Even if you don’t know his name, you know the songs. “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay.” “Knock on Wood.” “In the Midnight Hour.” “Green Onions.” Those classics are just a slice of what Steve Cropper gave to rock & roll and R&B.
The legendary guitarist and songwriter passed away last week, leaving a legacy that runs straight through the heart of 1960s soul. His years at Stax Records put him in the studio with a who’s who of the era — Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, and many more — and his work with Booker T. & the MG’s helped define what instrumental soul could be.
Below is just a small sampling of his work: vintage Booker T. & the MG’s tearing through “Green Onions,” and Cropper stepping forward on “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay,” the timeless hit he co-wrote with Otis Redding.
Plus two bonus videos of Cropper talking with Ron Wood about some of the classics that he’s written and recorded. We‘ll keep following the dots, Steve.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.