Steve Cropper, Guitarist for Stax Records, Booker T. & the M.G.’s and The Blues Brothers, Passes Away at 84

Steve Cropper, the iconic guitarist and founding member of Booker T. & the M.G.s whose signature grooves shaped the sound of Stax Records and appeared on hits by The Blues Brothers, has died at the age of 84. His passing occurred on Wednesday in Nashville, according to family statements reported by the Associated Press. No immediate cause of death was released.

Eddie Gore, a longtime associate, noted that he had visited Cropper the day before at a rehabilitation center following a recent fall, and mentioned that Cropper was actively working on new music during that time.

Croppers career spanned decades, backing legendary artists including Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, and Johnnie Taylor. In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked him No. 45 on its list of The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. His unmistakable style defined classic tracks such as Sam & Daves Soul Man, Booker T. & the M.G.s Green Onions, and Reddings (Sittin on) the Dock of the Bay.

Described by Mojo magazine in 1996 as the greatest living guitar player, Cropper often performed using a 1956 Fender Esquire and later a blonde Fender Telecaster. He won his first Grammy in 1969 for co-writing (Sittin on) the Dock of the Bay with Redding, shortly after the singers untimely death.

Beyond his work with Stax, Cropper co-wrote major hits such as Wilson Picketts In the Midnight Hour and Eddie Floyds Knock on Wood. When John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd formed The Blues Brothers in 1978, Cropper joined as the bandleader, contributing to tours, albums, and the 1980 film.

Throughout his career, Cropper collaborated with a wide range of artists including Paul Simon, Ringo Starr, Buddy Guy, Elton John, Steppenwolf, and John Cougar Mellencamp. He was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, yet he famously shunned the spotlight, preferring the role of supportive band member.

Born Steven Lee Cropper on October 21, 1941, on a farm near Dora, Missouri, he moved with his family to Memphis at age 9 and quickly developed a love for guitar. By 14, he was performing with local musicians. Influences included Lowman Pauling, Chet Atkins, Chuck Berry, Tal Farlow, Jimmy Reed, and Billy Butler.

While in high school, Cropper formed the Royal Spades, later renamed The Mar-Keys, with Charlie Freeman, Donald Duck Dunn, and Packy Axton. They recorded the hit instrumental Last Night in 1961, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Cropper soon joined Stax Records as a staff engineer and A&R representative, eventually forming Booker T. & the M.G.s with Booker T. Jones, Al Jackson Jr., and Lewie Steinberg.

The group scored major hits including Green Onions, Mo Onions, Soul Dressing, Time Is Tight, and many more. After leaving Stax in 1970, Cropper co-founded Trans-Maximus Recording and moved to California, where he produced and performed with Poco, Jeff Beck, Jos Feliciano, Yvonne Elliman, John Prine, and Tower of Power, among others.

Booker T. & the M.G.s were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, and the group won a Grammy in 1995 for Cruisin. Cropper continued performing with The Blues Brothers, released multiple solo albums, and collaborated on projects with The Rascals and Billy Gibbons, earning a Grammy nomination in 2021 for Fire It Up and releasing Friendlytown in 2024 with Steve Cropper and the Midnight Hour.

He is survived by his second wife, Angel, and their children, Andrea and Cameron.

Author: Sophia Brooks