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Steve Cropper, guitarist of the soul group Booker T & the MGs, dies aged 84
The legendary guitarist Steve Cropper, the renowned guitarist with Booker T and the MGs, has passed away at the age of 84.
The guitar virtuoso, who performed on and co-wrote the classic song Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay and the hit track In the Midnight Hour, succumbed recently in Music City, Nashville.
Considered among the best supporting groups in soul music, the quartet the MGs was the core musical unit of the influential Memphis label Stax/Volt and is best remembered for their 1962 track Green Onions.
Cropper later became a member of the comedy music group The Blues Brothers in the late '70s and performed on their successful version of Soul Man.
"Steve was a deeply admired artist, writer, and producer whose immense talent touched countless people around the world," his family expressed in a statement.
"While we mourn the loss of a family man and friend, we are consoled knowing that Steve will endure through his music," they noted.
A reason for his passing was not immediately known.
A friend, Eddie Gore, recalled he was with Cropper on Tuesday in Nashville, where the guitarist was in the process of creating new music.
"He's such a kind human," Gore commented. "We were fortunate to have him, for sure."
An Illustrious Journey
Named the number two guitarist of all time by a music periodical in 1996, Cropper began working at the Stax label in 1961 at the age of 20.
A year later, the MGs were founded, 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 player," Cropper said in a previous conversation. "I take pride in the fact that I can play something over and over, while other guitar players don't want to even know about that. They refuse to play the same phrase 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 collaborated on Eddie Floyd's hit Knock on Wood.
According to historical accounts, he was "a part of virtually every record issued by Stax from late 1961 through 1970".
"We would often spend 15 hours a day in the studio," Cropper said. "I think we had a roster of artists signed to the label, so we had a very hectic schedule."
David Brown
Elara is a passionate writer and photographer who shares insights on creativity and mindful living through engaging storytelling.
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