Steve Cropper, the legendary guitarist behind Memphis soul classics and a key figure at Stax Records, has died aged 84, his son Cameron confirmed.
Best known as the masterful guitarist of Booker T. & the MG’s, Cropper’s understated yet iconic playing helped define hits such as ‘Green Onions’, ‘Soul-Limbo’ and ‘Time is Tight’. He also co-wrote soul staples including Otis Redding’s (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay, Wilson Pickett’s In the Midnight Hour and Eddie Floyd’s Knock on Wood.
A native of Missouri, Cropper moved to Memphis as a child and formed the Royal Spades, the precursor to Booker T. & the MG’s, at Messick High School. His distinctive riffs became central to Stax’s sound, backing stars like Redding, Sam & Dave, Rufus Thomas and Carla Thomas throughout the 1960s.
In later years, Cropper gained a new generation of fans as lead guitarist for the Blues Brothers, appearing on the double-platinum ‘Briefcase Full of Blues’ album and in both feature films. He also played with Bob Dylan, Neil Young and John Fogerty, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the MG’s in 1992.
Cropper’s influence on soul, R&B and rock was widely recognised: in 1996, Mojo magazine ranked him the second-greatest guitarist of all time, noting his metronome-crisp timing and ability to serve the song above all.
He is survived by his second wife, Angel, and their two children, as well as two children from his first marriage.
