Legendary Guitarist Steve Cropper Dies at 84

Steve Cropper, the guitarist-songwriter whose work with Stax Records’ house band Booker T. & the MG's helped define the sound of southern soul in the 1960s and ’70s, died at the age of 84.

Cropper passed away on December 3, 2025 in Nashville, his family confirmed through the leadership of Soulsville Foundation, which runs the former Stax Records site.

He had recently suffered a fall and was receiving care at a rehabilitation facility, but the family did not issue an official cause of death.

Born in 1941 in Missouri and raised in Memphis, Cropper bought his first guitar at 14 and later joined an early band that evolved into Booker T. & the MG’s when the label shifted from its original formation as Satellite Records to Stax.

As lead guitarist he contributed to dozens of recordings by Stax and co-wrote songs that became standards of soul music.

Among the landmark songs bearing his imprint are instrumentals such as Green Onions and vocal hits including (Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay, In the Midnight Hour and Soul Man.

His guitar work, unflashy but deeply felt, helped shape the “Memphis soul” sound that earned Stax fame.

Cropper’s career extended beyond Stax. He later joined the band The Blues Brothers, appearing in their films and tours, broadening his reach to rock and pop audiences.

Honors in his career include induction into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1992), membership in Songwriters Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Family members Surviving him include his wife Angel and four children Andrea, Cameron, Stevie and Ashley.