Steve Cropper, born in Missouri in 1941, became one of the defining creative forces of American soul. As a member of Booker T. & the M.G.’s — the Stax house band — he shaped the sound of the 1960s with clean, precise guitar lines that supported rather than dominated.
Cropper co-wrote “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” “In the Midnight Hour,” and dozens of genre-shaping recordings. His work extended into production, arrangement, and mentorship, influencing generations across soul, R&B, and rock.
His death at 84 marks the passing of a foundational architect of the Memphis sound.