Roger Friedman reports that Sam Moore — of Sam & Dave fame — has objected to Barack Obama’s campaign using the record Hold On, I’m Comin’, at political events, saying that it implies an endorsement that he has not given.

No one from Obama’s group asked Moore if it was OK to use his recognizable vocals.

And that, Moore feels, is ironic since he’s a) a black man and b) was an active supporter and friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, a touchstone legend of the Obama campaign.

Moore says in his letter to the Obama campaign that since “Hold On!” has been used at rallies, often with the audience changing the words to “Hold on, Obama’s coming!” he’s been peppered with questions from reporters and fans such as: “Why do I want you to be president? Have we met yet? Am I honored that my song was selected to be so important to Obama for President Campaign?”

He continues: “I have had no choice but to set the record straight and I have begun explaining that the song was being performed at your rallies without my permission or my endorsement of you as my choice as a candidate for president and that I was writing this to you asking you to not continue including my material at your events.

“I do wish you well in your quest for the nomination. Having been hit with rocks and water hoses in the streets, in the day with Dr. King as part of his artist appearance and fundraising team, it is thrilling, in my lifetime, to see that our country has matured to the place where it is no longer an impossibility for a man of color to really be considered as a legitimate candidate for the highest office in our land.”

But he adds:

“I have not agreed to endorse you for the highest office in our land. I reserve my right to determine who I will support when and if I choose to do so. My vote is a very private matter between myself and the ballot box. My endorsement and support of a candidate, because I do carry some celebrity, makes it quite a different matter changing a private act to a public statement, something I wouldn’t do without considerable thought.”

And Sam Moore’s is apparently one vote that Barack Obama ought not to take for granted.

In 1996, after what one assumes must have been the “considerable thought” mentioned above, Sam Moore re-recorded the Sam & Dave hit, I’m A Soul Man, changing the title and chorus to “I’m a Dole man.” He was not endorsing orange juice, but instead the Republican candidate for president that year, the estimable Bob Dole. (Ironically, according to this item on the NY Times website, a part-owner of the song, Rondor Music Inc., threatened to sue and Senator Dole ceased using that recording.)

Sam Moore was also one of a group of stars, including Isaac Hayes and B.B. King, to perform on a 1990 album called Red, Hot & Blue: Lee Atwater & Friends. Lee Atwater — for those who don’t remember or weren’t around — was kind of the Karl Rove of his day, in addition to being a guitar player and a major music fan. (He passed away in 1991.) Sam Moore also performed at George H.W. Bush’s inaugural celebration in 1989, which was probably also something to do with Lee Atwater and his very solid musical taste.

Well, here’s to Sam Moore: a helluva singer and a true independent thinker to boot.

Below, from YouTube, is Sam Moore delivering a dynamite rendition of I Can’t Stand Up (For Falling Down)

Addendum: The full text of Sam Moore’s letter to Barack Obama was published at this link. And I reproduce it here:

I am Sam Moore the lead voice of the duo Sam and Dave whose recording of “Hold On I’m Comin” your campaign has been using at your rallies.

Unfortunately, I have been contacted by various media outlets because of a story on yesterday’s Newsweek blog about how my signature song as part of Sam & Dave was blasting for 18,000 adoring admirers of yours at a rally in Dallas and how the crowd was singing along and even spontaneously changed the words to “Hold On Obama’s Comin”. Questions have included: Why do I want you to be President? Have we met yet? Am I honored that my song was selected to be so important to the Obama for President Campaign?

I have had no choice but to set the record straight and I have begun explaining that the song was being performed at your rallies without my permission or my endorsement of you as my choice as a candidate for President and that I was writing this to you asking you to not continue including my material at your events.

I must request that you instruct your team to cease and desist from playing the song as I was not asked if I minded that my performance, as well as my name and the little bit of fame I enjoy, was associated to your bid to win the nomination of your party as their candidate for President of The United States of America, our wonderful country.

I have not agreed to endorse you for the highest office in our land.

I reserve my right to determine who I will support when and if I choose to do so.

My vote is a very private matter between myself and the ballot box. My endorsement and support of a candidate, because I do carry some celebrity, makes is quite a different matter changing a private act to a public statement, something I wouldn’t do without considerable thought.

I therefore must stand firm on being given the respect and courtesy of being asked if I mind having my talent, name and fame associated to you or any other candidate running for office, for that matter.

I do wish you well in your quest for the nomination. Having been hit with rocks and water hoses in the streets, in the day with Dr. King as part of his artist appearance and fund raising team, it is thrilling, in my lifetime, to see that our country has matured to the place where it is no longer an impossibility for a man of color to really be considered as a legitimate candidate for the highest office in our land.

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