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: Eddie Floyd
Sam & Dave: Hold On, I’m Comin’
On April 1, 1966, “Stax” label released “Hold On, I’m Comin’”, the debut Sam & Dave studio album. It was recorded 1965 – 1966, and was produced by Jim Stewart.
Personnel:
- Samuel Moore – vocals
- Dave Prater – vocals
- Booker T. & the M.G.’s and the Mar-Key Horns – instrumentation:
- Steve Cropper – guitar
- Booker T. Jones – keyboards
- Isaac Hayes – Hammond organ
- Donald Dunn – bass guitar
- Al Jackson Jr. – drums
- Wayne Jackson – trombone, trumpet
- Charles “Packy” Axton – tenor saxophone
- Don Nix – baritone saxophone
- Ronnie Stoots – cover artwork
- Deanie Parker – liner notes
Track listing:
All tracks by Isaac Hayes and David Porter, except where noted.
- Hold On, I’m Comin’
- If You Got the Loving – Steve Cropper, Isaac Hayes, David Porter
- I Take What I Want – Isaac Hayes, Mabon “Teenie” Hodges, David Porter
- Ease Me
- I Got Everything I Need – Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd, Alvertis Isbell
- Don’t Make It So Hard on Me – Eddie Floyd, Willia Dean “Deanie” Parker
- It’s a Wonder
- Don’t Help Me Out
- Just Me – Randall Catron, Mary Frierson, William Dean “Deanie” Parker
- You Got It Made
- You Don’t Know Like I Know
- Blame Me (Don’t Blame My Heart) – Steve Cropper, Alvertis Isbell
Eddie Floyd: Knock On Wood
On January 26, 1967, “Stax” label released “Knock on Wood”, the debut Eddie Floyd studio album. It was recorded July – December 1966, at “Stax Recording Studios” in Memphis, Tennessee, and was produced by Jim Stewart.
Personnel:
- Eddie Floyd – vocals
- Steve Cropper – guitar
- Booker T. Jones – piano, organ
- Isaac Hayes – piano
- Donald “Duck” Dunn – bass guitar
- Al Jackson Jr. – drums
- Andrew Love – tenor saxophone
- Floyd Newman – baritone saxophone
- Wayne Jackson – trumpet
Track listing:
- Knock on Wood – Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd
- Something You Got – Chris Kenner, Fats Domino
- But It’s Alright – J.J. Jackson, Pierre Tubbs
- I Stand Accused – Billy Butler, Jerry Butler
- If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody – Rudy Clark
- I Don’t Want to Cry – Luther Dixon, Chuck Jackson
- Raise Your Hand – Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd, Alvertis Isbell
- Got to Make a Comeback – Eddie Floyd, Joe Shamwell
- 634-5789 – Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd
- I’ve Just Been Feeling Bad – Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd
- High-Heel Sneakers – Robert Higginbotham
- Warm and Tender Love – Bobby Robinson
David Bowie: David Live
On October 29, 1974, “RCA” label released “David Live”, the first David Bowie live album. It was recorded in July 1974, at “Tower Theater” in Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania, and was produced by Tony Visconti.
Personnel:
- David Bowie – vocals
- Earl Slick – guitar
- Mike Garson – piano, Mellotron
- Michael Kamen – electric piano, Moog, oboe, arrangements, musical director
- Herbie Flowers – bass
- Tony Newman – drums
- Pablo Rosario – percussion
- David Sanborn – alto saxophone, flute
- Richard Grando – baritone saxophone, flute
- Gui Andrisano – backing vocals
- Warren Peace – backing vocals
Track listing:
All tracks by David Bowie, except where noted.
- 1984
- Rebel Rebel
- Moonage Daydream
- Sweet Thing / Candidate / Sweet Thing (reprise)
- Changes
- Suffragette City
- Aladdin Sane (1913 – 1938 – 197?)
- All the Young Dudes
- Cracked Actor
- Rock’n’Roll with Me – David Bowie, Warren Peace
- Watch That Man
- Knock on Wood – Eddie Floyd, Steve Cropper
- Diamond Dogs
- Big Brother / Chant of the Ever – Changing Skeletal Family
- The Width of a Circle
- The Jean Genie
- Rock’n’Roll Suicide
Mark Lanegan: I’ll Take Care Of You
On September 21, 1999, “Sub Pop” label released “I’ll Take Care of You”, the fourth Mark Lanegan album. It was recorded in 1999, and was produced by Martin Feveyear.
Personnel:
- Mark Lanegan – vocals
- Mike Johnson – guitar
- Martin Feveyear – organ, percussion, piano, Wurlitzer, engineer, mixing
- Steve Berlin – organ, flute, piano
- Mark Hoyt – acoustic and electric guitar, vocals
- Van Conner – bass
- Mark Pickerel – drums
- Mark Boquist – drums
- Barrett Martin – percussion, vibraphone
- David Krueger – violin
- Brett Eliason – engineer
- Greg Calbi – mastering
- Jeff Kleinsmith – layout design
- Stanford Wilson – photography
- Chris Takino – A&R
Track listing:
- Carry Home – Jeffrey Lee Pierce
- I’ll Take Care of You – Brook Benton
- Shiloh Town – Tim Hardin
- Creeping Coastline of Lights – Leaving Trains
- Badi-Da – Fred Neil
- Consider Me – Eddie Floyd, Booker T. Jones
- On Jesus’ Program – Overton Vertis Wright
- Little Sadie – traditional
- Together Again – Buck Owens
- Shanty Man’s Life – Stephen Harrison Paulus
- Boogie Boogie – Tim Rose
Johnny Van Zant: No More Dirty Deals
On August 18, 1980, “Polydor” label released “No More Dirty Deals”, the debut Johnny Van Zant album. It was recorded in 1980, and was produced by Al Kooper.
Personnel:
- Johnny Van Zant – vocals
- Robbie Gay – lead guitar
- Erik Lundgren – lead guitar
- Al Kooper – keyboards
- Danny Clausman – bass guitar
- Robbie Morris – drums
Track listing:
- No More Dirty Deals – Johnny Van Zant, Erik Lundgren, Donnie Van Zant
- Coming Home – Johnny Van Zant, Robert Gay
- 634-5789 – Eddie Floyd, Steve Cropper
- Put My Trust in You – Johnny Van Zant, Robert Gay, Robert Morris
- Only the Strong Survive – Johnny Van Zant, Marvin Jarret, Robert Gay, Robert Morris
- Hard Luck Story – Johnny Van Zant, Erik Lundgren
- Stand Your Ground – Donnie Van Zant, Johnny Van Zant, Robert Gay
- Never Too Late – Johnny Van Zant, Erik Lundgren
- Keep On Rollin’ – Johnny Van Zant, Al Kooper, Danny Clausman, Robert Gay
- Standing in the Darkness – Johnny Van Zant, Robert Gay
Otis Redding And Carla Thomas: King And Queen
On March 16, 1967, “Stax” label released “King & Queen”, album by Otis Redding and Carla Thomas (Otis Redding sixth and final studio album, and Carla Thomas fourth album). It was recorded in January 1967, and was produced by Jim Stewart, Booker &. & MG’s, Isaac Hayes and David Porter.
Personnel:
- Otis Redding – vocals
- Carla Thomas – vocals
- Booker T. Jones – keyboards, piano
- Isaac Hayes – keyboards, piano
- Steve Cropper – guitar
- Donald Dunn – bass guitar
- Al Jackson Jr. – drums
- Joe Arnold – alto saxophone
- Andrew Love – tenor saxophone
- Wayne Jackson – trumpet
- Ronnie Stoots – design
- Jim Stewart – supervisor
Track listing:
- Knock on Wood – Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd
- Let Me Be Good to You – Isaac Hayes, David Porter, Carl Wells
- Tramp – Lowell Fulson, Jimmy McCracklin
- Tell It Like It Is – George Davis, Lee Diamond
- When Something Is Wrong with My Baby – Isaac Hayes, David Porter
- Lovey Dovey – Ahmet Ertegun, Eddie “Memphis” Curtis
- New Year Resolution – Randle Catron, Willie Dean “Deanie” Parker, Mery Frierson
- It Takes Two – Sylvia Moy, William “Mickey” Stevenson
- Are You Lonely for Me, Baby? – Bert Berns
- Bring It on Home to Me – Sam Cooke
- Ooh Carla, Ooh Otis – Alvertsi Isbell, Otis Redding
Delaney & Bonnie: Home
In May 1969, “Stax” label released “Home”, the debut Delaney & Bonnie album. It was recorded 1968 – 1969, at “Stax Studios” in Memphis, Tennessee, and was produced by Don Nix and Donald “Duck” Dunn.
Personnel:
- Delaney Bramlett – vocals, guitar
- Bonnie Bramlett – vocals
- Steve Cropper – guitar
- Leon Russell – keyboards
- Booker T. Jones – keyboards
- Isaac Hayes – vocals, keyboards
- Donald Dunn – bass
- Carl Radle – bass
- Al Jackson Jr. – drums
- Jimmy Karstein – percussion
- The Memphis Horns :
- Andrew Love – tenor saxophone
- Ed Logan – tenor saxophone
- Jim Terry – saxophone
- Joe Arnold – saxophone
- Dick Steff – trumpet
- Wayne Jackson – trumpet
- Jay Pruitt – trumpet
- John Davis – trumpet
- Ben Cauley – trumpet
- William Bell – vocals
- Phil Forrest – vocals
- Ron Capone – engineer
- Jamie Putman – art direction
- Tom Wilkes – design
- Barry Feinstein – photography
- Michael Point – liner notes
Track listing:
- It’s Been a Long Time Coming – Delaney Bramlett, Bonnie Bramlett
- A Right Now Love – Bonnie Bramlett, Homer Banks
- We Can Love – Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd
- My Baby Specializes – Isaac Hayes, David Porter
- Everybody Loves a Winner – Booker T. Jones, William Bell
- Things Get Better – Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd, Wayne Jackson
- Just Plain Beautiful – Steve Cropper, Bettye Crutcher
- Hard to Say Goodbye – Bonnie Bramlett, Carl Radle
- Pour Your Love on Me – Homer Banks, Bonnie Bramlett
- Piece of My Heart – Bert Berns, Jerry Ragovoy
Wilson Pickett: The Exciting Wilson Pickett
In August 1966, “Atlantic” label released “The Exciting Wilson Pickett”, the third Wilson Pickett album. It was recorded May 1965 – May 1966, in Memphis, Tennessee, and Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and was produced by Jerry Wexler, Steve Cropper, Jim Stewart, Rick Hall, and Tom Dowd.
Personnel:
- Wilson Pickett– vocals
- Steve Cropper, Jimmy Johnson, Chips Moman– guitar
- Joe Hall, Isaac Hayes, Spooner Oldham– keyboards, piano
- Tommy Cogbill, Donald Dunn– bass guitar
- Roger Hawkins, Al Jackson Jr.– drums
- Wayne Jackson, Gene “Bowlegs” Miller– trumpet
- Charles “Packy” Axton, Andrew Love, Charles Chalmers– tenor saxophone
- Floyd Newman – baritone saxophone
- Steve Cropper – supervisor
- Tom Dowd– engineer, supervisor
- Rick Hall – engineer, supervisor
- Jim Stewart– engineer, supervisor
- Haig Adishian – design
- Bob Rolontz– liner notes
- Scott Galloway – liner notes
- Nick Samardge – photography
- Jerry Wexler– supervisor
Track listing:
- Land of 1000 Dances – Chris Kenner
- Something You Got – Chris Kenner
- 634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.) – Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd
- Barefootin’ – Robert Parker
- Mercy Mercy – Don Covay, Ronald Dean Miller
- You’re So Fine – Lance Finney, Willie Schofield, Bob West
- In the Midnight Hour – Steve Cropper, Wilson Pickett
- Ninety-nine and a Half (Won’t Do) – Steve Cropper, Eddie Floyd, Wilson Pickett
- Danger Zone – Steve Cropper, Wilson Pickett
- I’m Drifting – Homer Banks, Pickett, David Porter
- It’s All Over – Steve Cropper, Wilson Pickett
- She’s So Good to Me – Bobby Womack
Albert King: I Wanna Get Funky
In June 1974, “Stax” label released “I Wanna Get Funky”, the eighth Albert King studio album. It was recorded in 1972 and was produced by Henry Bush and Allen Jines.
Personnel:
- Albert King– vocals, electric guitar
- Donald Kanzie (Donald Kinsey)– rhythm guitar
- The Bar-Kays & The Movement – rhythm section
- The Memphis Horns– horns
- Memphis Symphony Orchestra– strings
- Hot Buttered Soul, Henry Bush – backing vocal
Track listing:
- I Wanna Get Funky – Clifton William Smith
- Playing on Me – Sir Mack Rice
- Walking the Back Streets and Crying – Sandy Jones
- ‘Til My Back Ain’t Got No Bone – Eddie Floyd, Alvertis Isbell
- Flat Tire – Henry Bush, Booker T. Jones, Albert King
- I Can’t Hear Nothing But the Blues – Henry Bush, Dave Clark
- Travelin’ Man – Albert King
- Crosscut Saw – R.G. Ford
- That’s What the Blues Is All About – Bobby Patterson, Jerry Strickland
musicalphabet 