American music has lost a titan with the passing of Steve Cropper, the guitar genius behind Booker T. & the MG’s and the Blues Brothers band, at the age of 84, as Fox News reports.

News broke that Cropper died on a Wednesday in Nashville, leaving behind a legacy that shaped the soul of Memphis and beyond, as confirmed by Pat Mitchell Worley, president and CEO of the Soulsville Foundation.

Worley, who oversees the Stax Museum of American Soul Music -- once home to Cropper’s iconic label, Stax Records -- shared the somber update after being informed by the family. No cause of death has been released, which leaves us wondering about the final chapter of this legend’s story. Still, it’s a moment to reflect on a life that strummed its way into history.

Remembering a Memphis Music Pioneer

Just a day before his passing, Cropper was visited by longtime friend Eddie Gore at a rehabilitation center, where Gore noted the guitarist had recently taken a fall. It’s a stark reminder that even giants can stumble, yet Cropper’s spirit seemed unbroken.

Remarkably, despite his health challenges, Cropper was still in the game, collaborating with Gore on fresh tracks. That’s the kind of grit we admire -- none of this modern obsession with canceling work over a scraped knee.

Gore spoke warmly of his friend, saying, “He’s such a good human.” Well, Eddie, we couldn’t agree more, but let’s not sugarcoat it—Cropper wasn’t just “good”; he was a cultural force who didn’t bow to fleeting trends or divisive nonsense.

Cropper’s Legacy at Stax Records

Cropper’s fingerprints are all over the Memphis music scene, where he helped craft the sound of soul as a key player at Stax Records. His work with the racially integrated band Booker T. & the MG’s, alongside Booker T. Jones on keys, Donald “Duck” Dunn on bass, and Al Jackson on drums, proved music could unite where politics often divides.

In a 2020 interview, Cropper reflected on the Stax environment, stating, “When you walked in the door at Stax, there was absolutely no color.” That’s a powerful truth -- back then, talent trumped identity politics, a lesson today’s hyper-focused culture warriors could stand to learn.

His name even got a shout-out in the 1967 hit “Soul Man” by Sam & Dave, with Sam Moore urging, “Play it, Steve!” If that’s not a stamp of greatness, what is? It’s the kind of raw, earned respect that no amount of social media likes can replicate.

A Style Built on Collaboration

Cropper wasn’t just a player; he was a listener, as he explained in that same 2020 chat about his approach to music. His focus on blending with other musicians and the singer defined his unique style.

He said, “I listen to the other musicians and the singer. I’m not listening to just me.” Now, isn’t that a refreshing change from the self-obsessed antics we see in today’s entertainment world?

Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005, Cropper’s contributions weren’t just felt -- they were etched in stone. His ability to weave melodies around a song’s heart showed a humility and craft that’s rare in an era of manufactured pop stars.

Honoring a True American Original

Looking back, Cropper’s story isn’t just about music; it’s about breaking barriers without fanfare or forced narratives. Stax Records didn’t need diversity quotas to be inclusive -- it needed talent, and Cropper delivered.

His passing in Nashville marks the end of an era, but his riffs will echo for generations. We’ve lost a man who played from the soul, not for the spotlight, and that’s a rarity worth mourning.

So here’s to Steve Cropper -- a legend who reminded us that music, at its best, speaks louder than any agenda. Let’s honor his memory by turning up “Soul Man” and remembering what unity through art really sounds like.