Legendary Guitarist Steve Cropper Dies at 84

Steve Cropper, the legendary guitarist who helped define the sound of Memphis soul music through his work with Stax Records and Booker T. & the MG's, has died aged 84.

His family announced his peaceful passing in Nashville on Wednesday, though a cause of death was not immediately disclosed (as per Rolling Stone).

Cropper's influence on American music cannot be overstated. As the founding guitarist of Stax Records' house band during the label's golden era, he played on some of the most enduring soul classics ever recorded. His distinctive guitar work graced tracks including Sam & Dave's "Soul Man", Wilson Pickett's "In the Midnight Hour", and Booker T. & The MG's instrumental hit "Green Onions" — a song he also co-wrote.

Perhaps his most celebrated collaboration came with Otis Redding on "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay", where Cropper contributed the track's memorable guitar chords and rhythm to complement Redding's introspective lyrics. The song, which reached number one and achieved platinum status, was completed by Cropper in the immediate aftermath of Redding's tragic death in December 1967. "One of the hardest things I ever had to do was mix that song," Cropper recalled. "I stayed up 24 hours mixing the song."

The Missouri-born musician moved to Memphis as a child, where exposure to gospel music shaped his musical foundation. As a teenager, he co-founded the Mar-Keys, whose 1961 instrumental "Last Night" became one of the first hits for the newly renamed Stax label. The Mar-Keys evolved into the label's house band, with members later rebranded as Booker T. & The MG's for their own releases.

Following his nearly decade-long tenure at Stax, Cropper relocated to Los Angeles and established himself as a sought-after session musician. He contributed to albums by John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Leon Russell, and Rod Stewart, while also becoming associated with the Blues Brothers through both their recordings and the 1980 film. His production credits during the 1970s included work with the Jeff Beck Group, John Prine, and John Mellencamp.

Rolling Stone recognised Cropper's contributions by placing him at number 45 on their list of the 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, noting his "spare, soulful playing" and describing his work as "the quintessence of soul guitar." Despite his significant contributions, Cropper remained modest about his role, once stating: "I don't care about being centre stage. I'm a band member, always been a band member."

Cropper was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as a member of Booker T. & the MG's and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.