Weekend Music

 

The music world lost legendary guitarist, songwriter, and session man Steve Cropper on December 3, at the age of 84. From the Associated Press:

The guitarist, songwriter and record producer was not known for flashy playing, but his spare, catchy licks and solid rhythm chops helped define Memphis soul music. At a time when it was common for white musicians to co-opt the work of Black artists and make more money from their songs, Cropper was that rare white artist willing to keep a lower profile and collaborate.

Cropper’s very name was immortalized in the 1967 smash “Soul Man,” recorded by Sam & Dave. Midway, singer Sam Moore calls out “Play it, Steve!” as Cropper pulls off a tight, ringing riff, a slide sound that Cropper used a Zippo lighter to create. The exchange was reenacted in the late 1970s when Cropper joined the John Belushi-Dan Aykroyd act “The Blues Brothers” and played on their hit cover of “Soul Man.” (our emphasis)

Cropper's work at Stax Records, where he was part of Booker T. & the MGs, also included playing with legends like Otis Redding (Cropper co-wrote "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay") and Wilson Pickett.  After leaving Stax, his list of collaborations runs from John Lennon and Ringo Starr, to Chicago, to Etta James, to BB King, to Dolly Parton, to the Staples Singers, to Paul Simon, to Roy Orbison... a catalogue of musicians that runs on and on.  His co-songwriting credits also include "In the Midnight Hour," and "Green Onions."  He made his mark, and then some.  R.I.P.