Steve Cropper dies at 84; legendary musician co-wrote (Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay' and played with Booker T. and the M.G.'s

"The guitarist, songwriter and record producer was not known for flashy playing, but his spare, catchy licks and solid rhythm chops helped define Memphis soul music. His very name was immortalized in the 1967 smash Soul Man, recorded by Sam & Dave. Midway, singer Sam Moore calls out Play it, Steve! as Cropper pulls off a characteristically tight, ringing riff, a slide sound that Cropper used a Zippo lighter to create."

"Cropper was born near Dora, Missouri, but moved with his family to Memphis when he was 9 and got his first mail-order guitar at age 14, according to his website, playitsteve.com. Chuck Berry, Jimmy Reed and Chet Atkins were among his early influences. Cropper was a Stax artist before the label was even called Stax, which Jim Stewart and Estelle Axton had founded as Satellite Records in 1957."

Steve Cropper, a lean, soulful guitarist, songwriter and record producer, died in Nashville at age 84. He helped anchor Booker T. and the M.G.'s and played a central role at Stax Records. He co-wrote classics including Green Onions, (Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay and In the Midnight Hour. Cropper's spare, catchy licks and solid rhythm chops helped define Memphis soul. His name appears in the 1967 hit Soul Man. Cropper used a Zippo lighter for a signature slide sound and later joined The Blues Brothers. He moved to Memphis at age nine and was influenced by Chuck Berry, Jimmy Reed and Chet Atkins.

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