In 1991, I produced the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Tribute show at Madison Square Garden with star, after star, after star. The first encore of "My Back Pages," had Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Roger Mcguinn (The Birds) and the man himself, Bob. The 2nd encore, for "Knocking on Heaven's Door," all thirty major artist joined Bob for the song. It was a great show but we had a hard time booking a backing band because, of what we called at the time, BOB. G. E. Smith the musical director put a number of famous bands, with famous players, and Bob rejected every single one. Finally, G E. Smith, after offering all this star power for a backing band said let's try Booker T and the MGs. We reluctantly took it to Bob. For the first time Bob's eyes lit up and said now you've got it and the rest is Rock n' Roll history. Steve Clapper was not only a great guitar player, who no one knows about, but he was one of the nicest people to ever live. The music world will miss him.
Wow--what an experience that must have been. My husband and I weren't aware of the concert at the time--if we had been, we'd have gone--those were our go-go years. But we bought the DVD and watched it every year during the holidays. Masters of War, When My Ship Comes In, You Aint Going Nowhere, I Shall Be Released, Don't Think Twice, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Absolutely Sweet Marie, License to Kill, Mr Tambourine Man. And My Back Pages, smashed it.
Outstanding tribute to an incredible musician. I’ve never understood the critics who bash The Blues Brothers as they introduced a genre of music to so many. Steve Cropper is legend.
Very underrated was the smooth way he exited the sauna with the rest of the band after Jake and Elwood talked Steve Lawrence into the Palace Hotel gig.
Loved him in the Bob Dylan 30 year concert. One of my husband's and my favorite DVDs. Cropper and the backing band were great. My Back Pages is one for the ages. I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now.
Thanks for the memory of Green Onions/American Graffiti and Soul Man/Blues Brothers to this teenager at the time. They were influential soundtracks that were synonymous to their movie for me. I still vividly picture those scenes. Cropper will always be remembered.
Getting up close and personal with the songwriters and musicians you love! "Musicians Hall of Fame Backstage" is a new show that will be airing on NewsChannel5 plus. Joe Chambers will sit down and have casual conversations with some of music's most iconic personalities... including Steve Cropper.
Booker T. & The MG's - Time Is Tight (Live, 1970) ENJOY!
Steve Cropper has long been at the top of my list of music titans properly appreciated in the industry, but with less name recognition than lesser lights. The other person of similar talents and influence that comes to mind is Leon Russell. Both had 60+ year careers and will be greatly missed.
"[I]if you can’t remember anything a guy played, maybe he didn’t play anything."
Truer words never spoken.
And reminds me of Paul McCartney, who couldn't read music, and who said, "We had to write memorable tunes because we had to remember them."
In 1991, I produced the Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Tribute show at Madison Square Garden with star, after star, after star. The first encore of "My Back Pages," had Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Roger Mcguinn (The Birds) and the man himself, Bob. The 2nd encore, for "Knocking on Heaven's Door," all thirty major artist joined Bob for the song. It was a great show but we had a hard time booking a backing band because, of what we called at the time, BOB. G. E. Smith the musical director put a number of famous bands, with famous players, and Bob rejected every single one. Finally, G E. Smith, after offering all this star power for a backing band said let's try Booker T and the MGs. We reluctantly took it to Bob. For the first time Bob's eyes lit up and said now you've got it and the rest is Rock n' Roll history. Steve Clapper was not only a great guitar player, who no one knows about, but he was one of the nicest people to ever live. The music world will miss him.
Wow--what an experience that must have been. My husband and I weren't aware of the concert at the time--if we had been, we'd have gone--those were our go-go years. But we bought the DVD and watched it every year during the holidays. Masters of War, When My Ship Comes In, You Aint Going Nowhere, I Shall Be Released, Don't Think Twice, When I Paint My Masterpiece, Absolutely Sweet Marie, License to Kill, Mr Tambourine Man. And My Back Pages, smashed it.
Outstanding tribute to an incredible musician. I’ve never understood the critics who bash The Blues Brothers as they introduced a genre of music to so many. Steve Cropper is legend.
That SNL skit was hilarious. Back when SNL was funny. Like 40-50 years ago.
A tremendous talent, RIP.
Very underrated was the smooth way he exited the sauna with the rest of the band after Jake and Elwood talked Steve Lawrence into the Palace Hotel gig.
Thank you Lloyd.
Loved him in the Bob Dylan 30 year concert. One of my husband's and my favorite DVDs. Cropper and the backing band were great. My Back Pages is one for the ages. I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now.
Thanks for the memory of Green Onions/American Graffiti and Soul Man/Blues Brothers to this teenager at the time. They were influential soundtracks that were synonymous to their movie for me. I still vividly picture those scenes. Cropper will always be remembered.
The Story of Booker T & The M.G.'s. As Told by Steve Cropper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ws_QuY-f3E&t=1343s
Jul 1, 2019
Getting up close and personal with the songwriters and musicians you love! "Musicians Hall of Fame Backstage" is a new show that will be airing on NewsChannel5 plus. Joe Chambers will sit down and have casual conversations with some of music's most iconic personalities... including Steve Cropper.
Booker T. & The MG's - Time Is Tight (Live, 1970) ENJOY!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbBcXvKvB08
Steve Cropper has long been at the top of my list of music titans properly appreciated in the industry, but with less name recognition than lesser lights. The other person of similar talents and influence that comes to mind is Leon Russell. Both had 60+ year careers and will be greatly missed.
The old players are leaving us. I'm listening to a lot of Bad Company lately, since the passing of their great guitarist and songwriter, Mick Ralphs.
Steve Cropper, and Grenn Onions, was my entree into the Blues oh so many years (decades) ago. RIP, and thank you, brother.