Steve Cropper

American guitarist, songwriter, arranger and producer, born 21 October 1941 near Dora, Missouri (USA).

Founding member of both [i]The Mar-Keys[/i] (originally named [i]The Royal Spades[/i]) in the late 1950s, and [l=Stax]' in-house band [i]Booker T & The MG's[/i] in the early 1960s. Was successfully active for the label as an A&R manager, musician, one-time solo artist, engineer, producer and songwriter, co-writing classic songs such as [i]Knock On Wood[/i], [i]The Dock Of The Bay[/i] and [i]In the Midnight Hour[/i].

He left [i]Booker T & The MG's[/i] and the label in 1970, to embark on a career as a session musician and producer, working with artists like [a=Jeff Beck], [a=Tower Of Power] and [a=Ringo Starr]. In the early 1970s he belongs to the staff of [l=Clover Recorders]. In the 1980s he recorded two more solo albums. Cropper is also an original member of [i]The Blues Brothers Band[/i].

In the 21st Century he has kept on playing, and he has returned with solo releases or alongside Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals.