Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Legendary guitarist, songwriter & record producer Steve Cropper was born 85 years ago on October 21, 1941 in Dora, Missouri. When he was 9 years old his family moved to Memphis, Tennessee where the gospel music he heard left an indelible mark on him. By age 14 he received his first guitar. The first group he co-founded-The Royal Spades-eventually became known as The Mar-Keys. They started playing sessions at Satellite Records which was founded 69 years ago in October 1957 and renamed Stax Records three years later by combining the founders last names-ST for Jim Stewart and AX for his older sister, Estelle Axton.

Cropper became a strong pillar for the label, working as an A&R man, a co-founder of the house band, Booker T & The MG’s, a record producer and a songwriter. He co-wrote several songs with soul master Otis Redding (who’s own 85th birth anniversary was celebrated here in September) including his posthumous #1 song which Cropper was left to finish after Redding’s death in December 1967. Cropper also co-wrote many other high profile hit songs with Wilson Pickett and two with singer Eddie Floyd which were released 60 years ago in 1966.

When Cropper died last December at age 84, it not only hurt my heart but it ended one of my favorite chapters in all of music history. But what a life & legacy he left us with. Thank you, Crop, for everything.

Stephen Lee Cropper: October 21, 1941– December 3, 2025.

Steve Cropper through the decades (L-R) from the 1960’s, the 1970’s and the 2010’s. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Otis Redding (L) and Cropper (R) circa 1967. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Daryl Hall celebrated a milestone birthday this month and it caused every bone in my body feel its age. He was born Daryl Franklin Hohl 80 years ago on October 11, 1946 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. He majored in music at Temple University in Philadelphia which is the city he met musician John Oates in 1967. They were both in different musical groups but by 1970 they formed what would become their iconic partnership-Hall & Oates-and landed a record deal with Atlantic Records courtesy of label co-founder & president, Ahmet Ertegun. Together the duo had 16 Top Ten hits including six #1 songs and became one of the most successful musical acts of all time.

Their breakthrough year was 50 years ago in 1976. “Sara Smile” was released as a single that January. By June of that year, it peaked at #4. “She’s Gone”-which originally appeared on 1973’s Abandoned Luncheonette-was re-released as a single in July 1976 & peaked at #7 on October 30, 1976. Their fifth studio album, Bigger Than Both of Us, was released in August 1976. It produced their first #1 record, “Rich Girl”, which hit the top spot for two consecutive weeks in March 1977.

In 2007 Hall launched the web series, “Live from Daryl’s House”from his home in Millerton, New York. In 2014 he opened “Daryl’s House Restaurant & Live Music Club” in Pawling, New York which became the permanent venue for the show save for the episodes that were filmed on location. Hall’s other passion-restoring old homes-led to his on show on the DIY network, “Daryl’s Restoration Over-Hall”. I have loved his blue-eyed soul voice ever since “Sara Smile” and after five decades, both his voice and that song still makes me swoon.

Daryl Hall circa 1988. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Daryl Hall circa 1999. (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

Hall circa 2021. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Another milestone birth anniversary is coming up next month, also for an illustrious guitarist. Duane Allman was born 80 years ago on November 20, 1946 in Nashville, Tennessee. He was raised by a single mother after his father was killed in an armed robbery in 1949. In 1957 his mother moved the family to Florida. But trips back to Nashville to see their grandmother helped foster younger brother Gregg’s growing musical interest and it was he who learned to play guitar first. Duane eventually followed and Gregg learned to play piano & started songwriting. They began performing together in 1961 and had a series of bands over the next several years that did not find any success.

In 1966 Duane did some session work at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Two years later he played there again, this time on Wilson Pickett’s cover of The Beatles’ song, “Hey Jude”. That brought Duane to the attention of Jerry Wexler at Atlantic Records who hired the guitarist as a full time session musician in Muscle Shoals for the label’s R&B artists. Duane played on songs by Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, Clarence Carter, Otis Rush and Boz Scaggs, amongst others.

By 1968 Duane was jamming with a number of musicians including his younger brother, Gregg, who would eventually form The Allman Brothers Band. In addition to being a founding member, Duane was also the original leader. Their self-titled debut album came out in November 1969 followed by Idlewild South a year later in September 1970. Around that time Duane was in the studio with a new friend-Eric Clapton. He & his new band, Derek & The Dominos, were recording their debut album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. Duane contributed slide or lead guitar on 11 of the 14 tracks.

The ABB’s breakthrough record, At Fillmore East, was released 55 years ago in July 1971. Sadly it became the last album Duane recorded with the band (more about that here) because three months later he was killed in a motorcycle accident in Macon, Georgia (he does appear on two tracks from 1972’s Eat A Peach which were recorded before his death). More than five decades later, his status as one of the greatest guitar players in music history stands.

Howard Duane Allman: November 20, 1946 – October 29, 1971.

Duane Allman circa 1971. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Allman Brothers Band circa 1969 (L-R): Top: Duane Allman and Gregg Allman. Bottom: Butch Trucks, Dickey Betts, Berry Oakley and Jaimoe. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Gregg (L) and Duane (R) circa 1970. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Wilson Pickett: “634-5789” (1966, written by Steve Cropper and Eddie Floyd).

Eddie Floyd: “Knock On Wood” (1966, written by Steve Cropper and Eddie Floyd).

Otis Redding: “(Sittin’ on) The Dock Of The Bay” (1968, written by Steve Cropper and Otis Redding).

Booker T. & The MG’s: “Time Is Tight” (1969, written by Steve Cropper, Donald “Duck” Dunn, Alan Jackson Jr. and Booker T. Jones).

Hall & Oates: “Sara Smile” (1975, written by Daryl Hall and John Oates).

Hall & Oates: “Rich Girl” (1976, written by Daryl Hall).

Hall & Oates: “Everytime You Go Away” (1980, written by Daryl Hall).

Hall & Oates: “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)” (1981, written by Sara Allen, Daryl Hall and John Oates).

The Allman Brothers Band: “Trouble No More” (1969, written by Muddy Waters).

The Allman Brothers Band: “Whipping Post” (1969, written by Gregg Allman).

The Allman Brothers Band: “Midnight Rider” (1970, written by Gregg Allman and Robert Kim Payne).

The Allman Brothers Band: “Statesboro Blues” (Live At Fillmore East, March 13, 1971 – Second Show. Written by Blind Willie McTell).

Stay safe & well.