Steve Cropper, Legendary Memphis Soul Guitarist and Booker T. & the M.G.’s Member, Dies at 84

Steve Cropper, the legendary guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of Booker T. and the M.G.’s, died on December 3, 2025, at age 84. He passed away peacefully in a Nashville rehabilitation center while recovering from a fall, though the exact cause of death was not shared. He helped shape the Stax Records sound with his clean and soulful guitar style.

He co-wrote timeless hits like “Green Onions,” “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay,” “In the Midnight Hour,” and “Soul Man.” He worked with Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, The Blues Brothers, and many more. He kept making music into his 80s, including his 2024 album “Friendlytown.” He was honored with major awards such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1992, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.

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Quick Personal Facts About Steve Cropper

Steve Cropper From Farm to Memphis

Steve Cropper was born on October 21, 1941. His childhood was simple and hard. He worked on the farm, even plowing fields barefoot at eight years old.
When he was nine, his family moved to Memphis. This change introduced him to church music, blues, and R&B radio. At age 14, he got his first guitar through mail order. He practiced for hours every day.
His early influences were Chuck Berry, Chet Atkins, Jimmy Reed, and Lowman Pauling.
In high school, he met Donald “Duck” Dunn and Packy Axton. They formed a band called the Royal Spades. Later, they became the Mar-Keys. Their song “Last Night” became a big hit. This success helped start Stax Records.

The Stax Years: Booker T. & the M.G.’s

From 1961 to 1970, Cropper worked at Stax Records. He was not only a guitarist. He was also a producer, arranger, and engineer. He worked long hours for many different artists.
In 1962, he played a jam session with Booker T. Jones, Lewie Steinberg, and Al Jackson Jr. This created the band Booker T. & the M.G.’s.
Their first hit, “Green Onions,” went to No. 3 on the charts.
The band was two white players and two Black players. This was rare in the South during the time of segregation. At Stax, music came first.

Cropper worked with many famous singers. He played for Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Aretha Franklin, Eddie Floyd, Rufus Thomas, and more.
He co-wrote big songs such as “In the Midnight Hour,” “Knock on Wood,” and “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay.”
Stax later ran into money problems, and Cropper left in 1970. But he continued producing and recording with many major artists.

His Sound: The Telecaster Style

Cropper always played a Fender Telecaster. He liked its clean and sharp sound. His playing was simple but effective. He used very few notes, but they were the right notes.
His rhythm style became a model for soul and R&B guitar. He did not use many pedals. He relied on his fingers, touch, and small Fender amplifiers.
He donated several of his famous guitars to the Smithsonian in 2018.

Bands and Collaboration

Cropper played in many groups across his life:

• The Mar-Keys – His first hit band.
• Booker T. & the M.G.’s – His main group and Stax house band.
• RCO All-Stars – A project with Levon Helm.
• The Blues Brothers – This made him popular with a whole new generation.

With the Blues Brothers, Cropper appeared on albums, tours, and both movies. The first film, The Blues Brothers (1980), became a classic. People still remember the line: “Play it, Steve!”

He also worked with B.B. King, Rod Stewart, Brian May, Billy Gibbons, John Prine, and many more.
He continued playing live shows, including reunions with Booker T. & the M.G.’s.

Famous Songs

Cropper helped create many classic songs. Here are some of the most important ones:

• Green Onions – Booker T. & the M.G.’s (1962)
• In the Midnight Hour – Wilson Pickett (1965)
• Knock on Wood – Eddie Floyd (1966)
• Soul Man – Sam & Dave (1967), includes the shout: “Play it, Steve!”
• (Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding (1968)
• Time Is Tight – Booker T. & the M.G.’s (1969)

His riffs were simple, catchy, and unforgettable.

The Blues Brothers Era

In 1978, he joined the Blues Brothers band with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. Their album Briefcase Full of Blues went double platinum.
Cropper also appeared in the first Blues Brothers movie (1980) and the sequel (1998).
This period made him famous again and helped introduce Stax-style soul to younger fans.

Net Worth

At the time of his death in 2025, Cropper’s net worth was about $5 million.
He earned money from:

• Songwriting royalties
• Live performances
• Production work
• Signature guitar deals

He lived simply and invested carefully. He was never interested in flashy spending.

Awards and Honors

Cropper received many awards, such as:

• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1992)
• Songwriters Hall of Fame (2005)
• Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2007)
• Many Grammy nominations
• Tennessee Governor’s Arts Award (2025)
• Mention as “greatest living guitarist” by Mojo magazine

His guitars and work are preserved in the Smithsonian.

Personal Life

Cropper married twice. His first wife was Betty, and they had two children. His second wife, Angel, also had two children with him. He lived in Nashville from 1988 until his death. He was known for being humble, kind, and hardworking. He believed in family, faith, and keeping life simple.

Later Years

Even at 80+, he kept touring and recording. His album Friendlytown (2024) with “Steve Cropper & the Midnight Hour” received a 2025 Grammy nomination. He also worked on tribute albums, documentaries, and reunion shows.

Legacy

Steve Cropper leaves behind a huge musical legacy. His riffs changed soul music forever. He helped build the Stax sound. His style inspired many guitarists around the world.
Even though he is gone, his music will continue to play for generations.

FAQs

What was Steve Cropper’s role at Stax Records?

Steve Cropper played a central role at Stax Records as both a guitarist and a producer. He served as the label’s A&R (artists and repertoire) chief in the 1960s and was involved in nearly every record Stax released from 1961 to 1970. He helped create the signature Memphis soul sound by working closely with artists, shaping arrangements, and producing many of the songs he co-wrote.

Why did Steve Cropper leave Stax Records in 1970?

Steve Cropper left Stax Records in 1970 due to disagreements with the label’s new co-owner, Al Bell, over the company’s management direction. Although he had been one of the label’s most important creative forces, these internal issues led him to move on and eventually open his own studio before shifting to session work and joining the Blues Brothers band.

How did Steve Cropper influence later generations of musicians?

Steve Cropper’s guitar style and production work deeply influenced later generations, especially in hip-hop and R&B. Many of the tracks he played were widely sampled by artists such as Roxanne Shante and Raekwon. His clean, rhythmic playing and memorable riffs helped shape the foundation of Southern soul and continued to inspire musicians long after the original recordings.

What were some of Steve Cropper’s most famous co-written songs?

Steve Cropper co-wrote several iconic soul hits, including “In the Midnight Hour,” “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay,” “Mr. Pitiful,” “Green Onions,” “Soul Limbo,” and “Time Is Tight.” These songs became defining tracks of the Memphis soul sound and solidified Cropper’s legacy as one of the greatest guitarists and songwriters in American music.

Was Steve Cropper recognized by major music institutions during his lifetime?

Yes. Steve Cropper received multiple honors for his contributions to music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as a member of Booker T. & the MG’s. Rolling Stone ranked him 45th on its 2023 list of the “250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time,” and MOJO magazine once named him the second-best guitarist in the world, behind only Jimi Hendrix.

What was Steve Cropper’s involvement with the Blues Brothers?

Steve Cropper served as the lead guitarist for the Blues Brothers, the band formed by comedians John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. He played on their double-platinum album “Briefcase Full of Blues” and appeared in both films—The Blues Brothers (1980) and Blues Brothers 2000 (1998). His guitar work became a signature part of the group’s sound and contributed to their commercial success.