Booker T. & the M.G.'s and Stax Records Guitarist Dies

He was the quiet force behind the sound that set souls on fire — but now, the music world is in mourning.

In a sombre and deeply emotional announcement that's left the music world reeling, Steve Cropper, the legendary guitarist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who helped shape the iconic Memphis soul sound, has passed away at the age of 84.

The family confirmed the devastating loss in a statement released on Wednesday, 3 December — a day now etched in sorrow for many.

"The Cropper family announces with profound sadness the passing of Stephen Lee Cropper, who died peacefully in Nashville today at the age of 84," the heartbreaking statement read.

'He Touched Millions of Lives': A Music Giant Falls Silent

Cropper, known across the globe for his gritty, unforgettable work with Booker T. and the M.G.'s at the legendary Stax Records, leaves behind a towering legacy that changed American music forever. His soul-drenched riffs, heard in hits that defined a generation, made him not just a musician — but a monumental force of cultural transformation.

His family's words struck a deeply emotional chord — a raw reminder that while the man may be gone, his spirit echoes on in every note, every groove, and every soul he moved.

"Steve was a beloved musician, songwriter, and producer whose extraordinary talent touched millions of lives around the world," the family wrote.

They continued, "While we mourn the loss of a husband, father, and friend, we find comfort knowing that Steve will live forever through his music. Every note he played, every song he wrote, and every artist he inspired ensures that his spirit and artistry will continue to move people for generations to come."

Final Days in Nashville: A Gentle Exit for a Gentle Giant

Though no cause of death has been released at this time, close friend and longtime associate Eddie Gore offered a glimpse into Cropper's final days. Speaking to the Associated Press, Gore revealed that the music icon had recently suffered a fall and was recovering at a rehabilitation facility in Nashville.

Shockingly, Cropper was still creating — working on new music — until just before his death. "He's such a good human," Gore said. "We were blessed to have him, for sure."

From a Missouri Farm Boy to a Soul Music Powerhouse

Before he became a part of the backbone of Southern soul, Cropper was just a wide-eyed boy growing up near Dora, Missouri. But everything changed when, at just nine years old, his family relocated to Memphis — the city that would soon become the heartbeat of his destiny.

At 14, armed with a mail-order guitar, Cropper set out on a musical journey that would span decades, generations, and genres. Influenced by trailblazers like Chuck Berry, Jimmy Reed, and Chet Atkins, the teen guitar prodigy didn't just dream of stardom — he built it, one chord at a time.

Birth of a Sound — And a Legacy at Stax

Long before anyone had heard the name "Stax," Cropper was already making waves. Back in 1957, Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton founded Satellite Records, and by the early 1960s, they had snapped up Cropper and his instrumental group, the Royal Spades.

The band would soon rebrand as the Mar-Keys, and score a hit with the 1961 classic "Last Night." That success didn't just launch their careers — it helped build Stax Records into the soul institution it would become.

While some Mar-Keys members became part of the Stax horn section, Cropper found his groove with Booker T. and the M.G.'s, alongside Booker T. Jones (keys), Donald "Duck" Dunn (bass), and Al Jackson (drums) — a racially integrated quartet that would make history with "Green Onions," "Hang 'Em High," and "Time Is Tight."

No Color at Stax: A Musician With a Mission

At a time when segregation still gripped much of the country, Stax Records was a sanctuary — and Cropper made it clear: music had no color.

"When you walked in the door at Stax, there was absolutely no color," he told the Associated Press in 2020. "We were all there for the same reason — to get a hit record."

And get hits they did. Backing legends like Otis Redding and Sam & Dave, and even recording with Wilson Pickett, Booker T. and the M.G.'s weren't just a band — they were the soul engine behind a revolution.

But unlike many white musicians of the era, Cropper wasn't there to exploit or overshadow Black artistry — he was there to honor it. "I listen to the other musicians and the singer," Cropper said. "I'm not listening to just me […]. I play around all that stuff. That's what I do. That's my style."

From Church Radios to 'The Blues Brothers'

His journey started with a simple twist of the radio dial. As a child in Memphis, Cropper recalled the first time he heard gospel music and rhythm and blues — a moment that would shape his soul forever.

"I had never really heard gospel music, or rhythm and blues," he shared. "When I turned the radio on in Memphis, there was a gospel program on. And I never looked back."

With help from his friend Charlie Freeman, who relayed guitar lessons back to him, Cropper quickly mastered the instrument. The two formed Royal Spades, laying the groundwork for what would become the legendary Mar-Keys.

But Cropper's story didn't stop at Stax. Even after leaving the label in September 1970, he remained a creative force, collaborating with Levon Helm, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart, John Prine, Peter Frampton, and others.

Then came Hollywood. Cropper made a memorable appearance in the 1980 cult classic "The Blues Brothers," playing himself alongside Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. Fans might not have recognized him from his records — but they never forgot his face from the film.

A Lifetime of Accolades, A Legacy That Will Never Die

After settling in Nashville, Cropper continued to write, play, and inspire. His contributions were immortalized in 1992 when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Booker T. & the M.G.'s.

He won two Grammy Awards, and in 2007, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award — a fitting tribute to a man who spent his life putting everyone else in the spotlight.

A Final Note That Will Never Fade

As tributes pour in from across the music world, fans are left mourning a man who was more than a guitarist — he was the soul of soul, the silent genius behind hits that soundtracked heartbreak, hope, rebellion, and rhythm.

He may have died peacefully, but his music will continue to roar through the ages.