Steve Cropper, born in October 1941 near Dora, Missouri, is a renowned guitarist, songwriter, and producer, particularly known for his work with Stax Records in the 1960s. After moving to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1950, Cropper immersed himself in the city's vibrant R&B, soul, gospel, and early rock and roll scenes. He began playing guitar at age ten and formed his first band, The Royal Spades, which later became The Mar-Keys. Their instrumental single "Last Night" reached the Top Ten on both the Pop and R&B charts in 1961.

Cropper became a pivotal figure at Stax Records, serving as the house guitarist, A&R man, producer, songwriter, and engineer. He was a founding member of Booker T. & the M.G.'s, the house band for Stax, which produced the hit "Green Onions" in 1962. Cropper co-wrote several iconic songs, including "Knock on Wood," "In the Midnight Hour," and "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay."

In the 1970s, Cropper established his own studios and worked with artists like John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and John Mellencamp. He joined the Blues Brothers Band with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd and appeared in their films. Cropper's contributions to music earned him induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005. He remains an influential figure in the music industry, celebrated for his distinctive guitar style and songwriting prowess.