R.I.P. Steve Cropper

[Willie G. Moseley]

Age 84. A giant who was not only a musical influence, but validated the notion that someone's color should be irrelevant when it comes to music. 

And he first took that step in an integrated band in the early '60s, during the glory days of the original Civil Rights Movement. 

But his proprietary licks and tone were unforgettable. Someone else opined that he could hit one note and you'd know who it was. First guitar lick I ever learned was that immortal  twangy intro to "Hip Hug-Her"

Edited December 4, 2025 by Willie G. Moseley

[stratacus]

Legend. The Colonel. May he Rest in Peace.  

[crunchee]

The Blues Brothers movie was making the rounds on basic cable TV within the last week or so, so he'll live on in that, at least.  RIP.  

[alantig]

Absolute legend.  If it's a Stax record, odds are he's playing on it.

RIP, sir.

[ARM OF HAMER]

                                                                                   

 

[G Man]

A true legend indeed.  https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/03/arts/music/steve-cropper-dead.html

[velorush]

"Play it, Steve!"

[mudshark]

legend 

 

[kizanski]

I snapped these photos in August of 2005.

[Camstone]

6 hours ago, ARM OF HAMER said:

                                                                                   

 

Is that Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass?

[specialk]

22 minutes ago, Camstone said:

Is that Donald "Duck" Dunn on bass?

Yes

[tbonesullivan]

18 hours ago, crunchee said:

The Blues Brothers movie was making the rounds on basic cable TV within the last week or so, so he'll live on in that, at least.  RIP.  

Here's a funny tidbit: Every time I hear Aretha Franklin's "Think" on the radio, or at a sports game, it's the Blues Brothers version. It is just less produced and more energetic, IMHO.

I have a lot of the DVD / BluRay stuff from the Blues Brothers, and Cropper talked about when he got "the call" about the concept. He wasn't really sure it sounded like something he wanted to do. At the time he was doing A&R, working with a guitarist, and either got the call at that time, or told him about it, and when he heard that Cropper might not do it he said "well I'll do it!". If his talent was ready to drop everything and do it, he said should probably do it.

I mean, before the movie there was the concept itself and other things, and the original band was put together in 1978 or so. Getting a call about two comedians in New York who wanted to put together a backing band for a blues project wasn't exactly something most people would even think about or take super seriously.

[Ranger]

Steve playing with Booker in Norway, April 7, 1967. 

[hamerhead]

I think only BB King can play fewer notes and be as distinctive. Alotta funk for a white boy. And alotta respect.

R.I.P., Mr. Cropper.

 

[topekatj]

One must see the movie Monterey Pop and watch Booker T and the MGs back up Otis Redding. Cropper’s rig that night was an early ‘60’s slab board Tele into a Marshall plexi half stack. 

[Montelovesco]

Beside the fact that I got one of his Peavey sognature models here - is this a Hamer in the foreground? The pic was published today in a german newspaper…

 

 

[hamerhead]

Yep - a black Sunburst played by Matt 'Guitar' Murphy.

Edited December 5, 2025 by hamerhead

[stratacus]

On 12/4/2025 at 5:58 AM, ARM OF HAMER said:

                                                                                   

 

Great video, one of my favorites, Thanks for posting. 

Edited December 6, 2025 by stratacus