We’re pouring one out for Steve Cropper, the man who, whether you knew it or not, gave a massive dose of blues and R&B muscle to some of the greatest songs ever recorded. He passed away at 84, leaving behind a blueprint for how to blend grit and soul into pure gold.
As the Tele master and co-founder of Booker T. & the M.G.’s, Cropper was the engine room of Stax Records, backing up everyone from Otis Redding to Sam & Dave. He was the guy in the studio who had the ears and the chops to make the whole thing work. He co-wrote certified blues-soul classics like “Knock On Wood” and “Soul Man,” proving his genius extended way past just his playing.
Later, he became a hero to a new generation as a core member of the Blues Brothers band, bringing that authentic Memphis sound to a massive, global audience. His work is a beautiful testament to the power of integrated music—a white kid from Missouri and a Black rhythm section creating an American sound that transcended everything. His legacy isn’t just in the Hall of Fame nods; it’s in every single, perfectly phrased blues-soul lick that keeps the garage rocking.
We keep losing legends.
