Guitarist Steve Cropper, renowned for his contributions to the greatest rhythm
and blues and soul classics on the Stax Records label, led his own career on the
bangs of the groups Booker T. & the MG's and The Mar-Keys. Born in Dora,
Missouri, on October 21, 1941, Stephen Lee Cropper grew up in Memphis, where he
took up the guitar at the age of 14. He formed The Royal Spades, which became
The Mar-Keys after signing with Stax Records, for whom they recorded the hit
instrumental "Last Night" (1961). Having become an essential session guitarist,
he joined the in-house band Booker T. ...