Steve Cropper

Steven Lee Cropper, born on October 21, 1941, is an American guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as the guitarist of the Stax Records house band, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, and has backed artists such as Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, and Johnnie Taylor. Cropper also excelled as a producer for many of these records. He later joined the Blues Brothers band. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him 36th on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time, and he has won two Grammy Awards. Born on a farm in Missouri, Cropper developed his love for music and guitar at a young age, influenced by black church music and guitarists such as Tal Farlow, Chuck Berry, and Jimmy Reed.