On December 3, 2025, Steven Lee Cropper died aged 84. He was musician, songwriter, record producer and actor, known as “The Colonel”. He was the guitarist of the “Stax Records” house band, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, which backed artists such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, and Johnnie Taylor. He was also member of the Blues Brothers Band, and recorded and performed with many other artists including Alabama, Jimmy Barnes, William Bell, Barbi Benton, Big Star, Stephen Bishop, Frank Black, Bobby and the Midnites, Booker T. & MG.’s, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Jimmy Buffett, Billy Burnette, Brian Cadd, Cate Brothers, Chicago, David Clayton Thomas, A. J. Croce, Patti Dahlstrom, Delaney & Bonnie, Ned Doheny, Yvonne Elliman, Jose Feliziano, Eddie Floyd, Peter Frampton, Richie Furay, Art Garfunkel, Cyndi Grecco, Levon Helm, Chris Hillman, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Etta James, Wynonna Judd, Albert King, B.B. King, Al Kooper, John Lennon, Ann Margret, Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr., Craig Morgan, Aaron Neville, Wayne Newton, Harry Nilsson, John Oates, Nigel Olsson, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Wilson Pickett, Michel Polnareff, John Prine, Otis Redding, Bruce Roberts, Leon Russell, Sanford & Townsend, Leo Sayer, Poncho Sanchez, Guy Sebastian, Neil Sedaka, Paul Shaffer, Paul Simon, Percy Sledge, Broderick Smith, The Soul Children, The Staple Singers, Mavis Staple, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart, Livingston Taylor, Carla Thomas, Mickey Thomas, Wendy Waldman, Tower of Power, The Manhattan Transfer, Dale Watson and Jerry Lynn Williams. Magazine “Rolling Stone” ranked him 36th on its list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists”. Cropper won two “Grammy Awards”, and as leader or co-leader Cropper released 13 albums.
Tag Archives: Chris Hillman
The Flying Burrito Brothers: Last Of the Red Hot Burritos
In May 1972, “A&M” label released “Last of the Red Hot Burritos”, the fourth Flying Burrito Brothers (The) album. It was recorded in 1972, and was produced by Jim Dickson.
Personnel:
- Chris Hillman – vocals, bass, mandolin
- Rick Roberts – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Al Perkins – pedal steel guitar, lead electric guitar
- Kenny Wertz – vocals, guitar, banjo
- Michael Clarke – drums
- Byron Berline – fiddle
- Roger Bush – vocals, acoustic bass, acoustic guitar
- Earl P. Ball or Spooner Oldham – piano
Track listing:
- Christine’s Tune – Chris Hillman, Gram Parsons
- Six Days on the Road – Earl Green, Carl Montgomery
- My Uncle – Chris Hillman, Gram Parsons
- Dixie Breakdown – Jimmie Lunceford, Don Reno
- Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down – Louise Certain, Gladys Stacey Flatt, Jerry Organ, Wayne Walker
- Orange Blossom Special – Ervin T. Rouse
- Ain’t That a Lot of Love – Homer Banks, Deanie Parker
- High Fashion Queen – Chris Hillman, Gram Parsons
- Don’t Forget It – Wilson Pickett, Steve Cropper
- Hot Burrito #2 – Chris Ethridge, Gram Parsons
- Losing Game – James Carr, Dennis Weaver
Gene Clark And Carla Oslon: So Rebellious A Lover
In April 1987, “Rhino” label released “So Rebellious a Lover”, album by Gene Clark and Carla Olson. It was recorded in 1986, at “Control Center” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Michael Huey.
Personnel:
- Gene Clark – lead vocals, guitar
- Carla Olson – lead vocals
- Otha Young – acoustic guitar
- Ed Black – pedal steel guitar
- George Callins – lead guitar
- Stephen McCarthy – dobro, lap steel guitar
- Randy Fuller – banjo
- Chris Hillman – mandolin
- Pat Robinson – vocals, piano
- Tom Junior Morgan – piano, flute
- Skip Edwards – keyboards
- Roscoe Beck – bass
- Joe Read – bass
- Michael Huey – drums, percussion
- Phil Seymour – vocals, drums
- Hans Christian – cello
- Rick Novack – recording
- Guy Roche – recording
- Bob Saldana – recording, mixing
- Michael Huey – mixing
- Gary Nichamin – photography
- Janis Garza – photography
- Saul Davis – A&R, concept
Track listing:
- The Drifter – Carla Olson, Joe Read, Tom Juniot Morgan
- Gypsy Rider – Gene Clark
- Every Angel in Heaven – Carla Olson, George Callins
- Del Gato – Gene Clark, Rick Clark
- Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos) – Martin Hoffman, Woody Guthrie
- Fair and Tender Ladies – Gene Clark, traditional
- Almost Saturday Night – John Fogerty
- I’m Your Toy – Hot Burrito #1 – Gram Parsons, Chris Ethridge
- Are We Still Making Love – Carla Olson
- Why Did You Leave Me Today – Gene Clark
- Don’t It Make You Want to Go Home – Joe South
Black Francis: NonStopErotik
On March 30, 2010, “Cooking Vinyl” label released “NonStopErotik”, the sixteenth Black Francis album. It was recorded in 2009, at “Ocean Way Studios” in Los Angeles, “RAK Studios” in London, “Studios G.” in Brooklyn, and was produced by Eric Drew Feldman and Black Francis.
Personnel:
- Black Francis – vocals, guitar
- Dave Phillips – guitar
- Todd O’Keefe – vocals, guitar, bass
- Eric Drew Feldman – keyboards, bass
- Tony Maimone – bass, engineer assistant
- David Henderson – drums
- Todd Demma – drums
- Jack Kidney – percussion
- Wesley Siedman – engineer
- Howard ‘Head’ Bullivant – engineer
- Jonathan Sterling – engineer assistant
- Robbie Nelson – engineer assistant
- Helen Atkinson – engineer assistant
- John Dent – mastering
- Mark Lemhouse – design
- Aaron Lucy – photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Black Francis, except where noted.
- Lake of Sin
- O My Tidy Sum
- Rabbits
- Wheels – Chris Hillman, Gram Parsons
- Dead Man’s Curve
- Corrina
- Six Legged Man
- Wild Son
- When I Go Down on You
- Nonstoperotik
- Cinema Star
Laura Marling: Song for Our Daughter
On April 10, 2020, “Chrysalis” label released “Song for Our Daughter”, the seventh Laura Marling studio album. It was recorded in 2019, at “Monnow Valley Studio” in Wales, “Three Crows Studio” and Marling’s home studio, and was produced by Ethan Johns and Laura Marling.
Personnel:
- Laura Marling – vocals, acoustic, electric and slide guitar, guiro
- Ethan Johns – drums, continuum fingerboard, resonator guitar, shaker, Moog, mixing
- Chris Hillman – pedal steel guitar
- Anna Corcoran – piano
- Nick Pini – bass, bowed double bass
- Dan See – drums
- Gabriela Cabezas – cello
- Rob Moose – string arrangements
- Dom Monks – loops, mixing
- Edie Phillips – recording assistant
- Theresa Adebiyi – creative direction
- Vance Wellenstein – design
- Justin Tyler Close – photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Laura Marling, except where noted.
- Alexandra
- Held Down
- Strange Girl
- Only the Strong
- Blow by Blow
- Song for Our Daughter – Laura Marling, George Jephson
- Fortune
- The End of the Affair – Laura Marling, Blake Mills
- For You – Laura Marling, George Jephson
Ronnie Wood: Not For Beginners
On November 19, 2001, “SPV” label released “Not for Beginners”, the sixth Ronnie Wood album. It was recorded in 2001, and was produced by Ronnie Wood, Mark Wells, and Martin Wright.
Personnel:
- Ronnie Wood – vocals, guitar
- Mark Wells – vocals, guitar, bass, drums
- Bob Dylan – guitar
- Scotty Moore – guitar
- Jesse Wood – guitar
- Mick Jones – guitar, keyboards
- Ian McLagan – piano
- Willie Weeks – bass
- Ian Jenning – double bass
- D.J. Fontana – drums
- Andy Newmark – drums
- Martin Wright – vocals, drums, percussion
- Kelly Jones – vocals
- Leah Wood – vocals
Track listing:
All tracks by Ronnie Wood; except where noted.
- Wayside
- Rock ‘n Roll Star – Chris Hillman, Roger McGuinn
- Whadd’ya Think
- This Little Heart
- Leaving Here – Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland
- Hypershine
- R U Behaving Yourself?
- Be Beautiful
- Wake Up You Beauty
- Interfere
- Real Hard Rocker
- Heart, Soul and Body
- King of Kings – Bob Dylan
Gene Clark: Roadmaster
In January 1973, “Ariola” label released “Roadmaster”, the fourth Gene Clark album. It was compiled from various unreleased recordings for” A&M Records” made in 1970 through 1972, produced by Jim Dickson and Chris Hinshaw.
Personnel:
- Gene Clark– vocals, acoustic guitar, piano
- Chris Hillman– vocals, bass guitar
- David Crosby – vocals, guitars
- Roger McGuinn– vocals, guitars
- Bernie Leadon, Rick Roberts– vocals, guitars
- Clarence White– electric guitar, backing vocals
- Sneaky Pete Kleinow– pedal steel guitar
- Spooner Oldham– keyboards, backing vocals
- Chris Ethridge– bass guitar
- Michael Clarke– drums
- Bud Shank– flute
- Byron Berline– fiddle
- Chris Hinshaw – recording
- Henry Diltz – photography
- Barry Ballard – liner notes
Track listing:
All tracks by Gene Clark except where noted.
- She’s the Kind of Girl
- One in a Hundred
- Here Tonight
- Full Circle Song
- In a Misty Morning
- Rough and Rocky – Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs
- Roadmaster – Freddy Weller, Spooner Oldham
- I Really Don’t Want to Know – Howard Barnes, Don Robertson
- I Remember the Railroad
- She Don’t Care About Time
- Shooting Star
Firefall: Same
On April 8, 1976, “Atlantic” label released the self-titled, debut Firefall album. It was recorded in 1975, at “Criteria Studios” in Miami, Florida, and was produced by Jim Mason. This album became the fastest record to achieve gold status in “Atlantic” label history, and was certified Platinum by “RIAA” in the US.
Personnel:
- Rick Roberts– vocals, acoustic guitars
- Larry Burnett– vocals, acoustic, rhythm and electric guitars
- Mark Andes- bass guitar
- Jock Bartley- lead electric and slide guitars, Bigsby Palm pedal guitar, cover concept
- Michael Clarke– drums
- David Muse – piano, clavinet, synthesizer, flute, tenor sax, harmonica
- Joe Lala – congas, timbales, shakers, tambourine, finger cymbals, sand blocks
- Peter Graves – trombone
- Ken Faulk – trumpet
- Whit Sidener – baritone sax
- Karl Richardson – engineer
- Michael Laskow – engineer assistant
- George Marino– mastering
- Ralph Wernli – front cover design
Track listing:
- It Doesn’t Matter – Chris Hillman, Rick Roberts, Stephen Stills
- Love Isn’t All – Larry Burnett
- Livin’ Ain’t Livin’ – Rick Roberts
- No Way Out – Larry Burnett
- Dolphin’s Lullaby – Rick Roberts
- Cinderella – Larry Burnett
- Sad Ol’ Love Song – Larry Burnett
- You Are the Woman – Rick Roberts
- Mexico – Rick Roberts
- Do What You Want – Larry Burnett
Gener Clark: Gene Clark with the Gosdin Brothers
In February 1967, “Columbia” label released “Gene Clark with the Gosdin Brothers”, the debut Gene Clark album. It was recorded in 1966, and was produced by Larry Marks and Gary Usher.
Personnel:
- Gene Clark– vocals, guitar, harmonica
- Glen Campbell– electric guitar
- Jerry Cole– guitars
- Bill Rinehart– guitars
- Clarence White– guitar
- Doug Dillard– electric banjo
- Leon Russell– piano, harpsichord; string arrangements
- Van Dyke Parks– keyboards
- Chris Hillman– bass
- Jim Gordon– drums
- Michael Clarke– drums
- Vern Gosdin– backing vocals
- Rex Gosdin– backing vocals
Track listing:
All tracks by Gene Clark, except where noted.
- Echoes
- Think I’m Gonna Feel Better
- Tried So Hard
- Is Yours Is Mine
- Keep on Pushin’ – Gene Clark, Bill Rinehart
- I Found You
- So You Say You Lost Your Baby
- Elevator Operator – Gene Clark, Bill Rinehart
- The Same One
- Couldn’t Believe Her
- Needing Someone
Emmylou Harris: Elite Hotel
On December 29, 1975, “Reprise” released “Elite Hotel”, the third Emmylou Harris studio album. It was recorded in June 1975, at “Enactron Truck” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Brian Ahern.
Personnel:
- Emmylou Harris – vocals, acoustic guitar
- Brian Ahern- acoustic guitar, bass
- Rick Cunha – acoustic guitar
- Herb Pedersen- acoustic guitar, banjo, backing vocals
- Bernie Leadon- acoustic guitar, backing vocals
- John Starling- acoustic guitar, backing vocals
- Ben Keith- pedal steel
- Hank DeVito- pedal steel
- Amos Garrett- electric guitar
- Mike Auldridge– dobro
- Byron Berline- fiddle, mandolin
- James Burton- electric guitar
- Rodney Crowell- electric guitar, backing vocals
- Glen D. Hardin- piano, electric piano, string arrangements
- Bill Payne– piano
- Mickey Raphael– harmonica
- Nick DeCaro – string arrangements
- Jonathan Edwards- backing vocals
- Emory Gordy, Jr.- bass, backing vocals
- Ron Tutt– drums
- John Ware– drums
- Linda Ronstadt- backing vocals
- Dianne Brooks – backing vocals
- Fayssoux Starling- backing vocals
- Brian Ahern – engineer
- Bradley Hartman – engineer
- Rudy Hill – engineer
- Stuart Taylor – engineer
- Miles Wilkinson – engineer
Track listing:
- Amarillo – Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell
- Together Again – Buck Owens
- Feelin’ Single, Seein’ Double – Wayne Kemp
- Sin City – Gram Parsons, Chris Hillman
- One of These Days – Earl Montgomery
- Till I Gain Control Again – Rodney Crowell
- Here, There and Everywhere – John Lennon, Paul McCartney
- Ooh Las Vegas – Gram Parsons, Ric Grech
- Sweet Dreams – Don Gibson
- Jambalaya (On The Bayou) – Hank Williams
- Satan’s Jewel Crown – Edgar L. Eden
- Wheels – Chris Hillman, Gram Parsons
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