothers on “Saturday Night Live” there was renewed interest in the duo’s music, look, and athletic dancing.
Sam married Joyce McRae in 1982, who became his manager and advocate. While the FDA and NIDA were conducting clinical trials of the anti-opiate Naltrexane which blocks the opiate receptors in the brain, Joyce was able to get Sam into the program and saved him from a death due to heroin addiction. Joyce gives full credit to what she calls a God-wink, and Sam began a celebrated solo career.
Over the years, Sam became a mainstay performer at the Kennedy Center. He performed for six presidents — Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. At Dan Aykroyd’s 50th birthday, Sam performed with Clinton, who played the saxophone to accompany him. He also performed for Barack Obama at the White House.
More than once, Bruce Springsteen loudly and proudly introduced Sam as “The greatest living soul singer on the planet!” Springsteen invited him to sing on his “Human Touch” album, and again in 2023 on his collection of R&B covers (also called “Only the Strong Survive”). When the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame celebrated its 25th birthday at Madison Square Garden, Springsteen featured Sam to much fanfare.
Moore was also a vocal advocate for the rights of performers. With his wife, he testified often in Washington for a performer’s royalty on records played on AM & FM radio. This has still not been resolved by Congress. Sam has said it would be life-changing money for himself, his peers and every American phono recording artist whose music is played on AM/FM radio and worldwide. All other countries who collect on behalf of artists including Americans, do not pay any collected broadcast performance royalties due to lack of reciprocity. (Only songwriters and publishers get paid from airplay on the radio.) Sam was passionate about the subject.
Sam’s legacy as a solo artist was cemented when he was finally able to recover and release the King Curtis album, “Plenty Good Loving,” in 2002. It was met with four star reviews. Both Ertegun and Wexler publicly regretted not having initially released it. In 2006, Sam made a triumphant return with his first album in thirty years, “Overnight Sensational,” which featured Springsteen, Sting, Bon Jovi and a galaxy of other stars produced by American Idol’s Randy Jackson. He was nominated for a Grammy Award with Billy Preston on their duet of “You Are So Beautiful.” He was welcomed, as always, to the David Letterman show, the Tonight Show, and all the morning shows.
In recent years, Sam received a Special Merit Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys. He also continued to perform on a steady basis until the pandemic. His voice was heard recently on a Starbucks commercial featuring the Sam & Dave version of “Hold On I’m Coming.” He was often asked to perform at high-profile prestigious occasions. For example: Aretha Franklin asked him to sing at the funeral for her sister, singer Erma Franklin. Eddie Murphy requested Sam to perform at his Kennedy Center Mark Twain award.
Sam and Joyce came into my life in 1999 when we were planning “Only the Strong Survive.” They immediately became extended family, and vice versa. They even came to my parents’ 50th anniversary dinner years ago. We celebrated Sam’s 80th birthday in style nine years ago in Washington, DC. I haven’t had a birthday in 25 years that wasn’t marked by the dulcet sound of Sam singing to me over the phone either from Scottsdale, where the Moores lived for a long time, or Miami.
Only a few people come into your life who absolutely change it for the better. In mine, Sam Moore is in that group. We laughed, and cried, and gossiped. I was lucky enough to accompany him and Joyce on dozens of shows over the years. Every outing was an adventure the memories of which I treasure. As a kid I had revered Sam & Dave, so to become friends was a joy that cannot be described.
Condolences to Joyce, their daughter Michelle, and grandchildren Tash, and Misha. To say Sam will be much missed is an understatement. Sam never stopped recording. He was working on a gospel album with Rudy Perez dedicated to his mother. Sam’s voice remained intact. It was an extraordinary instrument he knew was a gift from God and gifted to the finest human being.
The war between Timothee Chalamet and Adrien Brody was just knocked up a notch.
Timmy will host and be the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live” January 25th. He’ll be bringing it all home that night performing his Bob Dylan songs from “A Complete Unknown.”
This may beat Adrien’s recent CBS Sunday Morning profile. Or his shirtless pose on New York Magazine.
I’ve heard Chalamet has a “60 Minutes” feature coming, too.
The Oscar competition between Chalamet and Brody is certainly making the race more interesting this year. On the actress side, Demi Moore has the lead unless one of her fellow nominees challenges her. Maybe Mikey Madison. And watch Best Supporting Actress: Jamie Lee Curtis is coming up hard on the outside for “The Last Showgirl.”
For the January 18th segment of “SNL,” Dave Chappelle will host, and Glorilla will be musical guest.
Lorne Michaels is kicking up the heat before the show’s 50th anniversary, that’s for sure!
The Daily Show last night perfectly explained what was going at Jimmy Carter’s funeral among the VIPS.
Trump and Melania were put on aisle. Melania looked like a wreck. Trump, who never takes off his overcoat, was seated next to Barack Obama, who spent the whole time treating him like a child with ADHD.
On the other side of Obama were the Clintons and the Bushes. George Bush snubbed Trump when he shook hands with Obama. Mike Pence shook Trump’s hand, staring daggers at him. Karen Pence snubbed him. Trump glowered at Kamala Harris and husband Doug, who were sitting in front of him.
Donald Trump was sentenced today in his hush money trial.
He was found guilty last year of paying adult movie star Stormy Daniels $130,000 for sex — while wife Melania was pregnant — and then covering it up. Total felonies: 34. Yesterday the Supreme Court went against him and ruled that he could be sentenced by Judge Juan Merchan even if there was no penalty.
Trump told the judge via video hook up that he’d been treated badly. “It was an injustice of justice,” he said. “I was treated very, very unfairly.”
Then he took to social media ranted, and lied about the case. (see below)
But nothing will change the facts. He’s the first US president to enter the White House with a sentence, and 34 felony convictions. It’s his main distinction among all US presidents. It will stick to him like velcro into the next century.
Judge Merchan said: “Never before has this court been presented with such a unique and remarkable set of circumstances. This has been truly an extraordinary case.” Merchan wished Trump “godspeed.”
I hope the judge writes a book soon.
Here’s what Donald had to say:
The Radical Democrats have lost another pathetic, unAmerican Witch Hunt. After spending tens of millions of dollars, wasting over 6 years of obsessive work that should have been spent on protecting New Yorkers from violent, rampant crime that is destroying the City and State, coordinating with the Biden/Harris Department of Injustice in lawless Weaponization, and bringing completely baseless, illegal, and fake charges against your 45th and 47th President, ME, I was given an UNCONDITIONAL DISCHARGE. That result alone proves that, as all Legal Scholars and Experts have said, THERE IS NO CASE, THERE WAS NEVER A CASE, and this whole Scam fully deserves to be DISMISSED. The real Jury, the American People, have spoken, by Re-Electing me with an overwhelming MANDATE in one of the most consequential Elections in History. As the American People have seen, this “case” had no crime, no damages, no proof, no facts, no Law, only a highly conflicted Judge, a star witness who is a disbarred, disgraced, serial perjurer, and criminal Election Interference. Today’s event was a despicable charade, and now that it is over, we will appeal this Hoax, which has no merit, and restore the trust of Americans in our once great System of Justice. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
The Recording Academy — aka the Grammys – and Musicares have pledged $1 million to assist musicians in trouble because of the LA wildfires. They started a drive called theLos Angeles Fire Relief Effort to Support Music Professionalsfund, with a combined pledge of $1m.
There are now countless stories of musicians who’ve lost their homes including instruments, recordings, and The Recording Academy — aka the Grammys – and Musicares have pledged $1 million to assist musicians in trouble because of the LA wildfires.
“The entire GRAMMY family is shocked and deeply saddened by the situation that is unfolding in Los Angeles,” said Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares. “The music community is being so severely impacted but we will come together as an industry to support one another. Our organizations exist to serve music people because music is a powerful force for good in the world, and we hope the broader industry will now rally to this cause.”
Musicares is always there music professionals. On February 1st, the organization will host its annual Person of the Year dinner in Los Angeles honoring the Grateful Dead. The wildfires are another reason why Musicares is so important to the community. They always need donations.
“We expect the disaster relief efforts in Los Angeles to be extraordinary, if even just on the basis of how many music people have lost their homes in the last day. MusiCares is always committed to ensuring that music professionals are supported in times of crisis, and we ask for the larger community to donate for those in need at this dire time,” said Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares. “MusiCares can help with short term emergent needs for those currently displaced, and then longer-term services as we get a handle on the full extent of how music people are impacted.”
Support for Those in Need
MusiCares Assistance: For many in the music community, disasters like this can disrupt even the most basic needs. MusiCares is here to provide support. If you or someone you know in the music industry is affected by these wildfires, please reach out:
Disaster resources and information through LA County: For updated information about evacuations, road closures, emergency resources and free shelter through Airbnb, visit the 211LA website: Greater Los Angeles Wildires | 211LA
Uber: Residents in Los Angeles County who’ve been ordered to vacate their homes can get a credit from Uber to get to an evacuation site. The $40 will only be valid for trips to an active shelter and by using the codeWILDFIRE25.
Lyft: Lyft announced it will be offering $25 vouchers, valid for two trips, to 500 customers from now until midnight on Jan. 15. Use the code CAFIRERELIEF25 to get the promotion.
To Donate: You can contribute to the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort To Support Music Professionals by donating here or visit MusiCares.org/FireRelief. .
Elton John and David Furnish have made a big score for their annual Oscar party. They’ve also trumped Vanity Fair in the fun Oscar party competition.
None other than top pop star Chappell Roan will take the stage on February 2nd in West Hollywood at the gigantic tents set up by the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Chappell Roan is about as big as you can get right now. She’s had a bunch of hits from her debut album. She’s up for several Grammy Awards on February 2nd.
The singer will play for the well-heeled donors at the private dinner n the tent, although I suspect she’ll be heard up and down San Vincente Boulevard. Maybe Sir Elton will perform a number or two with her!
Of Elton John’s many attributes, the fact that he always supports new and young artists is remarkable. I love listening to his Rocket Hour Radio Show. His enthusiasm is contagious!
The evening will be co-hosted by Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning actress Jean Smart, Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph, Emmy and Tony winner Neil Patrick Harris and actor-author-chef David Burtka.
Guests usually include everyone from Smokey Robinson to Sharon Stone, and more.
