The iconic guitarist Steve Cropper, guitarist of the soul group Booker T & the MGs, has died at the age of 84
Steve Cropper, the celebrated guitarist with the iconic band Booker T & the MGs, has passed away at the age of 84.
The musician, who played on and helped pen Otis Redding's Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay and the hit track In the Midnight Hour, died on Wednesday in Nashville.
Often cited among the finest studio bands in soul music, the group Booker T & the MGs was the core musical unit of the historic Memphis label Stax Records and is best remembered for their classic 1962 track Green Onions.
Cropper also joined the comedy music group The Blues Brothers in the late 1970s and played on their popular rendition of Soul Man.
"Steve was a cherished musician, songwriter, and producer whose immense talent touched countless people around the world," his family said in a statement.
"While we mourn the loss of a family man and friend, we take solace knowing that Steve will endure through his music," they added.
A specific cause was not released at this time.
A friend, Eddie Gore, recalled he was with Cropper recently in Nashville, where the guitarist had been working on new songs.
"He's such a good human," Gore said. "We were fortunate to have him, for sure."
An Illustrious Journey
Ranked the runner-up for guitarist of all time by a UK publication in 1996, Cropper started his career at Stax in 1961 at the age of 20.
A year later, the MGs were formed, consisting of keyboardist Booker T Jones, drummer Al Jackson and bassist Lewie Steinberg - who was replaced 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 guitarist," Cropper remarked in a past interview. "I take pride in the fact that I can play something repeatedly, while other guitar players avoid that approach. They won't even play the same lick twice."
In addition to being a guitarist, Cropper was a prolific songwriter, and in addition to Dock of the Bay and In the Midnight Hour, he helped write Eddie Floyd's hit Knock on Wood.
According to historical accounts, he was "a part of nearly all record issued by Stax from the fall of 1961 through 1970".
"We would truly spend long days in the studio," Cropper said. "I think we had nearly 20 artists on the roster, so we had a very hectic schedule."
