Steve Cropper, Architect of Memphis Soul and Guitarist for Booker T & the MGs, Dies at 84
A defining force behind the sound of Stax Records and a celebrated guitarist, Steve Cropper has died at the age of 84. His son, Cameron, confirmed the news to Variety on Saturday. Cropper’s instrumental prowess, coupled with his skills as a producer and songwriter, left an enduring legacy on Memphis soul music and beyond.
A Legacy Forged at Stax
Cropper was most widely recognized as the guitarist for Booker T & the MGs, the pioneering interracial soul quartet lauded as one of the greatest backing bands in music history. The group’s instrumental track, “Green Onions,” remains a timeless blues standard, instantly recognizable decades after its release. However, Cropper’s influence extended far beyond that single hit.
His distinctive guitar work provided the sonic backbone for countless recordings emanating from Stax Records, the influential Memphis label that launched the careers of soul icons like Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Rufus and Carla Thomas, and Eddie Floyd. Cropper didn’t just play on these records; he frequently contributed as a producer and engineer, shaping the very sound of a generation.
He played a crucial role in the creation of iconic tracks including the MG’s “Soul-Limbo” and “Time is Tight,” as well as Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” and “Mr. Pitiful,” Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour” and “634-5789,” Floyd’s “Knock On Wood” and “Raise Your Hand,” and Don Covay’s “See Saw” and “Sookie Sookie.”
Early Years and the Birth of a Sound
Born and raised in Memphis, Cropper began playing guitar at age 14. He joined the Stax Records operation in 1961, initially working at the store and studio after playing with saxophonist Charles ‘Packy’ Axton. Stax itself was a fledgling operation, launched by Axton’s mother and uncle, Estelle Axton and Jim Stewart, from a storefront record shop and adjoining movie house.
The genesis of Booker T & the MGs – and the Stax sound – was remarkably organic. According to reports, an impromptu jam session with Booker T Jones, Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn, and Al Jackson Jr. resulted in the creation of “Green Onions.” The song quickly ascended the charts, reaching No. 1 on the R&B charts and No. 3 on the pop charts, effectively putting Stax Records on the map.
“We would literally spend 15 hours a day in the studio,” Cropper recalled in a 2012 interview with The Guardian. “I think we had 17 or 18 artists on the roster, so we had a pretty busy schedule.”
Beyond Stax: The Blues Brothers and Continued Success
Cropper’s professional path diverged from Stax in 1970 due to disagreements with label management. However, Booker T & the MGs continued to collaborate on recording sessions and tours throughout the 1970s and 1980s, providing backing for artists such as Neil Young, Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, and Levon Helm of The Band.
He achieved further renown as the lead guitarist for The Blues Brothers, the musical project spearheaded by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. Cropper contributed to their 1978 album, Briefcase Full of Blues, as well as four subsequent albums. He also appeared in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers and its 1998 sequel, Blues Brothers 2000. Cropper continued to release solo albums, with four projects appearing after the year 2000.
In 1996, Mojo magazine recognized Cropper’s exceptional talent, ranking him as the second-best guitarist of all time, surpassed only by Jimi Hendrix.
As a member of Booker T & the MGs, Cropper was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, cementing his place in music history. He is survived by his wife, Angel, and four children. His contributions to soul music will continue to resonate for generations to come.
