The music world is mourning the loss of a foundational architect of soul and R&B. Steve Cropper, the legendary guitarist for Booker T & the MGs and a pivotal force behind the iconic Stax Records sound, has died at the age of 84.
The Stax Sound Architect
Though he often worked from the shadows of the studio, Cropper's creative influence was monumental. Based at Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee, he became one of the most significant and respected musicians of the 1960s. His impact resonated far beyond the soul genre, with icons from The Beatles to The Rolling Stones holding his work in the highest esteem. Jimi Hendrix once drove to Memphis specifically to meet and jam with him, while Janis Joplin arranged for her band to play a Stax Christmas party just to be near Cropper and his peers.
Cropper's guitar style was a masterclass in subtlety and taste. His incisive, economical playing defined the original R&B sound, prioritising the song over flashy solos. Even when Sam Moore of Sam & Dave famously shouted "play it, Steve!" during Soul Man, Cropper responded with a simple, perfect fill that served the track, not his ego.
More Than a Guitarist: Co-Writer and Producer
His genius extended far beyond the fretboard. Cropper evolved into a remarkable producer, engineer, and co-writer. He possessed a unique talent for collaborating with great vocalists like Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and Eddie Floyd, helping to structure their ideas into timeless anthems. It was Cropper who transformed a fleeting observation from Redding about watching boats into the fully-formed lyrical masterpiece, (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay, one of Redding's most enduring hits.
His journey in music began in Memphis. While still in high school, he formed his first band, the Royal Spades, which later evolved into the Mar-Keys. Their instrumental hit Last Night helped establish the fledgling Satellite Records, which soon rebranded as Stax. Preferring studio work to the rigours of touring, Cropper secured a role at Stax where he honed his engineering skills and formed the legendary house band, Booker T & the MGs, with organist Booker T Jones, drummer Al Jackson Jr, and bassist Lewie Steinberg.
A Legacy Etched in Vinyl
With the MGs, Cropper created the instrumental smash Green Onions, a track that remains a mod anthem and one of the most influential instrumentals of all time. He was also instrumental in launching Otis Redding's career, recognising his talent during a failed session and providing piano on Redding's first hit, These Arms of Mine. The MGs would become Redding's definitive backing band, including at his legendary 1967 Monterey Pop Festival performance.
Following Redding's tragic death in 1967 and subsequent changes at Stax, Cropper moved into a revered sideman role, recording with artists like John Lennon and Rod Stewart. He later found a new, younger audience as a member of The Blues Brothers band, appearing in the hit films. While this venture introduced classic R&B to a mainstream crowd, it was his foundational work at Stax in the 1960s that cemented his immortal status. Steve Cropper didn't just play on soul classics; he helped invent the very language of soul music. Rest in peace, soul man.
