You may not know Steve Cropper by name. But you know his music. Brilliant guitarist and songwriter Cropper, who co-wrote some of the biggest soul classics of all time, such as “Green Onions,” “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay,” and “In the Midnight Hour,” passed away on Wednesday in Nashville at age 84. He cut his teeth at the Legendary Stax Records, where he was part of the influential Booker T. and the MG’s house band.
The band consisted of Cropper on guitar, Donald “Duck” Dunn on bass guitar, keyboardist Booker T. Jones, and drummer Al Jackson. Besides the aforementioned songs, the MG’s were the musical force behind hits like “Soul Man,” “Knock on Wood,” and “Who’s Making Love.” The multi-racial MG’s broke many barriers at a time when few bands were integrated.
Steve Cropper’s Early Years
Steven Lee Cropper was born on Oct. 21, 1941, on a farm near Dora, Mo., close to the Arkansas border. He was the only child of Hollis and Grace Cropper. His father was a special agent for a railroad company, and his mother was a schoolteacher. Steve listened to country music as a child, but after moving with his parents to Memphis at age 9, he was exposed to gospel and rhythm and blues for the first time. At age 14, he bought his first guitar by mail order.
Cropper and Dunn hooked up as teenagers and formed a band called the Royal Spades, which later changed its name to the Mar-Keys. Their first hit was a catchy instrumental, “Last Night.” Steve was already busy as a session player for Memphis-based Sun Records and Hi Records. Cropper and the MGs (the Mar-Keys broke off to become Stax’s horn section) were jamming at Stax one day in 1962 when the company’s founder, Jim Stewart, started rolling tape to capture the sound. The result of this was their first hit, “Green Onions.”
Stax Success and the Blues Brothers
Cropper and the MG’s went on to play on most of Stax’s hits, with Steve doubling as Stewart’s assistant, A&R director, and producer. In 1960, Stax entered into a distribution agreement with Atlantic Records’ Jerry Wexler. This allowed Stax artists such as Redding, Rufus, and Carla Thomas to recognize greater distribution of their music. It also provided Atlantic artists such as Pickett and Sam & Dave the opportunity to record at Stax, with its unique acoustics.
Cropper left Stax in 1970 after a dispute with the label’s co-owner, Al Bell. In 1975, he moved to Los Angeles, where he did session work for Levon Helm, John Lennon, and Leon Russell. From these affiliations, Steve became involved with John Belushi and Dan Ackytoid and their Blues Brothers franchise. This led to numerous recordings, concerts, and appearances in both of the franchise’s hit movies.
Later Work, Honors, and Testimonials
In 1992, Booker T. & the MG’s were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Two years later, they would score a Grammy Award for best pop instrumental performance for their reunion album, “That’s the Way it Should Be.” In the 2000s, Cropper would team with ex-Rascals singer Felix Cavaliere for two albums. And in 2005, Steve was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, when asked about Cropper, simply said, “Perfect, man.” Steve’s family released this statement after his passing. “Steve was a beloved musician, songwriter, and producer whose extraordinary talent touched the lives of millions worldwide. His influence on American music is immeasurable.”
About his talent for filling in gaps when playing with others, Cropper said.
“I listen to the other musicians and the singer. I’m not listening to just me. I make sure I’m sounding OK before we start the session. Once we’ve presented the song, then I listen to the song and the way they interpret it. And I play around all that stuff. That’s what I do. That’s my style.”
Steve Cropper is survived by his wife, Angel; their two children, Cameron and Andrea Cropper-Register; and his children from his first marriage to Betty Grooms, Stephen and Ashley Cropper.
