Guitarist Steve Cropper — a legendary soul guitarist who played with the likes of Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Sam & Dave and more — has died. He was 84.

Cropper’s son confirmed his father’s death to Variety on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Born Oct. 21, 1941, in Dora, Missouri, Cropper began playing the guitar at 14. Among his influences were Lowman Pauling of the R&B group the “5” Royales, Billy Butler of organist Bill Doggett’s combo and Bobby “Blue” Bland’s longtime accompanist Wayne Bennett, according to Variety.

The musician rose to fame in the early ‘60s after forming the interracial collective Booker T. & the MG’s. The group played on with dozens of soul greats such as the Staple Singers, Aretha Franklin, Rufus and Carla Thomas and Eddie Floyd. Overall, Cropper’s bass playing has app

See Full Page