Remembering Steve Cropper: Beloved Stax Guitarist and Member of Booker T. & The MG’s and the Blues Brothers Band Passes Away at 84

Steve Cropper, the legendary guitarist known for his work with Booker T. & The MG’s and as a key figure in numerous Stax Records hits, passed away on Wednesday in Nashville at the age of 84.

His wife, Angel Cropper, confirmed the news to The New York Times, though she did not disclose the cause of death. Eddie Gore, a longtime associate, informed the Associated Press that he had been with Cropper the day before at a rehabilitation facility following a recent fall.

A two-time Grammy winner, Cropper contributed his distinctive guitar work to iconic tracks by artists such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and Sam & Dave. Often referred to as “The Colonel,” he co-wrote Redding’s classic “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” and was famously invoked in Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man” with the exhortation, “Play it, Steve!” John Belushi would later echo this phrase in the Blues Brothers’ rendition.

Born on October 21, 1941, in Dora, Missouri, Cropper received his first guitar at age 14. He began his career in a teenage band called The Royal Spades, which transformed into The Mar-Kays. While playing organ on their hit “Last Night,” he was already gaining experience as a session musician for labels like Sun Records. The Mar-Keys’ Top 5 hit paved the way for their association with Satellite Records, which eventually evolved into Stax Records.

During his decade at Stax, Cropper became the go-to guitarist while also taking on roles as an A&R representative, engineer, producer, and songwriter. He co-wrote classics like Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour” and Eddie Floyd’s “Knock on Wood,” which was later reimagined by Amii Stewart and topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979.

In the summer of 1962, Cropper collaborated with Booker T. Jones, Al Jackson Jr., and Lewie Steinberg during a jam session at Stax that led to the creation of the instrumental soul classic “Green Onions.” Under the name Booker T. & The MG’s, they released an album featuring this track, which soared to No. 3 on the Hot 100.

The group continued to produce memorable hits, including “Time Is Tight” and “Hang ‘Em High,” both of which reached the pop Top 10. Additionally, they recorded notable R&B hits such as “Boot-leg” and “Hip Hug-Her.”

As the 1960s drew to a close, Cropper left Stax in 1970 to launch TMI, a recording studio and label. Throughout the early 1970s, he produced and played for various artists, including Jeff Beck and John Prine. The MG’s reunited briefly in 1977 to create the album Universal Language, and later collaborated with members from The Band.

Cropper gained a new generation of fans as part of The Blues Brothers, led by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, who sought musicians for their performance on Saturday Night Live. The band’s portrayal of “Soul Man” captivated audiences during an April 1978 episode.

Joined by fellow musicians Matt “Guitar” Murphy and Paul Shaffer, the group opened for comedian Steve Martin and later released the album Briefcase Full of Blues, which reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, featuring hits like “Soul Man” and “Rubber Biscuit.”

Their success attracted the attention of Hollywood, leading to the 1980 film The Blues Brothers. Directed by John Landis, the film became known for its slapstick comedy and riveting musical performances, featuring iconic performances from artists like James Brown and Aretha Franklin.

Cropper reprised his role alongside the original group members in the film, contributing to the memorable lines, “We’re getting the band back together” and “We’re on a mission from God.” He later returned for the 1998 sequel, Blues Brothers 2000, which saw John Goodman stepping in for the late Belushi.

Steve Cropper, right, with Matt “Guitar” Murphy in ‘The Blues Brothers’ (1980)

Cropper marked his return to solo work with a debut LP for Stax in 1969, followed by albums with MCA in the early 1980s, including Playin’ My Thang and Night After Night. Throughout the 1990s and into the 2020s, he continued his journey as a session guitarist.

He collaborated with a multitude of renowned artists, ranging from John Lennon to B.B. King and contributed music heard in various films and television shows, including Good Morning, Vietnam, A Bronx Tale, and The Sopranos.

Cropper’s contributions to music have earned him a place on several “all-time guitarist” lists, with notable rankings from Mojo and Rolling Stone. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005 and received numerous Grammy nominations, winning twice.

Details regarding survivors and a memorial service are currently unavailable.