Memphis soul guitarist Steve Cropper passes away at age 84

Steve Cropper, the legendary guitarist of Booker T. & the MG's and a pivotal figure behind the Memphis soul sound at Stax Records, has passed away at the age of 84, according to his family. He died peacefully on Wednesday in Nashville, as shared in a statement on his official Facebook page.

Cropper co-wrote iconic soul hits such as "In the Midnight Hour" and "(Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay." The family statement praised his remarkable talent, noting that "Steve was a beloved musician, songwriter, and producer whose extraordinary talent touched millions of lives worldwide" and that "his impact on American music is immeasurable."

During his career at Stax Records, Cropper collaborated with legendary artists including Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Rufus and Carla Thomas, and Eddie Floyd. As a member of Booker T. & the MG's, he contributed both as a guitarist and as a producer and songwriter, co-creating tracks like "Green Onions," "Soul Limbo," and "Time Is Tight," as well as Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" and "Mr. Pitiful."

Cropper's extraordinary guitar work earned him widespread recognition. In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked him 45th among its 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, while British magazine MOJO placed him second, just behind Jimi Hendrix. Rolling Stone described his playing as "the secret ingredient in some of the greatest rock and soul songs," highlighting his signature riffs and nuanced guitar fills in classics like Sam and Dave's "Soul Man," Booker T.'s "Green Onions," and Redding's "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay."

Beyond soul music, Cropper served as the lead guitarist for the Blues Brothers, the band created by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. He played on their double platinum album Briefcase Full of Blues (1978) and contributed to four more albums, while also appearing in the films The Blues Brothers (1980) and Blues Brothers 2000 (1998).

In recognition of his enduring influence, Cropper was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as a member of Booker T. & the MG's, solidifying his place in music history.

Author: Noah Whitman