Legendary guitarist, songwriter and record producer
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BMI
Steve Cropper
Inductee
Born
Inducted
Anchored Stax house band and Blues Brothers
Steve Cropper made his musical debut on American Bandstand in 1961. Thus the legend began.
Just one year later, along with Booker T & the MG's, Cropper wrote the #1 smash hit "Green Onions." In the years to follow he co-wrote some of music's biggest classics such as "Knock On Wood," "Midnight Hour," "634-5789," and in 1967 the legendary “(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay," with friend Otis Redding, establishing Cropper as a songwriting genius.
Producing soon became second nature as "The Colonel" turned out timeless tracks by such renowned artists as Wilson Pickett, Tower of Power, John Mellencamp, Jose Feliciano, Poco, John Prine and Otis Redding. Cropper's exemplary guitar work can be heard on the albums of Rod Stewart, Peter Frampton, Art Garfunkel, Booker T and the MG's, Ringo Starr and Wynonna to name a few. He has toured with such greats as Neil Young and Jimmy Buffett.
In the late 70's Steve began his now famous work as an original of the Blues Brothers Band, appearing in both major motion pictures and numerous TV shows. He continues traveling with them today as well as touring with Booker T all the MG's. He currently resides in Nashville and participate an All Stars Band, composed of Cropper, Billy Preston, Rascals Felix Cavaliere and Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad.
In a recent issue of MOJO Magazine a list was compiled of the top 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time with Cropper being named number two, whose "playing is lean and mean, sympathetic and imaginative ... he finds a hole and compliments what everyone else is doing, leaving a hole or two in the process". Only Jimi Hendrix rated higher.
Cropper has been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame. In 2004 he received Tennessee's Arts and Humanities Life Time Achievement Award. Booker T and the MG's received the Governors Award in March 2005, saluting their contribution to the cultural life of Tennessee.
Undoubtedly, Steve Cropper has successfully covered his bases as songwriter/producer/guitarist. And lucky for us all-the legend continues.
