“I haven’t done an interview for a year and a half”, says Steve Cropper, probably the most famous soul guitarist in the world … “Now tell me about Chorleywood.”
Me… “ Lots of trees, media people and musicians”
Although probably not quite the standard of musicians he is used to – Cropper co-wrote Knock on Wood with Eddie Floyd, In the Midnight Hour with Wilson Pickett and The Dock of the Bay with Otis Redding, who, he says, as far as a talent and personality goes, is one of his favourite people ever to work with. Up there too are Eddie Floyd, John Belushi (they’ll say I’m prejudiced) and Rod Stewart – “one of the greatest guys, I like to think I helped out him back on the map with Tonight’s the Night.”
As for who Cropper considers the most underrated guitar players it’s Jose Feliciano – and all the players who didn’t make Rolling Stone’s 100 list!
Cropper cares about his audience..
“I play the songs I know the audience will enjoy and go home happy, Midnight Hour, Soul Man, Green Onions…”
So what makes him happy?
Music – “I push three buttons on the car radio, Jimmy Buffett’s Channel, BB King’s Blues Channel and Bluegrass Junction – and comedy”
and his guitar.
“My custom made telecaster type guitar with Ernie Ball strings. I don’t use a pedal board rack, I plug straight into the amp and play. My guitar comes with me on the plane when we fly. I never put it in the hold. We bought the instruments seats on my last flights with the Blues Brothers and Animals.”
It is with Animals and Friends that Cropper takes to the stage on this latest British Tour, adding hits like House of the Rising Sun, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, Don’t Bring Me Down, it’s My Life, We Gotta Get Out Of This Place to the strong musical mix, making it a night made in heaven for 60s soul and R&B fans.
Watford watch out… Cropper’s coming to the Colosseum and he intends to rock the house,
“If they are not dancing in the aisles they will be scooting in their seats.”
Steve Cropper, Animals and Friends
Stax of Rhythm & Blues Tour 2014
Watford Colosseum Tues 21 Oct