Forgotten Fretmasters #11 - Steve Cropper 

Big Fan Of Steve Cropper and Booker T. and the MGs. Legendary Musicians!

Nobody’s ever forgotten Steve Cropper.

The Colonel and the Duck worked with pretty much EVERYONE, turning "goat piss into gasoline."

17 years old and steve is my favorite guitarist i love how he mixes blues into soul

In the 60's it was nearly impossible to not hear Cropper's guitar multiple times a day.

I asked my dad how to play like this when I was 4 years old. Pops was a jazz drummer. He had no idea how to communicate guitar, so he told me to listen to the bass. It worked! Thanks pop! You still rock! RIP

Just this month Cropper was nominated for a Grammy 2021 for "Fire It Up". Pleasure that this guitar gem of a player is still alive & kicking.

Very well written & presented. Just gotta say that I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Cropper that Al Jackson, Jr. was the greatest drummer to ever walk the earth

Cropper sure ain't forgotten by me.

Very nice..cropper with the telecaster legendary…sad doesn’t get the accolades he deserves

steve will never be forgotten! Most important and influential soul guitarist ever?

Dang. I love all the references to various tunes through the years....I just wish there were short snippets of them. Many were familiar, but I couldn't remember most.

Steve is one of my all time favorite guitarists. Question: Have you featured Ernie Isley? He's overlooked and it's a shame.

Steve Cropper! Great choice for Forgotten Fretmasters.

don't worry, he will never be forgotten !

We saw the Blues Brothers in Dallas at the height of their tour. What a hoot! Never had so much fun at a concert. The band was solid tight as they went almost through the entire Stax catalog behind Dan and John. Best concert we ever went to.

AMAZING THIS GUY TAUGHT GUITAR PLAYERS, INCLUDING MYSELF,,,,,HOW? NOT TO SQUEEZE THE GUITAR NECK, BE MORE FLUENT, HOW LESS IS MORE, AND WAS THE EPITAMY OF SOUL GUITAR PLAYING!

Cropper is a great guitarist because his playing always serves and supports THE SONG. He thinks like a songwriter while playing. I recently saw an interview where he said he thinks of himself as a songwriter first, a musician (not just a guitarist) second.

As a (maybe, looking back, potentially OCD/Aspergers) lad I remember reading every word on the backs of every LP in the shops I could look in. Steve Cropper became known to me then and has never been forgotten.

Good one

Great video! Im a native Memphian, and while I knew a LOT about Steve and Stax, this doubled my knowledge at least. Had no idea he worked with Lennon on Rock n Roll.

Such a great great job you did here! Thanks so much. I’m going to look up some of Steve’s work right now that you so lovingly mentioned here.

This was awesome, thanks for making the video.

Merci for this great tribute to a legend's legend.

I discovered Mr. Cropper thanks to the movie, and I was impressed by his impeccable tone and pristine touch. And everyone wondered: Who the hell is this guy! In France, at that time we didn't know much about the soul scene, a few names here and there, but only singers. It was a great discovery. Thanks for this video man!

Your stuff is always professional and interesting. Thank you.

Always fun & informative. Thanks👍

Thanks, GH. I'm a recent subscriber and I enjoy your videos immensely and find it heartwarming to hear a hometown accent in your narration. I'm guessing you're a DELCO guy like me. After living my first 43 years in DELCO, I moved but I'm still in PA. Though I'm a drummer first, Steve Cropper is a favorite of mine. He's one of the biggest reasons why I love the Tele so much.

Excellent! Comprehensive, accurate, very well put. Thank you!

Good stuff 👍✌

The only issue with anything you have said here is the fact that Cropper never has been forgotten nor ever will.

I seriously miss VHI's Behind the Music. Your channel is filling in quite well. Didn't know about Steve Cropper, but now I do. Thank you!!

I really , really dig your channel. Thanks for the research and great presentations. Two words, Randy California.

Great video

You are absolutely correct! The Blues Brothers is the best movie ever! I love bragging about how the movie influenced me. The first trip I took brought me to Beale Street and a long list of concerts. Live music is the best. The only movie to ever come close to being as great was Blues Brothers 2000. And I have seen Johnny Lang play lots of times.

Legend.

I love your channel and Forgotten Fretmasters. You always have such treat history and detail and tell the story so well. Thank you and don't let anybody kick you to the curb!

Watching in Australia and really enjoyed this. Have subscribed too. Really well done mate. Thank you!

I can dig this. Kid of the '60s so a fan since The Booker T days. later in like '72, a guitar playing bud bought Melting Pot. A good album i always forget about. Early '00s, i'm playing guitar after a 'break'. See tab for Soul Man, sliding 6th's. Opened the door to Johnny Winter's version of "All Tore Down". Can't leave without "Paradise Road". Green Onions, AG, for me, one of the best final acts ever filmed.

Thanks for the good work, I have learned playing triads and double stops by listening to Steve’s guitar playing. Your video reminded me of the benefit of not over playing during a song.

I think your videos are fantastic, every time I watch one I enjoy it. 🤟 I was trying to learn croppers parts on green onions a few weeks ago in a guitar lesson and it’s so hard to play those licks with the dynamics the way he does, I couldn’t even come close. The guitar “solo” parts on time is tight are in my opinion a master class in “simple perfection”, nothing more than what is required, and perfectly executed. That’s my two pence worth anyway

Some of my favorite Steve / MG's tunes are Chicken Pox, Melting Pot, Carnaby St. Jellybread, Bootleg, Soul Sanction and Back among many many others Thanks for a cool video but please more sounds.

Great video. Not going to split hairs over defining "forgotten". No Steve Cropper - parallel/lesser universe.

I recommend "Opus de Soul" off the Steve Cropper-Albert King-Pop Staples, Jammed Together album. Actually the entire album is awesome. I originally bought this album at Kmart back in 69 or 70. No, I ain't forgot Cropper.

Good video. I have been a big believer in "less is better".

Cream of Cropper

Loved this! I would love one on the great Lonnie Mack.

Willie Hall wasn't on Briefcase full of Blues, that was Steve Jordan. Willie Hall was in the movie, though.

I don't think anybody has forgotten Steve. If they're unfamiliar with him it's because they never heard of him in the first place.

I've always loved Steve Cropper's "in the pocket" playing. Check out the live version of Dion singing King of the New York Streets with Cropper on Guitar and the great Phil Chen on bass.

I Need examples of the mans playing dude. Ya killin me !

That was a great episode. Some things there that I didn't know about the Colonel...Fender should get on that guitar.

Great presentation

Play It Steve !! Belushi cracked me up ….

One of my favorite guitar players of all time! I hate Illinois nazi's!

Was lucky enough to see him play Sittin on the Dock of the Bay with Pearl Jam in the early 90s

Great review! How about James Burton?

You did mention Cropper playing with Levon Helm, and The Blues Brothers being born from a skit on SNL, a little further detail in that story is A New Year’s Eve show by Levon Helm and his RCO All Stars so impressed a member of the audience that he eventually swiped several members to form the basis of the Blues Brothers. John Belushi was there that night and, roughly a year later, five members of the RCO All Stars had formed the nucleus of the blockbuster Blues Brothers-related album, film and concert enterprise.

Remember, Al Bell was “pushing content” because Stax had lost their distribution deal with Atlantic, only to discover that Atlantic now owned their entire back catalogue! Stax literally at that point had nothing to sell. So Bell went on an album-making spree to rebuild a catalogue for the Stax label.

Cool tshirt....hardly a forgotten guitarist tho. Good research none the less

And we fender guitar players are still waiting for that Fender custom shop Steve Cropper Signature Telecaster.

I have real trouble explaining/ justifying my guitars heroes to people, especially other guitar players. It’s an eclectic mix - Neil Young, Paul Kossoff, Wilco Johnson and Steve Cropper. But Steve alway tops the list for his economy, taste and tone. His guitar parts alway seem so simple and yet are so goddam hard to get absolutely right. If I end my days just being able to capture a fraction of his skill, I’ll be very happy.

Since when was Steve Cropper forgotten?

The Axton of Stax, was a pivotal force in Nashville as well.(if she's who I'm thinking she is). Also related to Hoyt Axton (The Pusher, Snowblind Friend, Joy To The World, & others, several country hits he wrote for himself Boney Fingers, to name one). It was said if she said "Sign him/her/them" they got a record deal. I know about her, because of the Oklahoma roots. Plus former US Senator Boren is from that family too. When I was in Memphis in the mid 70s (A great songwriting spirit in that city, much like Atlanta) one of the TV stations (can't recall the call letters) & a radio station, were owned by a famous Oklahoman EK Gaylord, he owned WKY radio & tv, The Daily Oklahoman (top newspaper in the state) Missletoe Express, plus a lot of other stuff. The family owns the Texas Rangers too. (He lived into his 100s, it's said every morning his limo driver drove him around Lake Hefner in OKC, so he could look for Soviet Subs. One problem Lake Hefner is basically a huge swimming pool, with a concrete bottom! [I don't know if that's true, it was a rumor every one in town knew.]) I had no idea Axton was the Ax in Stax. Wow. Cropper of course is a legendary guitarist, his resume is 2nd to none. He's unstoppable. I remember before he started playing his own version of the Tele, I saw him at Claptons Crossroads Blues Festival (on tv not in person) playing a Fender HH Telecaster (as they called it). Great vid man. I learned something else.

Any guitarist worth his weight knows about the legendary Steve Cropper.

Steve Cropper was , remains, an will always be a Monster. It must be said that The Stax Sound Annnnd influence was equally created and maintained by Issac Hayes and Porter. Booker T. Jones all great artist and Composers. Otis Redding famous for his Great vocals also Composed and co-wrote with Steve.

Steve Cropper hooked Bobby Whitlock up with Eric Clapton. Clapton & Whitlock gathered the core band for George Harrison’s ALL THINGS MUST PASS sessions and went on to found (and write several songs together) Derek & the Dominos. Bobby Whitlock from an interview with Guitar Player magazine: "I didn’t know what I was going to do after I left Delaney & Bonnie. I just knew I didn’t want to go back to Memphis, and I didn’t want to stay in L.A. Steve said, 'Call Eric and just see what he’s up to. Just ask him if you can visit for a couple days.' I said I didn’t have any money, and he said, 'Don’t worry about that. Just call him.' So I called, and Eric picked up the phone! And I told him, 'Hey, I just left Delaney & Bonnie, ’cause they’re driving me nuts, and I have to get out of here.' And he said, 'Why don’t you come on over?' And that was a Wednesday. And I called Cropper back, and he said, 'I’ll have a ticket for you tomorrow.'" I got on the plane and took off with $300, my guitar and a suitcase, and the clothes on my back. I arrived at Heathrow and exchanged my dollars for pounds. I got a cab and said, 'Take me to Hurtwood Edge!'"

Great piece…I havenTwo Words for you…Reggie Young….You need to do a piece on him!

Three men I'd love to meet and shake their hand 1. Lou Adler 2. Dr Tom Osborne 3. Steve Cropper

👌🇺🇸

The tele guru.....

You linked the wrong video with the last one.............. "Steve with Booker T & the MGs, Letterman 1991:"

Haha, last night, yep

Frank Marino next maybe? Please!!!

My faveourite guitarist, if I could only pick one. Always in serve of the song, as opposed to egotistical self-agrandisement and indulgence. I hate show-offs!

May I please Ask? Have you Featured yet The Legendary Mr R W Gary Moore…. I spent the latter 17 Yrs with GM - However I could Link you to Gary’s Guitar 🎸 Tech & tbh his Encyclopaedia of all things Musical to do with GM… Many thanks - Darren Main.

How about Martin Barre?

Don’t forget Neil Young !

Gimme a break! Forgotten? I do not think so by any measure!

You should do an episode on Neil Giraldo the truly overlooked guitarist and partner of Pat Benatar. Hard rocker and great innovative soloist. He was the music behind the hits.

suggest two Telecaster masters Danny Gatton and Albert Lee

Private Message left on your FB page about Gary Moore info. Please check that out.

I'm listening NOW (23:26) in Batley. This is both the best channel and host on RU-vid. Can you feature Gary Moore ?

Forgotten?

Forgotten? You need new friends.

Who cares about history ? Give us some of his music instead of this boring crap.

Sorry but the Beatles were lame

I can dig this. Kid of the '60s so a fan since The Booker T days. later in like '72, a guitar playing bud bought Melting Pot. A good album i always forget about. Early '00s, i'm playing guitar after a 'break'. See tab for Soul Man, sliding 6th's. Opened the door to Johnny Winter's version of "All Tore Down". Can't leave without "Paradise Road". Green Onions, AG, for me, one of the best final acts ever filmed.