Photo Credit: Stacie Huckeba
Guitarist Steve Cropper, whose influence echoed across the Bible Belt and beyond with impressionistic soul licks rooted in his Memphis legacy, has passed away. He was 84.
Cropper made an early impression at Stax Records as a figure in their house band and esteemed member of the instrumental hitmakers Booker T. & the MG’s [“Green Onions,” “Time Is Tight,” “Sunday Sermon”], supporting greats like Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Carla Thomas, and other distinguished acts.
The musician’s death was confirmed on social media by his family. In part, the post read: “It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Stephen Lee Cropper, who died peacefully in Nashville today at the age of 84.”
Born in Dora, Mo., on October 21, 1941, Cropper’s southern upbringing informed his initial interest in music as a churchgoer in predominantly Black communities. He acquired his first instrument at age 14, admiring guitarists such as Chuck Berry, Tal Farlow, Jimmy Reed, and Chuck Atkins.
Cropper first formed a band, the Royal Spades, with Charlie Freeman, before taking the name the Mar-Keys. The group received session work, resulting in the 1961 hit single, “Last Night.” Cropper drew the attention of Stax Records president Jim Stewart, who bolstered the guitarist’s career, by hiring him as the label’s head of A&R.
With the title came more musical opportunities as well, including a slot as a founding member of the Stax house band, Booker T & the MG’s, with fellow players Hammond organist Booker T. Jones, bassist Lewie Steinberg (who was later replaced by Donald “Duck” Dunn), and drummer Al Jackson Jr.
As a house guitarist for the label, he contributed to a variety of enduring standards, adding to Redding’s famed “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay,” and scoring a co-writer credit. Cropper got name-checked on Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man,” and later played on the track’s ‘70s remake and received another shout-out, this time from actor and comedian John Belushi.
Cropper’s signature sound came through a 1956 Fender Esquire in the early days of his Stax career, and later through the use of a blonde Fender Telecaster. The tone excited the likes of Beatles members Paul McCartney and John Lennon, who made tentative plans to visit Cropper in Memphis. Ultimately, Brian Epstein scrapped the idea due to security concerns.
Before parting ways with Stax, Cropper co-wrote and released “In the Midnight Hour” with Pickett, “Knock on Wood” with Eddie Floyd, and delivered his first solo debut, With a Little Help From My Friends.
After leaving Stax, Cropper began TMI Studios with Jerry Williams and Ronnie Stoots, working with an impressive list of talent, including John Prine, Tower of Power, Rob Stewart, The Jeff Beck Group, John Lennon and Ringo Starr.
Before the dawn of the ‘80s, Cropper had joined Levon Helm’s RCO All-Stars. He also played in the Blues Brothers Band, resulting in two LP appearances and roles in the movies Blues Brothers and Blues Brothers 2000.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recognized Cropper and Booker T. & the MG’s achievements, inducting the group in 1992. That same year, he took part in a three-decade celebration of Bob Dylan’s career at Madison Square Garden, playing material and supporting folks like the honoree, George Harrison, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Eric Clapton and others.
By 1996, he was named “the greatest living guitar player” by Mojo magazine and scored praise from Keith Richards, who described him as “Perfect, man.” Two years later, he returned to his soul roots, releasing The Interview – Play It, Steve!, a compilation of some of his enduring soul hits.
In 2004, Cropper took part in Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival. A year later, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2010, he received Music City recognition, becoming a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Cropper kept busy in his later years, releasing Dedicated in 2011, a tribute to the “5” Royales, and continuing his live legacy as a part of Clapton’s guitar festival tour. In 2021, his LP, Fire It Up, was nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album by the Recording Academy. He kept up studio work, delivering Friendlytown under the title Steve Cropper and the Midnight Hour.
Cropper’s passing was confirmed on Wednesday, Dec. 3. In the official post confirming his passing, his family wrote: “Steve is survived by his loving wife, Angel Cropper; his children Andrea and Cameron Cropper, Stevie, and Ashley, along with countless musicians and fans whose lives he transformed through his extraordinary gift.”
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