Legendary Guitarist and Songwriter Steve Cropper Passes Away at 84
Nashville mourns the loss of a musical icon as Steve Cropper, the soul-stirring guitarist and songwriter renowned for his work with Booker T. and the M.G.’s, passed away at age 84. Known for co-writing timeless hits such as “Green Onions” and “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay,” Cropper’s influence on the Memphis music scene is undeniable.
Pat Mitchell Worley, CEO of the Soulsville Foundation, conveyed the news of Cropper’s passing from his family. The Soulsville Foundation oversees the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, located where Stax Records once thrived with Cropper as a key figure.
Although the exact cause of death is unknown, Eddie Gore, a close associate, mentioned visiting Cropper in a Nashville rehabilitation facility following a fall. Despite health challenges, Cropper was actively working on new music during Gore’s visit.
“He’s such a good human,” Gore reflected. “We were blessed to have him, for sure.”
‘Play it, Steve!’
Steve Cropper’s name was immortalized in the 1967 hit “Soul Man” by Sam & Dave, where Sam Moore famously exclaimed, “Play it, Steve!” Cropper’s signature slide riff, achieved using a Zippo lighter, became iconic and was later reprised in “The Blues Brothers” where he performed alongside John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
In 2020, Cropper discussed his unique approach to music, emphasizing the importance of harmonizing with fellow musicians. “I listen to the other musicians and the singer,” he explained. “I’m not listening to just me. I make sure I’m sounding OK before we start the session.”
Renowned musicians have praised Cropper’s style, with Keith Richards calling him “Perfect, man.” Guitarist Joe Bonamassa noted, “If you haven’t heard the name Steve Cropper, you’ve heard him in song.”
He got his first guitar at 14
Born near Dora, Missouri, Cropper moved to Memphis at the age of 9 and acquired his first guitar at 14. Influenced by legends like Chuck Berry and Jimmy Reed, he eventually joined Satellite Records, which became Stax, where Cropper rose to fame with his band the Mar-Keys.
At Stax, Cropper and other Mar-Keys members formed Booker T. and the M.G.’s, a racially integrated band that defied norms of the era, backing artists such as Otis Redding and Sam & Dave. “When you walked in the door at Stax, there was absolutely no color,” Cropper recalled. “We were all there for the same reason — to get a hit record.”
Inspired by gospel song
In the 1960s, Cropper co-wrote “In the Midnight Hour” with Wilson Pickett, inspired by a gospel tune. “I’ll see my Jesus in the midnight hour” became a secular classic with Cropper’s touch.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, Cropper’s contributions to music were vast, including a Grammy for lifetime achievement and a Songwriters Hall of Fame induction in 2005. His work on “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay” with Redding remains a poignant memory.
Cropper also appeared in “The Blues Brothers” films and continued recording into his later years, earning a Grammy nomination for 2024’s “Friendlytown.” Recently, he received the Tennessee Governor’s Arts Award, honoring his enduring legacy.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
