Legendary guitarist Steve Cropper dies aged 84

(Web Desk) - Guitarist Steve Cropper, who left an indelible impression on Memphis soul music as an instrumentalist, producer and songwriter at Stax Records, has died, his son Cameron confirmed to Variety on Wednesday. He was 84.

Cropper was best known to the public for his distinctive, economical lead/rhythm work in the hit-making interracial instrumental combo Booker T. & the MG’s, but his playing also fired dozens of tracks – some of which he produced or engineered — cut at Stax Records’ studio by such soul greats as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Rufus and Carla Thomas and Eddie Floyd.

In 1996, British music monthly Mojo named him the second-greatest guitarist of all time, behind Jimi Hendrix.

The publication said, “Cropper puts everything he’s got, which is considerable, at the disposal of the artist and the song: metronome-crisp timing; deadly-accurate chops; earth-moving bottom-line riffs; sharp, nasty little licks and grace notes.

His solos never outstay their welcome or leave you wanting less.”

Cropper was born Oct. 21, 1941, in Dora, MO. His family moved to Memphis when he was nine. He began playing guitar at 14; among his influences as a player, he cited 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.

He is survived by his second wife Angel and their two children, and by two children from his first marriage.