How Did Steve Cropper Die Everything We Know About the Guitar Legend’s Passing

Steve Cropper, the acclaimed guitarist for Booker T. and the M.G.’s, died on December 3, 2025, at the age of 84. The main keyword appears early because many fans are searching for details about how he died. CBS News and the Associated Press confirmed his death, but officials have not yet released a cause of death.

Cropper was a major figure in American soul music, known for shaping the sound of Stax Records and co-writing classics such as “Green Onions” and “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.” His family described his influence as “immeasurable,” and tributes continue across the music world.

What We Know About How Steve Cropper Died

CBS News reported that Cropper’s exact cause of death has not been disclosed. The Soulsville Foundation confirmed his passing through president and CEO Pat Mitchell Worley. The Associated Press added that Cropper had been staying at a rehabilitation facility in Nashville following a recent fall. A longtime associate, Eddie Gore, told AP he visited Cropper the day before his death, saying the guitarist had been working on new music.

Authorities have not released medical details, and no official cause has been publicly attributed. Because major outlets such as CBS News and AP state that the cause is unknown, it is essential to avoid speculation. The only confirmed information is that Cropper died while recovering from health complications connected to a recent fall and rehabilitation stay.

Cropper’s death marks the loss of one of the most influential guitarists of the 20th century. His sharp rhythm lines, minimalist style, and signature riffs helped define the sound of Stax Records. His work with Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Wilson Pickett, and Booker T. and the M.G.’s influenced generations of musicians. Guitarists including Keith Richards and Joe Bonamassa have publicly praised his craft.

Legacy, Tributes, and His Influence on American Music

Cropper’s family released a statement noting that his musical legacy will “move people for generations to come.” He was known for his understated style and ability to elevate a song without overpowering it. His peers often described him as both a master musician and a generous collaborator.

Fans and artists have shared tributes across social platforms, highlighting how frequently his work appears across some of the most iconic tracks in American soul and rock music. His contributions include co-writing “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” which became the first posthumous No. 1 single in Billboard history after Otis Redding’s death.

Cropper’s passing raises renewed recognition of his decades of influence, and as the music industry awaits a formal cause of death, his legacy remains firmly intact. Searches about how Steve Cropper died continue, but official details have not yet been released.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: How did Steve Cropper die?

Officials have not announced a cause of death. CBS News and AP report only that he died on December 3, 2025, at age 84, and had recently been in rehabilitation after a fall.

Q2: Was Steve Cropper ill before his death?

AP reports that Cropper was staying at a rehabilitation facility after a recent fall. No details about an illness have been released.

Q3: What were Steve Cropper’s biggest musical achievements?

He co-wrote “Green Onions,” “In the Midnight Hour,” and “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.” He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Q4: Did Steve Cropper work on music shortly before his death?

Yes. A longtime associate told AP that Cropper had been working on new music during a visit just one day before his passing.

Q5: How old was Steve Cropper when he died?

He was 84 years old at the time of his death on December 3, 2025.

References

CBS News. Steve Cropper, acclaimed guitarist for Booker T. and the M.G.’s, dies at 84. December 3, 2025.

Associated Press. Rock and soul guitarist Steve Cropper dies at 84 after recent fall. December 2025.

Variety. Steve Cropper, Legendary Guitarist for Booker T. and the MG’s, Dies at 84. December 2025.