One of the most admired guitarists of all time, Steve Cropper, the legendary musician for Booker T. and the M.G.’s and co-writer of iconic soul hits, has died at the age of 84, metro.co.uk.
The Grammy Award winner, who was a founding member of the influential Stax Records house band, passed away on Wednesday in Nashville.
His death was confirmed by Pat Mitchell Worley, president and CEO of the Soulsville Foundation, who was informed by Cropper’s family, according to the Associated Press.
‘Steve was a beloved musician, songwriter, and producer whose extraordinary talent touched millions of lives around the world,’ his family said in a statement. ‘While we mourn the loss of a husband, father, and friend, we find comfort knowing that Steve will live forever through his music.’
No cause of death has been officially shared. However, Cropper’s longtime associate Eddie Gore told AP he was with the musician on Tuesday at a Nashville rehabilitation facility, following a recent fall. Gore also claimed that Cropper had been working on new music at the time of his death.
Cropper’s impact on soul music is immeasurable. He famously co-wrote and played on Otis Redding’s defining track, Sitting’ On the Dock of the Bay, and Wilson Pickett’s In the Midnight Hour. He also played on Sam & Dave’s Soul Man.
With Booker T. and the M.G.’s – best known for their iconic 1962 instrumental hit Green Onions – Cropper helped define the sound of soul and R&B. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
Beyond Stax, the acclaimed guitarist was also known for his work with the Blues Brothers, playing on two of their albums and appearing in the films The Blues Brothers and Blues Brothers 2000.
He also collaborated with a wide array of stars, including John Lennon, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Ringo Starr.
In recognition of his talent, Mojo music magazine named Cropper the second-best guitarist of all time, and he was placed at number 45 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 250 greatest guitarists.
Cropper was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005. He is survived by his wife, Angel, and their children, Andrea and Cameron.
•Featured image by Getty
