Dave Prater was one half of the legendary soul duo Sam & Dave, who recorded some of the most iconic songs of the 1960s, such as “Soul Man”, “Hold On, I’m Coming”, and “I Thank You”. Prater’s powerful and passionate voice, along with his energetic and charismatic stage presence, made him a star in the music industry. However, his life was cut short on April 9, 1988, when he died in a car accident in Georgia. Here is the story of how Dave Prater, the soul man, met his tragic end.
The Rise of Sam & Dave
Prater was born in Ocilla, Georgia, on May 9, 1937, as the seventh of ten children. He grew up singing gospel music in the church choir and in the group the Sensational Hummingbirds, along with his older brother J.T. Prater. He met his future partner, Sam Moore, in 1961 at the King of Hearts Club in Miami, where Moore was performing. They formed a duo and signed to Roulette Records, releasing six singles, two of which Prater co-wrote with Moore. Prater was usually the lead vocalist on these records, with Moore singing harmony and alternate verses.
However, their breakthrough came when they moved to Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1965. There, they worked with the legendary songwriting and production team of Isaac Hayes and David Porter, who crafted a series of hits for them that blended soul, gospel, and R&B. Their first hit was “You Don’t Know Like I Know” in 1965, followed by “Hold On, I’m Coming” in 1966, which reached No. 1 on the R&B chart and No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their biggest hit was “Soul Man” in 1967, which won them a Grammy Award and became a cultural anthem. The song was later covered by the Blues Brothers and featured in the movie of the same name. Other hits included “I Thank You”, “When Something Is Wrong with My Baby”, and “Wrap It Up”.
Sam & Dave were known for their electrifying and dynamic live performances, which earned them the nickname “Double Dynamite”. They were influenced by the call-and-response style of gospel music and often engaged in friendly competition on stage, trying to outdo each other with their vocal prowess and dance moves. They were also one of the first soul acts to cross over to the mainstream audience, touring extensively in the US and Europe and appearing on popular TV shows. They were admired and respected by many other artists, such as Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, and Stevie Winwood.
The Fall of Sam & Dave
Despite their musical success, Sam & Dave had a turbulent and strained relationship off stage. They often argued and fought over money, women, and creative differences. They also had problems with drugs and alcohol, which affected their performances and health. Their career declined in the late 1960s and early 1970s, as they left Stax Records and signed to Atlantic Records, where they failed to recapture their previous glory. They also faced legal issues over the ownership of their name and songs, which prevented them from performing or recording as Sam & Dave. They broke up in 1970, but reunited several times in the following years, mostly for financial reasons. However, they never regained their former popularity or chemistry, and their last performance together was in 1981.
Prater continued to perform as a solo artist and with various partners, using the name Sam & Dave or the New Sam & Dave Revue. He also tried to launch a comeback in the 1980s, recording a new album and appearing in a documentary about Stax Records. However, he struggled to find a stable and loyal audience, and his personal life was marred by domestic violence, divorce, and bankruptcy.
The Death of Dave Prater
On April 9, 1988, Prater was driving to his mother’s house in Ocilla, Georgia, after playing a gig in Atlanta. He was accompanied by his girlfriend, Charmaine Marks, who was also his manager. According to the Georgia Highway Patrol, Prater was speeding on Georgia Highway 32, when he lost control of his car and ran off the road. The car flipped over several times, ejecting Prater and Marks. Prater hit a tree and died instantly, while Marks was seriously injured and taken to a hospital. Prater was 50 years old.
The news of Prater’s death shocked and saddened the music world, especially his former partner, Sam Moore, who said he felt like he had lost a brother. Prater’s funeral was held in Georgia, and he was buried in New Jersey. He was survived by his mother, six children, and several grandchildren. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1997. His legacy lives on in his music, which has influenced and inspired generations of artists and fans.
