Steven Lee Cropper, sometimes known as “The Colonel“, was an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer. Cropper was born in Dora, Missouri on October 21, 1941. He was raised in Dora and West Plains before moving with his family to Memphis at age 9. In Memphis, he was exposed to black church music, which had an impact on him musically. Cropper acquired his first guitar at age 14. He attended Messick High School. Cropper and guitarist Charlie Freeman formed the Royal Spades, who eventually became the Mar-Keys. The name referred to the marquee outside Stax studios, known as Satellite Records at the time. Eventually, the Mar-Keys began playing on sessions and had a hit single of their own with “Last Night” in 1961.
Besides being impressed with the young guitarist’s playing, Stax Records president Jim Stewart saw professionalism and maturity beyond Cropper’s years. When American Records founder Chips Moman left Stax, Cropper became the company’s A&R man. He became a founding member of the Stax house band Booker T. & the M.G.’s, along with Hammond organ player Booker T. Jones, bassist Lewie Steinberg (who was replaced by Donald “Duck” Dunn soon thereafter) and drummer Al Jackson Jr. As a house guitarist, he played on many recordings such as “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay”, co-written with and performed by Otis Redding and Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man” on which he was mentioned by name. When Cropper played on the song’s remake by the Blues Brothers, lead singer John Belushi again mentioned Cropper. On the early Stax recordings, Cropper is known to have played a 1956 Fender Esquire and later used a blonde Fender Telecaster.
At this time, Cropper’s fame was not limited to the United States. The Beatles favoured Cropper’s playing, and his production on Otis Redding records. John Lennon and Paul McCartney made tentative plans to record in Memphis and to work with the guitarist. However Brian Epstein cancelled the sessions, citing security problems. Along with influential work with Booker T & The MG’s, 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. In 1969, Cropper released his first solo album, With a Little Help from My Friends. When Cropper left Stax in the fall of 1970, the label lost one of its most successful producers and songwriters. Cropper then set up TMI Studios with Jerry Williams and former Mar-Key Ronnie Stoots. He worked with many musicians including Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart, John Prine, and Jeff Beck.
By 1975, Cropper had moved to Los Angeles and along with Jones, Jackson, and Dunn, reformed Booker T. & the M.G.’s. Jackson, whom Cropper called “the greatest drummer to ever walk the Earth,” was murdered in his Memphis home before the group could make their comeback.In 1978, Cropper and Dunn became members of Levon Helm’s RCO All-Stars and then went on to figure prominently in the Blues Brothers Band with drummer Willie Hall. This led to two albums, appearances in the movies The Blues Brothers and Blues Brothers 2000, and the movies’ soundtracks. Cropper also re-recorded “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” (1979) for Sammy Hagar. Cropper lived in Los Angeles for the next thirteen years before moving to Nashville and reuniting with the Blues Brothers Band in 1988. Cropper has a cameo in the “Weird Al” Yankovic mockumentary The Compleat Al (1985), where he plays a bit of “Soul Man” in an unsuccessful attempt to join Al’s band.
In 1991, Cropper played on two separate nights of the Guitar Legends, Seville 1991 concerts as part of the celebration of Seville hosting the 1992 Expo exhibition. The concerts over five nights included some of the world’s best guitarists such as Cropper, Keith Richards, BB King, Robert Cray, Eric Clapton, Bo Diddley, Brian May, Albert Collins, Bob Dylan, Joe Satriani, and Steve Vai. In 1992, Booker T. & the M.G.’s were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Cropper appeared with a new line-up of the group for the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary concert, in October 1992 at Madison Square Garden, where they performed Dylan’s songs in tribute. The concert was recorded and later released as The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration (1993). In 1996, Cropper was named “the greatest living guitar player” by Britain’s Mojo magazine. When asked what he thought of Cropper, the guitarist Keith Richards said, “Perfect, man.” In February 1998, Cropper released The Interview – Play It, Steve! which was a series of recording meant to reflect on his own career. The album title came from the “shout” of the title phrase by Moore on Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man” and later by John Belushi (with the Blues Brothers).
In June 2004, Cropper appeared with Dunn and Jones as the backing band for Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, held at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Others who appeared included Joe Walsh and David Hidalgo. On June 9, 2005, Cropper was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He co-produced The Memphis Album (2007), recorded by Australian soul singer Guy Sebastian. Cropper also played guitar on the subsequent promotional tour, which was recorded and released two years later as The Memphis Tour. On March 2, 2008, Cropper and Sebastian were guests on the Vega Sunday Session with host Mark Gable from the rock band the Choirboys. On July 29, 2008, Cropper and Felix Cavaliere released the album Nudge It Up a Notch. In August 2008, Cropper appeared at the Rhythm Festival alongside the Animals. On November 12, 2009, EMP/SFM presented Cropper with their “Founders Award”. On October 17, 2010, Cropper was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
On August 9, 2011, Cropper released the album Dedicated which was his tribute to the “5” Royales. In 2013 he was a special guest at selected concerts as part of Peter Frampton’s Guitar Circus Tour, including the first performance which featured Frampton, Robert Cray, and Vince Gill. Cropper appeared in April of that year with Jones, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, as well as Booker T. & the MG’s at Eric Clapton’s 4th Crossroads Guitar Festival at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In November 2021, Cropper’s Fire It Up was nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category. In August 2024, under the band name Steve Cropper and the Midnight Hour, Cropper released the album Friendlytown. Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top is featured on lead guitar throughout the album, while Brian May of Queen guests on the single “Too Much Stress”. Cropper died in Nashville on December 3, 2025 at the age of 84.
