Steve Cropper, the guitarist whose sharp, economical riffs helped define the sound of Memphis soul, has died at 84. His family confirmed his passing, marking the end of a singular career spanning six decades and leaving an imprint on some of the most enduring recordings in American music.
Cropper’s legacy is inseparable from Booker T & the MGs, the interracial quartet widely regarded as one of the most influential backing bands in popular music. Their 1962 instrumental Green Onions, built on a smoky Hammond organ groove and Cropper’s unmistakable guitar tone, became a crossover hit and helped establish Stax Records as a powerhouse of southern soul. The track topped the R&B chart and broke into the top three on the pop chart, opening the door to a prolific era for the young label.
From the early 1960s onward, Cropper became the quiet engine behind Stax’s roster, contributing guitar work, production, and engineering to dozens of hit records. His playing shaped Otis Redding’s (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay and Mr Pitiful; Wilson Pickett’s In the Midnight Hour and 634-5789; Sam & Dave’s recordings; Rufus and Carla Thomas’s catalog; and Eddie Floyd’s Knock on Wood and Raise Your Hand. He also played on Don Covay’s See Saw and Sookie Sookie, further solidifying his standing as one of soul music’s most versatile collaborators.
Raised in Memphis and playing guitar since his early teens, Cropper entered the Stax orbit at age 20. What began as an afternoon jam session with Booker T. Jones, Donald “Duck” Dunn, and Al Jackson Jr. turned into “Green Onions,” the breakout single that propelled all four musicians into the spotlight. The MGs soon became the Stax house band, often working marathon days to support a steady rotation of artists who would become legends.
Cropper left Stax in 1970, but his career continued to evolve. Booker T & the MGs reunited periodically for tours and recording sessions, performing with artists such as Neil Young, Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, and Levon Helm. He also gained a new following as the guitarist for the Blues Brothers, appearing on multiple albums and in both film adaptations of the act.
Even late in life, Cropper continued to record, releasing four solo albums after 2000 and remaining a respected figure in American music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 alongside his MG bandmates.
Cropper is survived by his wife, Angel, and four children.
Source: The Guardian