STEVE CROPPER, guitarist and member of Booker T. & the M.G.'s, dies at 84

Thursday, December 4, 2025 -Legendary guitarist, songwriter, and producer Steve Cropper has died at the age of 84. He passed away on December 3, 2025, in Nashville, as confirmed by his family through the Soulsville Foundation, which also runs the Stax Records Museum of American Soul Music.

Cropper was a pioneering figure in Memphis soul, serving as the guitarist for the Stax house band and for Booker T. & the M.G.’s. His distinctive, soulful guitar style helped shape the sound of an era — lending his talent to timeless tracks such as Green Onions, (Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay, and In the Midnight Hour.

Beyond his work at Stax, Cropper enjoyed a long and varied career — from his role in the cult‑classic band The Blues Brothers to decades of songwriting, producing, and solo recordings. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and winner of multiple Grammy Awards, his influence on soul, blues, R&B, and rock music remains immeasurable.

Steve Cropper’s death marks the end of an era, but his music endures, continuing to inspire artists and listeners around the world.