Remembering Steve Cropper
• Legendary guitarist Steve Cropper, best known for his work with Booker T. & the MG’s and the Stax Records roster, and later, as a charter member of The Blues Brothers, died this week at the age of 84. His family posted a lovely tribute to their patriarch on Facebook.
Our friend Chris Morris at Variety wrote an excellent piece that covered Cropper’s amazing career accomplishments, including playing on and/or produced dozens of tracks at Stax Records’ studio by such soul greats as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Rufus and Carla Thomas and Eddie Floyd. He also co-wrote the MG’s smashes “Green Onions,” “Soul-Limbo” and “Time is Tight,” and such mammoth R&B hits as Redding’s “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay,” Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour” and Eddie Floyd’s “Knock On Wood,” to name but a few standouts.
Cropper’s highest-profile latter-day gig was as lead guitarist (alongside his former high school classmate), bassist Donald “Duck” Dunn as a member of John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd‘s The Blues Brothers, who made their TV debut in 1978 on Saturday Night Live. Cropper also played on the duo’s 1978 No. 1 double-platinum album, Briefcase Full of Blues and four other albums, and appeared in both John Landis‘ 1980 feature The Blues Brothers and its 1998 sequel Blues Brothers 2000.
Legendary promo vet Rox Alexenburg worked with Cropper back in the day and considered him friend. “Steve Cropper has been a special musician, band member, songwriter and friend to so many artists and music people,” he said. “A dear friend of his, Dave Mason, said it best that when they met, the magic just immediately existed. So many artists have benefited from Steve’s guitar arrangements, listing him amongst the top 50 of all time guitarists. He was a dear friend, and this is a significant loss to family, friends and the music industry.”
Cropper was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the MG’s in 1992. He is survived by his second wife Angel; his children Andrea, Cameron, Stevie, and Ashley. [Photo from Facebook]
