Posted on 12/03/2025 4:21:29 PM PST by Rummyfan
Guitarist Steve Cropper, who left an indelible impression on Memphis soul music as an instrumentalist, producer and songwriter at Stax Records, has died, his son Cameron confirmed to Variety on Wednesday. He was 84.
Cropper was best known to the public for his distinctive, economical lead/rhythm work in the hit-making interracial instrumental combo Booker T. & the MG’s, but his playing also fired dozens of tracks – some of which he produced or engineered — cut at Stax Records’ studio by such soul greats as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Rufus and Carla Thomas and Eddie Floyd.
In 1996, British music monthly Mojo named him the second-greatest guitarist of all time, behind Jimi Hendrix. The publication said, “Cropper puts everything he’s got, which is considerable, at the disposal of the artist and the song: metronome-crisp timing; deadly-accurate chops; earth-moving bottom-line riffs; sharp, nasty little licks and grace notes. His solos never outstay their welcome or leave you wanting less.”
(Excerpt) Read more at variety.com ...
I have those Booker T and the MG vinyl albums and they still sound great.
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My fave: McLemore Avenue
Beatles meet Memphis
RIP to the man vwho supplied the Soundtrack of my High School years.
How did he die?
Rest In Peace, Steve.
One of my favorites. I was introduced to Booker T and the MGs when I was but a lad.
Green Onions. Great little instrumental with as basic a guitar riff as they come. But it worked!
you got the money you owe us mutha’....???
The great Duck Dunn preceded him is death at the young age of 70 in 2012.
I was a fan of Otis Redding and Booter T. Motown, or Stax, if my feeble memory is right.
Rest in pece Mr. Cropper.
RE: Was he in Blues Brothers?
Yes.
“Steve “The Colonel” Cropper was a lead guitarist for the Blues Brothers Band in the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers and its 1998 sequel. His real-life role was as the lead guitarist for the legendary Stax Records backing band, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, and he joined Belushi and Aykroyd for their live performances, albums, and films. “
Had this LP and later CD. Laid back instrumentals with his distinctive touch.
A Little Help From My Friends.
If I bought the LP new in 1969 does that make me old today?
Don’t answer.
Bit by bit, Jake’s getting the band back together...
I couldn’t stand the blues brothers, fatso couldn’t sing worth a crap.
McLemore Avenue, yes. Hang ‘Em High is my favorite tune by them.
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