PLAY IT, STEVE! One Last Solo for Steve Cropper
Steve Cropper (10.21.41–12.03.25), the guitarist synonymous with Stax Records and lifetime member of Booker T and The MGs, has left us after an enormous body of work so firmly ingrained in the American songbook from the great tunes by Sam and Dave and by Otis Redding to his work with The Blues Brothers and many other artists.
His time at Stax saw him back Carla Thomas, Johnny Taylor, Albert King, The Staples Singers, Wilson Pickett, and Rufus Thomas. Many of the great Otis Redding recordings featured Booker T & The MGs, Isaac Hayes, and The Memphis Horns.
He also recorded with Art Garfunkel, Peter Frampton, Jose Feliciano, Jimmy Buffet, Richie Havens, Levon Helm, Al Kooper, Leon Russell, Rod Stewart, Ringo Starr, and dozens of other artists.
Here are just a few of the songs that made him stand out as player, producer, and songwriter. We were so lucky to have him for 84 years.
