Legendary guitarist Steve Cropper, guitarist of Booker T and the MGs, has died at the age of 84
Esteemed musician Steve Cropper, the renowned guitarist with the iconic band Booker T & the MGs, has died at the age of 84.
The artist, who contributed to and collaborated on writing the classic song Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay and the hit track In the Midnight Hour, passed away recently in Nashville.
Often cited among the finest backing bands in soul and R&B, the group the MGs was the house band of the historic Memphis label Stax and is primarily known for their classic 1962 track Green Onions.
Cropper later became a member of the comedy music group The Blues Brothers in the 1970s and performed on their successful version of Soul Man.
"Steve was a deeply admired artist, writer, and producer whose extraordinary talent impacted countless people around the world," his family said in a statement.
"While we grieve the loss of a husband, father, and friend, we are consoled knowing that Steve will be remembered through his music," they noted.
A cause of death was not released at this time.
A friend, Eddie Gore, recalled he was with Cropper recently in Nashville, where the guitarist was in the process of creating new music.
"He's such a good human," Gore remarked. "We were blessed to have him, for sure."
A Storied Musical Path
Ranked the number two guitarist of all time by a music periodical in 1996, Cropper first found employment at Stax Records in 1961 at the age of 20.
A year later, the MGs came together, comprising keyboardist Booker T Jones, drummer Al Jackson and bassist Lewie Steinberg - who was succeeded by Donald "Duck" Dunn in 1964.
The band was honored by inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
"I've always seen myself as a rhythm player," Cropper said in a past interview. "I get off on the fact that I can play something over and over, while other guitar players don't want to even know about that. They refuse to play the same lick twice."
In addition to being a guitarist, Cropper was a vastly creative songwriter, and besides Dock of the Bay and In the Midnight Hour, he collaborated on Eddie Floyd's hit Knock on Wood.
According to historical accounts, he was "involved in the majority of record issued by Stax from the fall of 1961 through the end of 1970".
"We would truly spend long days in the studio," Cropper said. "I think we had a roster of artists we worked with, so we had a very hectic schedule."
