Steve Cropper, guitarist from Booker T and the MGs, passes away at 84

Steve Cropper, the renowned guitarist of Booker T. & the MGs, has passed away at 84. The musician, known for co-writing and performing on classics like Otis Redding's Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay and Wilson Pickett's In the Midnight Hour, died Wednesday in Nashville, according to a source cited by the Associated Press.

Booker T. & the MGs, celebrated as one of the finest backing bands in soul music, served as the house band for Memphis' legendary Stax Records. Their 1962 hit Green Onions remains a defining track of their legacy. Cropper also collaborated with The Blues Brothers in the late 1970s, contributing to their famous cover of Soul Man.

"Steve was a beloved musician, songwriter, and producer whose remarkable talent touched millions worldwide," his family stated. "While we grieve the loss of a husband, father, and friend, we find solace in knowing Steve's music will live on."

The cause of death has not been disclosed. Associate Eddie Gore told the AP that he had spent time with Cropper in Nashville on Tuesday, where Cropper was working on new music. "He's such a good human," Gore said. "We were truly fortunate to have him in our lives."

Cropper, recognized as the second-best guitarist ever by Mojo magazine in 1996, began his career at Stax Records in 1961 at just 20 years old. In 1962, Booker T. & the MGs formed with keyboardist Booker T. Jones, drummer Al Jackson, and bassist Lewie Steinberg, later replaced by Donald "Duck" Dunn in 1964. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

Reflecting on his approach to music, Cropper told Guitar.com in 2021, "I've always thought of myself as a rhythm player. I enjoy playing something repeatedly while other guitarists may not even attempt the same riff twice."

Beyond his guitar work, Cropper was a prolific songwriter, co-writing hits including Eddie Floyd's Knock on Wood. His website notes that he participated in nearly every Stax Records release from late 1961 through 1970. "We would spend up to 15 hours a day in the studio," Cropper recalled to The Guardian in 2012, "with around 17 or 18 artists on the roster, keeping us incredibly busy."

Author: Maya Henderson