Hold On, They’re Coming: The Sam & Dave Story
Sam & Dave were a groundbreaking soul duo whose dynamic vocal interplay became a defining feature of their music. Active from 1961 to 1981, Sam Moore and Dave Prater’s relationship was often fraught with tension. The pair frequently argued, sometimes not speaking for days, and during the ‘70s, their personal differences were so severe that they would often arrive separately at shows, have individual dressing rooms, and avoid looking at each other on stage.
This tension was attributed to both men feeling that the other didn’t want to continue the duo, but in reality, it was likely a result of the intense touring schedule that saw them perform an average of 280 shows a year between 1967 and 1969. Despite their fractious relationship, Sam & Dave went on to become one of the most influential soul duos in history, with a unique sound that would change the genre.
The journey to stardom began in 1961 when Sam Moore met Dave Prater on the Miami club circuit. After a single performance together, the two decided to join forces, drawing on gospel influences and developing a signature call-and-response vocal style that would set them apart. Their style was electrifying and became a hallmark of their sound.
In 1962, they were discovered by Steve Alaimo, who signed them to Marlin Records. After releasing a couple of singles, they moved to Roulette Records in New York. However, it wasn’t until 1964 that they signed with Atlantic Records, which connected them with Stax, a small subsidiary in Memphis. This shift marked a turning point, as Stax offered the duo an authentic southern sound, and their relationship with the legendary house band, Booker T. & The M.G.’s, further defined their style.
Booker T. & The M.G.’s— a racially integrated band that was groundbreaking for the time—played a significant role in the duo’s success, helping write songs and playing on recordings that included hits by Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Bill Withers, and Albert King. The band’s distinctive contributions featured prominently on Sam & Dave’s most famous tracks: Hold On, I’m Comin’, Soul Man, and Soothe Me.
By the late ‘70s, Sam & Dave’s career had seemingly run its course. However, in 1979, The Blues Brothers, starring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, brought new life to their legacy. The characters of the film were heavily inspired by Sam & Dave, and the duo re-recorded Soul Man with Booker T. & The M.G.’s, who also made an appearance in the film. This revival led to more tour dates and a brief resurgence in their career.
Despite this second wind, Sam & Dave’s personal and professional rifts led to their breakup after a New Year’s Eve performance in 1981. They walked off stage that night, never to speak again, closing the final chapter on one of soul music’s most iconic partnerships.
Sam & Dave Tunes | Related Pages
Hold On, I’m Comin’ | Chords + Lyrics
You can learn how to play Hold On, I’m Comin’ by Sam & Dave using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| Ab7 | Ab7 | Ab7 | Ab7 |
Don’t you ever, be sad. Lean on me, when the times are bad…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Hold On, I’m Comin’ (Sam & Dave) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Soul Man | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Soul Man by Sam & Dave using chords, lyrics, a chord chart, a backing track, and Spytunes video guitar lessons.
| G G7 G | G G7 G |
Coming to you, on a dusty road…
Start learning with the full lesson series: Soul Man – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Under The Boardwalk | Chords + TAB
You can learn how to play Under The Boardwalk by The Drifters using chords, lyrics, chord analysis, a chord chart, and the original recording.
| G | G | D | D |
Oh, when the sun beats down and burns the tar up on the roof…
Check out the full TAB lesson here: Under The Boardwalk (The Drifters) Guitar Lesson with TAB.
Sam & Dave on the web
