# Steve Cropper: The Colonel

> Grammy-winning guitarist Steve Cropper, known as 'The Colonel', backed Otis Redding and Neil Young before his death at 84.
- Title: Steve Cropper: The Colonel · American Songwriter | Shortify
- Summary: Grammy-winning guitarist Steve Cropper, known as 'The Colonel', backed Otis Redding and Neil Young before his death at 84. Steve Cropper, the Grammy-winning…
- Keywords: steve cropper, the colonel, otis redding, neil young, stax records, grammy awards, rock and roll hall of fame, music, culture, Steve, Cropper, Colonel
- Source: American Songwriter — https://americansongwriter.com/born-85-years-ago-today-in-the-show-me-state-the-grammy-winning-guitarist-known-as-the-colonel-who-backed-otis-redding-and-neil-young
- Author: Erinn Callahan
- Published: 2026-10-22T00:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: steve cropper, the colonel, otis redding, neil young, stax records, grammy awards, rock and roll hall of fame, music, culture
## Born in Missouri
Steve Cropper was born on October 21, 1941, in Dora, Missouri.
## Soul Music Pioneer
He co-wrote Otis Redding’s posthumous 1968 chart-topper 'Sittin’ On The Dock of the Bay'.
## Stax Records A&R
As head of artists & repertoire at Stax Records, he worked on records from fall 1961 to year end 1970.
## Booker T. & the MG’s
He was a member of Booker T. & the MG’s, playing on hits like 'Green Onions' and 'Soul Man'.
## Death in 2025
Steve Cropper died at age 84 on December 3, 2:00pm in Nashville, 2025.
## Key takeaway

Steve Cropper, the Grammy-winning guitarist known as 'The Colonel', died at 84 in 2025 after a career backing soul legends like Otis Redding.