Almanac Music: Vale – Steve Cropper: A music legend
Steve Cropper (Wikipedia)
Steve Cropper (October 21, 1941 – December 3, 2025), one of the music world’s most influential musicians and acclaimed guitar players, songwriter, session player, and record producer passed away in Nashville on Wednesday 3 December.
Booker T. & the M.G.’S (Wikipedia)
He will be best remembered as the guitarist of the Stax Records house band, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, backing many artists such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, and Johnnie Taylor. Steve also produced many of the records for these artists.
Steve Cropper co-wrote ‘Knock on Wood’ with Eddie Floyd, ‘In the Midnight Hour’ with Wilson Pickett and ‘(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’ with Otis Redding, and he won two Grammy Awards from his seven nominations.
Although Steve Cropper will be sadly missed by all who love music his legacy will live on.
More from Col Ritchie can be read Here
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About Colin Ritchie
Retired teacher who enjoys following the Bombers, listening to music especially Bob Dylan, reading, and swimming.
Hi Col.
I noticed that Steve’s guitar can be heard on a few Aussie artists over the years when they ventured into Nashville:
Jimmy Barnes – Soul Searchin’ (2016)
Brian Cadd – White On White (1976)
Guy Sebastian – The Memphis Album (2007)
(Note: Guy included the 3 big Steve Cooper co-write hits: ‘In The Midnight Hour’; ‘Knock On Wood’; ‘Dock of the Bay’ on his album)
Broderick Smith – Suitcase (1992)
Steve Cropper, hell Booker T and the MGs, singling out Al Jackson Jr, oh, and the Mar-keys, well, why not go the whole hog and just say Stax are legendary, way beyond 95% of the rock bands that formed in the wake of the Beatles and The Stones.
Colin, I know you’re a pretty relaxed guy and a deep, deep lover of music so I love the casual way you mention three of the songs Steve cowrote. They just happen to be three of the greatest songs in the rocknsoul cannon.
Here are some others he cowrote (and name any artist besides Lennon, McCartney and Dylan that come close to this catalogue):
634-5789
Broke Down Piece of Man
Don’t Fight It
Fa, Fa, Fa, Fa, Fa (Sad Song)
Green Onions
Mr Pitiful
Ninety Nine and a Half (Won’t Do)
Raise Your Hand (which was a staple Springsteen song touring Born in the USA)
Seesaw
Sookie Sookie
Soul Limbo
The Happy Song
The Hunter
Time is Tight
You Don’t Know What You Mean To Me
Songwriting was only his second best skill! His guitar is the fabric of so many hits, songs that are literally the wallpaper of our lives. I’m talking Soul Man, to I’ve Been Loving You too Long to Johnny Taylor’s Who’s Making Love to Rod Stewarts Tonight’s the Night and so many more. Big farewell to this legendary artist.
Finally, I came across this interview which is pretty cool: https://sonicbreadcrumbs.substack.com/p/steve-cropper-interview-stax?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=3oy9a&triedRedirect=true