Steve Cropper Biography
Steve Cropper, born
Steven Lee Cropper on October 21, 1941, in Dora, Missouri, USA, is an iconic American guitarist, songwriter, and producer known for his significant contributions to the Stax Records label and the development of Southern soul music in the 1960s. Raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Cropper found his love for music at an early age, picking up the guitar when he was just 14 years old. By the time he was in high school, Steve had formed his first band, The Royal Spades, which later evolved into the renowned group, The Mar-Keys.
In the late 1950s, Cropper gained popularity around the local music scene and started working with musicians like singer Carla Thomas and keyboardist Booker T. Jones. When the Mar-Keys scored their first hit, "Last Night", in 1961, Cropper became an integral part of the Stax Records' house band.
Teaming up with Booker T. & the M.G.'s, Cropper, Jones, bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn, and drummer Al Jackson Jr., achieved great success and became the backbone of Stax Records. They played on numerous hit records by various artists such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and Sam & Dave. The group's unique blend of blues, gospel, and soul music became a defining sound of the era and laid the foundation for future artists exploring these genres.
Cropper's skills as a guitarist and songwriter were highly sought after, and he co-wrote some of the most remarkable songs in soul music history, including Otis Redding's "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay",
Eddie Floyd's "Knock on Wood", and Wilson Pickett's "In the Midnight Hour". He also produced several iconic hits, like "Green Onions" by Booker T. & the M.G.'s and "Soul Man" by Sam & Dave.
In the 1970s, Cropper's talents as a producer became even more apparent as he worked alongside numerous artists, including
Rod Stewart,
Ringo Starr, and
John Lennon. Cropper and Dunn later joined the Blues Brothers, a musical project headed by actors
Dan Aykroyd and
John Belushi, which went on to achieve significant success and fame with the "Briefcase Full of Blues" album and the 1980 film "The Blues Brothers".
In the years that followed,
Steve Cropper continued to collaborate with a plethora of musicians from various genres, including
Neil Young,
Levon Helm, and
Tom Petty. His solo career blossomed in 1981 with the release of his debut album, "Played That Way", followed by several other acclaimed records showcasing his versatility and creativity as an artist.
Throughout his over six-decade-long career,
Steve Cropper has received numerous accolades, including a place in Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time and an induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Today, Cropper remains an influential figure in the music industry, having shaped the sounds of soul, R&B, and rock-and-roll for generations to come.
Our collection contains 9 quotes who is written / told by Steve.
Related authors: Jimi Hendrix (Musician), Rod Stewart (Musician), Neil Young (Musician), Levon Helm (Musician), Ringo Starr (Musician), Wolfman Jack (Entertainer), Eddie Floyd (Musician), Tom Petty (Musician), John Lennon (Musician), Dan Aykroyd (Comedian)
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