Steve Cropper was an American guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. His nickname was “The Colonel”. He played guitar for the Stax Records house band, Booker T. & the M.G.’s.
This band performed behind many famous artists, including Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, and Johnnie Taylor.
Net Worth, Ethnicity & Religion
According to the reports, his net worth was approximately $5 million from all of his income sources as of 2025(source). He was of American White Ethnicity. His religious faith was in Christianity.
Wife, Kids & Parents
According to the reports, he was married. His wife’s name was Angel Cropper. He had a son and a daughter named Cameron and Andrea Cropper.
He was born to his American parents. His mother’s name was Mrs Grace (Atkins) Cropper, and his father’s name was Mr Hollis Cropper. He did not have any siblings.
Early Life & Death
He was born on 21 October 1941 in Dora, Missouri, United States. He was 84 years old as of 2025. He died on 3 December 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee, United States.
He grew up in Dora and West Plains, and when he was 9, his family shifted to Memphis. Living in Memphis introduced him to music from local Black churches, which influenced his musical style. He got his first guitar when he was 14 years old.
He looked up to many guitarists, including Tal Farlow, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Reed, Chet Atkins, Lowman Pauling from The “5” Royales, Earl Cate from The Cate Brothers Band, and Billy Butler from the Bill Doggett band.
Career Details
He and guitarist Charlie Freeman started a band called the Royal Spades, which later turned into the Mar-Keys. Their new name was inspired by the marquee sign outside the Stax studio, which was then called Satellite Records.
The Mar-Keys eventually began playing in recording sessions and even released their own successful song, “Last Night,” in 1961. After Chips Moman, the founder of American Records, left Stax, Cropper took over the role of A&R for the company.
He also helped form the Stax house band, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, together with organ player Booker T. Jones. When he left Stax in late 1970, the company lost one of its top producers and songwriters.
After leaving, he teamed up with Jerry Williams and former Mar-Keys member Ronnie Stoots to start TMI Studios.
By 1975, he had moved to Los Angeles, and there he joined Jones, Jackson, and Dunn to bring Booker T. & the M.G.’s back together.
He often said that Jackson was “the greatest drummer to ever walk the Earth.” In 1992, Booker T. & the M.G.’s were added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
That same year, in October, Cropper performed with a new version of the group at Bob Dylan’s 30th Anniversary concert. On November 12, 2009, he received the “Founders Award” from EMP/SFM.
Then, on October 17, 2010, he was added to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Later, in November 2021, his album Fire It Up was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category.
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