Steve Cropper

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Steve Cropper, 1941-2025 – the guitar world pays tribute

By Matt Owen published

The influential soul guitar legend has passed away at the age of 84, with Joe Bonamassa, Tyler Bryant, Dave Mason, Mick Fleetwood and more sharing tributes

Guitarists
Steve Cropper poses with his Peavey signature guitar and a Fender Twin combo

Steve Cropper on writing Green Onions, stressing out Brian May and the secret of Billy Gibbons’ guitar style

By Phil Weller published

The co-writer of classics including Green Onions and (Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay proved you don’t need technical wizardry to make a mark. In 2024, he walked us through a career marked by hits, groove and soul

Guitarists
Steve Cropper performs onstage in Squaw Valley, California on August 25, 1991

Steve Cropper, Stax and soul guitar legend, Booker T. & the MG’s co-founder, dies at 84

By Jackson Maxwell published

As guitarist and co-writer of seminal hits like (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay and Green Onions, Cropper left an indelible mark on the music of the 1960s

Guitarists
Billy Gibbons, Steve Cropper and Brian May: Gibbons plays his custom SG doublecut with the Flying V-style headstock; Cropper plays his Peavey T-style; Brian May plays the Red Special.

Brian May, Billy Gibbons and Steve Cropper on how the three guitar icons learned to play together

By Andrew Daly published

For the latest record from Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour, the Stax legend enlists two equally iconic players. Here three kings of the six-string tell us what went down in Friendlytown

Guitarists
(from left) Brian May, Steve Cropper, and Billy Gibbons perform onstage

Brian May on his unlikely guitar kinsmanship with Steve Cropper and Billy Gibbons

By Jackson Maxwell published

Recruited for the recent Cropper tune Too Much Stress, May says the three masters fit together better than you might think

Guitarists
Left-Brian May of Queen + Adam Lambert performs on stage at Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena on July 2, 2017 in Vancouver, Canada; Right-Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top performs at Toyota Pavilion at Concord on September 19, 2024 in Concord, California

Brian May explains why he was reluctant to share a solo with Billy Gibbons – and what changed his mind

By Janelle Borg published

May and Gibbons were recruited by session icon Steve Cropper to add their guitar star power to his latest release, Friendlytown

Guitarists
Tom Morello (left) and Roman Morello

“Big riff energy is in this kid’s blood – and he might even solo better than his dad…” June 2024 Guitar World editor’s picks

By Michael Astley-Brown published

From all-star offspring to returning noise-rock icons, a punk trailblazer’s first album in 53 years and the future of blues, this month had it all

Music Releases
Billy Gibbons, Steve Cropper and Brian May

Brian May turned down the chance to play with Steve Cropper and Billy Gibbons – then his rejection email was used to write a new song

By Matt Owen published

The Queen guitarist trades solos with Gibbons on Too Much Stress, the first taste of session legend Cropper’s new record Friendlytown

Guitarists
Steve Cropper

Steve Cropper on recording classic Stax cuts with a Telecaster – and why he thinks his Peavey sounds better

By Joe Matera published

The Stax session icon reflects on the recording of Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay and Soul Man, and looks forward to his new album featuring Billy Gibbons and Brian May

Guitarists
Steve Cropper

Steve Cropper explains why he still looks at the fretboard after nearly 70 years of playing

By Phil Weller published

The Booker T. & The M.G.’s founder has opened up on his reliance on inlays, and name-dropped two huge guest stars for his upcoming as-yet-unannounced record

Guitarists
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