Steve Cropper, the influential guitarist and songwriter whose distinctive sound defined the era of Memphis soul, has died at the age of 84.The news was confirmed by the Soulsville Foundation, tho a cause of death was not promptly disclosed. Cropper’s work as a founding member of Booker T. & the M.G.’s and a key contributor to Stax Records cemented his legacy as one of music’s most important instrumentalists and producers.
Born in Missouri and raised in Memphis,Cropper began playing guitar at 14. he first gained recognition with the Royal Spades, who became the Mar-Keys after signing with the then-fledgling Satellite Records (later Stax). The Mar-Keys scored a hit in 1961 with “Last Night,” establishing the band as the label’s first house band.
Cropper’s role expanded in 1962 when he was appointed A&R director at Stax and co-founded Booker T. & the M.G.’s alongside Booker T. Jones, donald “Duck” Dunn, and Al Jackson Jr. the instrumental group quickly rose to prominence, achieving a No. 3 Billboard hit in 1962 with “Green Onions.” Booker T.& the M.G.’s were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
Beyond his work with Booker T. & the M.G.’s, Cropper’s guitar is featured on countless recordings by soul legends including Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and Carla and Rufus Thomas. He also co-wrote some of the genre’s most enduring songs, including “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding, “knock on Wood” by Eddie Floyd, and “In the Midnight Hour” by wilson Pickett.His influence was even directly acknowledged in Sam & Dave’s 1967 song “Soul Man,” were sam Moore famously ad-libbed, “Play it, Steve!”
Cropper released his debut solo album, With a little Help from My Friends, in 1969 and left Stax in 1970. He subsequently founded Trans-Maximus (TMI) Studios in Memphis, producing albums for artists like John Prine and Tower of Power, and performing with Ringo Starr and Rod Stewart. he also became a prominent member of the Blues Brothers Band, appearing on five albums and in two films alongside John Belushi and dan Aykroyd. He later rejoined Booker T.& the M.G.’s for various performances. His final solo album, Friendlytown, was released last year.
