Steve Cropper, Legendary Guitarist for Booker T & the MGs, Otis Redding and the Blues Brothers, Dies at 84

The death of legendary guitarist Steve Cropper was confirmed by his family on Wednesday. He was 84. As a foundational architect of the Memphis soul sound, Cropper’s legacy was cemented through his multifaceted roles as a session player, producer, and songwriter at the iconic Stax Records, where his crisp, economical guitar work became synonymous with the label's raw, emotive style.

Though best known as a core member of the groundbreaking interracial band Booker T. & the MG's, his impact resonated across the genre. He was the essential instrumental force on a vast array of definitive recordings, crafting guitar parts and producing for giants like Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and Sam & Dave. His songwriting portfolio reads like a soul music hall of fame, including the MG's instrumental anthem "Green Onions," Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," and Pickett's "In the Midnight Hour." In a notable 1996 assessment, Mojo magazine ranked him as the second-greatest guitarist ever, just behind Jimi Hendrix, specifically praising his impeccable rhythm and purposeful phrasing. Music historian Dr. Emily Carter notes, "Cropper's approach redefined studio musicianship. He operated not as a soloist seeking the spotlight, but as a sonic architect, building unforgettable hooks from the rhythm section up."

Born in Missouri in 1941, Cropper relocated to Memphis in his youth. His early technique was deeply informed by R&B pioneers like Lowman Pauling of The "5" Royales. While still a teenager, he helped form a group that would become integral to Stax Records—a label famously run out of a converted cinema by siblings Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton. The label's first major hit emerged from a studio lull in 1962, when a casual jam between Cropper, organist Booker T. Jones, drummer Al Jackson Jr., and bassist Lewie Steinberg crystallized into "Green Onions." This smash hit not only launched Booker T. & the MG's (with Donald "Duck" Dunn later joining) but also established the template for the Southern soul instrumental.

Cropper's dual role as MG's guitarist and Stax's A&R director made him the central nervous system of the label during its 1960s heyday. The MG's served as the de facto house band, providing the rhythmic backbone for countless sessions and starring in Stax's seminal 1967 European tour. After leaving Stax in 1970, he remained active, with the MG's reuniting periodically. He reached a new generation in the late 1970s and 80s as lead guitarist for The Blues Brothers, the comedy-music phenomenon created by John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. His performances on their hit records and in the blockbuster films were instrumental in reintroducing classic soul and R&B to a massive, mainstream audience.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Booker T. & the MG's in 1992, Cropper maintained a prolific career. He released several solo albums, including 2011's "Dedicated," a tribute to his early influence, Lowman Pauling. His life's work endures as a masterclass in musical service and economical expression. Steve Cropper is survived by his wife, Angel, and his four children.