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: Mickey Thomas
Paul Kantner: Planet Earth Rock And Roll Orchestra
In August 1983, “RCA” label released “Planet Earth Rock and Roll Orchestra”, the fourth and final Paul Kantner album. It was recorded in 1983, at “The Automat” and “The Pen” in San Francisco, and was produced by Paul Kantner, Scott Mathews and Ron Nagle.
Personnel:
- Paul Kantner – vocals, guitars, lead guitar, banjo, glass harmonica, synthesizers, director, additional production
- Grace Slick – vocals, piano
- Scott Mathews – vocals, guitar, percussion, pedal steel guitar, Linn drums, glass harmonica, vocoder, synthesizers, saxophones, mandolin, harmonica, piano, organ, bass drum
- Craig Chaquico – lead guitar
- Ronnie Montrose – lead guitar
- John Blakeley – rhythm guitar
- Ron Nagle – vocals, piano
- Pete Sears – piano, bass
- David Freiberg – vocals, synthesizers
- Jack Casady – bass
- Aynsley Dunbar – drums
- The Dūrocs – sound effects
- China Kantner – vocals
- Alexander Kantner – vocals
- Flo & Eddie – vocals
- Mickey Thomas – vocals
- Proud Pork Productions (Scott Mathews, Ron Nagle) – engineer, additional production
- David Frazer – engineer
- Wayne Lewis – engineer
- Steve Fontana – engineer
- Maureen Droney – engineer, assistant mixing
- Ken Kessie – mixing, remixing
- Artists & Friends, Inc. (Jim Welch) – art direction
- Bud Thon – illustration
- Pat Leraci (Maurice) – production coordinator
- Vicky Leraci – production coordinator assistant
Track listing:
- The Planet Earth Rock and Roll Orchestra – Paul Kantner
- (She Is A) Telepath – Paul Kantner
- Circle of Fire – Paul Kantner
- Mount Shasta – Paul Kantner, Grace Slsick, Scott Mathews, Ron Nagle
- Lilith’s Song – lyrics by Paul Kantner, music by Paul Kantner, Pete Sears
- Transubstantiation: Part I: Esperanto / Part II: Science Friction – Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, Scott Mathews, Ron Nagle
- The Mountain Song – lyrics by Paul Kantner, Jerry Garcia, music by Paul Kantner, Jerry Garcia
- Declaration of Independence – lyrics by Wolcott Gibbs, music by Celius Dougherty
- Underground (the Laboratories) – lyrics by Grace Slick, Alexander Kantner, music by Ron Nagle
- The Sky Is No Limit – lyrics by Paul Kantner, China Kantner, music by Paul Kantner
- Let’s Go – Paul Kantner
Sammy Hagar: Marching To March
On May 20, 1997, “MCA” label released “Marching to Mars”, the tenth Sammy Hagar studio album. It was recorded 1996 – 1997, and was produced by Mike Clink.
Personnel:
- Sammy Hagar – lead and backing vocals, guitar, bass guitar
- Slash – guitar
- Ronnie Montrose – acoustic, rhythm and solo guitar
- Damon Johnson – acoustic and rhythm guitar, guitar, slide guitar
- Mike Landau – guitar
- Roy Rogers – slide guitar, dobro
- Jesse Harms – keyboards, backing vocals
- Huey Lewis – harmonica
- Bootsy Collins – bass guitar
- Jonathan Pierce – bass guitar
- Denny Carmassi – drums
- Matt Sorum – drums
- Luis Conte – percussion
- Mickey Hart – percussion
- Giovani Hidalgo – percussion
- Bill Church – bass vocals
- Eric Martin, Mickey Thomas, Aaron Hagar, Arnie’s Army, Derrick Hawkins, Harley Di Nardo, Dave Cartategui, Karl Hagar – backing vocals
Track listing:
- Little White Lie – Sammy Hagar
- Salvation on Sand Hill – Sammy Hagar, Damon Johnson
- Who Has the Right – Craig Chaquico, Sammy Hagar, Jesse Harms
- Would You Do It for Free? – Sammy Hagar, Jesse Harms
- Leaving the Warmth of the Womb – Sammy Hagar
- Kama – Sammy Hagar, Jesse Harms
- On the Other Hand – Sammy Hagar
- Both Sides Now – Sammy Hagar, Jesse Harms
- The Yogi’s So High (I’m Stoned) – Sammy Hagar
- Amnesty Is Granted – Sammy Hagar
- Marching to Mars – Sammy Hagar, Mickey Hart
Starship: Love Among the Cannibals
On August 15, 1989, “RCA” label released “Love Among the Cannibals”, the third Starship album. It was recorded 1988 – 1989, at “ Studio 55” in Hollywood, “Record Plant Studios” and “Studio D” in Sausalito, “Different Fur” in San Francisco, “The Kiva” and “Soundcastle” in Los Angeles, “Fantasy Studios” in Berkeley, and “Maison Rouge” in London, and was produced by Mike Shipley, Larry Klein, Phil Galdston, Tom Lord-Alge, Mickey Thomas, Arne Frager, Craig Chaquico, Mark Morgan, Brett Bloomfield and Donny Baldwin.
Personnel:
- Mickey Thomas – vocals
- Craig Chaquico – guitars
- Mark Morgan – keyboards
- Brett Bloomfield – bass, backing vocals
- Donny Baldwin – drums, backing vocals
- Greg Shaw – electronics, trumpet
- Pete Woodroffe – electronics
- Sammy Merendino – electronics
- Collyer Spreen – electronics
- Michael Landau – additional rhythm guitar
- Larry Klein – Fairlight programming
- Robert John “Mutt” Lange – backing vocals
- Tommy Funderburk – additional backing vocals
- Chris Thompson – additional backing vocals
- Jeff Pescetto – additional backing vocals
- Tom Lord-Alge – additional backing vocals, engineer, mixing
- Larry Klein – arrangements
- Robert John “Mutt” Lange – arrangements
- Mike Shipley – engineer, mixing
- Arne Frager – engineer
- Stephan Benben – engineer
- Pete Woodroffe – additional engineering
- Rob Beaton – additional engineering, assistant engineer
- Tony Phillips – additional engineering
- Mark Slagle – engineer assistant
- Julie Last – engineer assistant
- Randy Wine – engineer assistant
- Greg Laney – engineer assistant
- Tom Sadzeck – engineer assistant
- Michael Semanick – engineer assistant
- Greg Wilkinson – engineer assistant
- Paula “Max” Garcia – engineer assistant
- Jim “Watts” Vereecke – engineer assistant
- Tom Size – engineer assistant
- Michael Rosen – engineer assistant
- Paul Lani – mixing
- Joe Fiorello – mixing assistant
- Ria Lewerke – creative director
- Norman Moore – art direction, design
- Taylor King – photography
Track listing:
- The Burn – Martin Page, Bernie Taupin
- It’s Not Enough – Martin Page, Tommy Funderburk
- Trouble in Mind – Joel Feeny, Tim Thorney, Rachel Oldfield
- I Didn’t Mean to Stay All Night – Robert John Lange
- Send a Message – Mickey Thomas, Mark Morgan, Steve Diamond
- Wild Again – John Bettis, Michael Clark
- Love Among the Cannibals – Mickey Thomas, Mark Morgan
- Dream Sequence / We Dream in Color – Mark Morgan, Mickey Thomas, Phil Galdston
- Healing Waters – Martin Page
- Blaze of Love – Chris Thompson, John Van Tongeren, Phil Galdston
- I’ll Be There – Mickey Thomas, Craig Chaquico, Steve Diamond
Jefferson Starship: Winds of Change
On October 4, 1982, “Grunt” label released “Winds of Change”, the seventh Jefferson Starship album. It was recorded in 1982, at “The Automat” in San Francisco, and was produced by Kevin Beamish.
Personnel:
- Grace Slick – vocals
- Mickey Thomas – vocals
- Paul Kantner – vocals, rhythm guitar
- Craig Chaquico – lead guitar, rhythm guitar
- David Freiberg – vocals, bass, keyboards, organ, synthesizer
- Pete Sears – bass, keyboards, synthesizer, piano
- Aynsley Dunbar – drums, percussion
- Maureen Droney – engineer assistant
- Tom Cummings – mixing assistant
- Jeff Sanders – mastering
- Andreas Nottebohm – cover art, painting
- Dyer / Kahn, Inc. – design
- Paul Tokarski, Visual Promotions, Inc. – special effects photography
- Maurice – production coordinator
Track listing:
- Winds of Change – lyrics by Jeannette Sears, music by Pete Sears
- Keep on Dreamin’ – Craig Chaguico
- Be My Lady – lyrics by Jeannette Sears, music by Pete Sears
- I Will Stay – lyrics by Jeannette Sears, music by Pete Sears
- Out of Control – lyrics by Paul Kantner, China Wing, Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, music by Paul Kantner
- Can’t Find Love – lyrics by Grace Slick, Monica Clemans, Mickey Thomas, Craig Chaquico, music by Craig Chaquico
- Black Widow – Craig Chaquico, Grace Slick
- I Came Back From the Jaws of the Dragon – Paul Kantner
- Quit Wasting Time – lyrics by Jeannette Sears, music by Pete Sears
Jefferson Starship: Nuclear Furniture
On May 30, 1984, “Grunt” label released “Nuclear Furniture”, the eighth Jefferson Starship album. It was recorded in 1984, at “Automatt” in San Francisco, and was produced by Ron Nevison.
Personnel:
- Grace Slick– vocals, arrangements
- Paul Kantner– vocals, electric rhythm guitar, acoustic rhythm guitar, banjo, arrangements
- Craig Chaquico– lead guitar, arrangements
- David Freiberg– vocals, keyboards, arrangements
- Pete Sears– bass, keyboards, arrangements
- Donny Baldwin– vocals, drums, percussion, arrangements
- Mickey Thomas– vocals, arrangements
- Peter Wolf– synthesizers, keyboards, LinnDrum programming
- Brian MacLeod– Simmons drums
- Peter Wolf– arrangements
- Ron Nevison– arrangements, engineer
- Maureen Droney – engineer assistant
- Kevin Eddy – mixing assistant
- Mike Reese – mastering
- Rod Dyer, Clive Pierce / Dyer / Kahn, Inc. – design
- Maurice – production coordinator
Track listing:
- Layin’ It on the Line – lyrics by Mickey Thomas, Craig Chaquico, music by Craig Chaquico, Mickey Thomas
- No Way Out – lyrics by Ina Wolf, music by Peter Wolf
- Sorry Me, Sorry You – lyrics by Jeannette Sears, music by Pete Sears
- Live and Let Live – lyrics by Jeannette Sears, music by Pete Sears
- Connection – lyrics by Paul Kantner, music by Thomas Kantner
- Rose Goes to Yale – lyrics by Paul Kantner, Ronnie Gilbert, music by Thomas Kantner
- Magician – lyrics by Grace Slick, music by Peter Wolf
- Assassin – lyrics by Jeannnette Sears, ,music by Pete Sears
- Shinning in the Moonlight – lyrics by Craig Chaquito, Thomas Kantner, music by Craig Chaquito
- Showdown – Grace Slick
- Champion – lyrics by Paul Kantner, Ronnie Gilbert, music by Thomas Kantner
Jefferson Starship: Modern Times
On April 2, 1981, “Grunt” label released “Modern Times”, the 6th Jefferson Starship album. It was recorded 1980 – 1981, at “Record Plant” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Ron Nevison.
Personnel:
- Grace Slick – vocals
- Craig Chaquico– lead guitar, rhythm guitar, synthesizer, steel drums
- Aynsley Dunbar– drums, percussion, marimba, synthesizer
- David Freiberg– vocals, bass, piano, synthesizer, organ
- Paul Kantner– vocals, rhythm guitar, Oberheim 8-voice synthesizer
- Pete Sears– bass, piano, synthesizer , Moog
- Mickey Thomas– lead vocals
- Grace Slick– vocals
- Ron Nevison, Michael Clink– engineer
- Mike Reese – mastering
- Pat Leraci (Maurice) – production coordinator
- Bill Murphy / Rod Dyer, Inc. – design, art direction
- Ryoko Ishioka – cover concept
- Monica Clemans – cover model
- Leon LeCash – photography
Track listing:
- Find Your Way Back – Craig Chaquico, Tom Borsdorf
- Stranger – Jeannette Sears, Pete Sears
- Wild Eyes (Angel) – Paul Kantner
- Save Your Love – J. Sears
- Modern Times – Paul Kantner, Mickey Thomas
- Mary – J. Sears, Craig Chaquico
- Free – Mickey Thomas, Craig Chaquico
- Allen – J. Sears
- Stairway To Cleveland (We Do What We Want) – Paul Kantner, Paul Warren
musicalphabet 