Tag Archives: (Sittin On) The Dock Of The Bay

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2025: Day 10

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

When Otis Redding died in a plane crash 58 years ago on December 10, 1967, his close friend & the co-writer of “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay”, Steve Cropper, was tasked with finishing that song.  Despite his overwhelming grief, he completed the record and it was released a month later.  On March 16, 1968, it became the #1 song in the U.S. for four consecutive weeks, led by Redding’s meticulous vocal & Cropper’s subtle yet exquisite guitar work. Years later, the staggering beauty of that track introduced me to both men and they have been with me ever since.

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

Booker T & The MG’s on stage with Otis Redding during his breakthrough performance at the Monterey International Pop Festival in June 1967 (L-R): Donald “Duck” Dunn, Al Jackson Jr. on drums, Steve Cropper, Booker T. Jones (seated) and Redding (front center). (Image found online. Original source unknown.)

The success of that record proved the power of Redding’s legacy and the strength of Cropper’s talent.  It helped him become a pillar of Stax Records, first as an A&R man and soon after as a founding member and lead guitarist for the label’s house band, Booker T & The MG’s.  Cropper was also a producer and the co-writer of other hits like “Green Onions”, “Time Is Tight”, “In The Midnight Hour”, “Knock On Wood” and “634-5789”.  He played on songs by Sam & Dave including “Soul Man” which he played on again when it was covered by The Blues Brothers in 1978 (John Belushi can be heard saying, “Play it, Steve!” during the song just as Sam Moore did on the original recording). 

The Stax Museum Of American Soul posted an online tribute to Cropper last week noting “Steve helped shape the very heartbeat of American soul music. His unmistakable guitar lines, songwriting genius, and commitment to the craft left a mark on music around the world. Steve was a collaborator, a leader, and a friend. His contributions helped define what came to be known as the Memphis sound.” Amen.

That sound helped Booker T. & The MG’s land numerous awards and accolades, including an induction into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1992. They were also the stage band during the HOF’s opening concert in 1995. Cropper’s extraordinary guitar skills made him a sought after musician who worked with countless artists during his nearly 70 year career. His chapter is one of my favorites in all of music history.  His death last week at age 84 hurts my heart so.  But what a life & legacy he left us with. Thank you, Crop, for everything. 

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

Booker T. & the M.G.’s circa 1967 (L–R): Donald “Duck” Dunn, Booker T. Jones (seated), Steve Cropper and Al Jackson Jr. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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

The tribute to Cropper posted on Facebook last week on the Stax Museum Of American Soul page. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Booker T. & The MG’s: “Green Onions” (1962, written by Steve Cropper, Al Jackson Jr., Booker T. Jones and Lewie Steinberg).

Booker T. & The MG’s: “Jingle Bells” (1966, written by James Lord Pierpont, arranged by Booker T. & The MG’s).

Otis Redding: “White Christmas” (1967, written by Irving Berlin).

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

Otis Redding: “Merry Christmas Baby” (1968, written by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore).

The Blues Brothers: “Soul Man” (Live performance from November 1978 on “Saturday Night Live”. Written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

Music Monday: September 15, 2025

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

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Last month I celebrated the 50th anniversary of the most important album in my world. Today I am honoring the second one, released 60 years ago. Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul was released on September 15, 1965. This album is the one that helped me love this man for more than his posthumous #1 masterpiece, (“Sittin’ On The) Dock Of The Bay”.

Otis Blue featured eleven tracks including three songs written by Redding (with one of them co-written with soul singer Jerry Butler), a Jagger-Richards tune and three songs written by Sam Cooke, one of Redding’s idols. The album is resplendent with his signature achingly impassioned vocal in every note while the house band at Stax-also known as the incomparable Booker T & The MG’s-keeps up with his energy and drive. And the band’s virtuoso guitarist, Steve Cropper, along with label co-owner Jim Stewart (1930-2022), produced the album with renowned engineer Tom Dowd (1925-2002) who worked with dozens of artists including Aretha Franklin, Cream, The Allman Brothers Band and Eric Clapton.

Earlier in 1965-March to be exact-another album by Redding was released, The Great Otis Redding Sings Soul Ballads. The collection includes covers of Sam Cooke’s “Nothing Can Change This Love” and Jerry Butler’s “For Your Precious Love” along with the Redding-Cropper collaboration, “Mr. Pitiful”, amongst its 12 tracks.

Last week marked Redding’s 84th birth anniversary. He was born on September 9, 1941 in Dawson, Georgia and was raised in Macon. He started singing in church and later in talent shows. By 15 when he left school to help support his family, he was singing with Little Richard (who inducted Redding into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1989). By 1962 he had recorded & released his first hit with Stax, “These Arms Of Mine”. Over the next impossibly short five years, he established himself as The King Of Soul with notable performances at The Apollo Theater in 1963, The Whisky a Go-Go in 1966 & The Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 before his death in a plane crash at the end of that year on December 10. Sixty years later, Otis Blue remains the pinnacle of Redding’s career.

Above: Otis Redding circa 1965. (Image found on OtisRedding.com. Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Otis Redding: “Respect” (1965, written by Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “A Change Is Gonna Come” (1965, written by Sam Cooke).

Otis Redding: “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” (1965, written by Jerry Butler and Otis Redding).

Otis Redding: “Shake” (1965, written by Sam Cooke).

Otis Redding: “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1965, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards).

Otis Redding: “You Don’t Miss Your Water” (1965, written by William Bell).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: September 19, 2022

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to another edition of Music Monday.

Music Monday

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

September 9 marked the 81st birth anniversary for The King Of Soul. Otis Ray Redding Jr. was born in 1941 in Dawson, Georgia and lived in that state for his entire all too brief life. Like many soul and R&B artists, he started his career singing in church when he was a child. By the age of 17 he had already won numerous local talent shows and became a member of Johnny Jenkins and The Pinetoppers.

In 1962 Redding drove Jenkins to Stax Records in Memphis to record a few songs. His session ended early so Redding was given that time to record some of his own tracks by none other than Jim Stewart, one of the owners of Stax. The rest of the story involves five incredibly short but unbelievably powerful years that would account for Redding’s entire career. And what an outstanding one it was.

If you are not already a fan, I suggest you find any of his performances from the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival on YouTube and watch them. I promise it will not only change your mind, but your life as well. The energy, the passion, the soul, the presence, the unmitigated joy this man experienced on a stage was unmatched. That is why he remains a legend in every sense of the word.

Today’s song holds the number two spot on my top ten list of favorite songs of all time. The album of the same name was released in February 1968, a mere two & a half months after his death. But it changed music forever, as did Redding himself.

“Look like nothin’s gonna change
Everything still remains the same
I can’t do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I’ll remain the same”.

Otis circa 1965

Otis Redding circa 1965. (Image courtesy of otisredding.com. Original source unknown.)

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

Stay safe and well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 219

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Thoreau quote 2

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

In 1978 SNL cast members John Belushi & Dan Aykroyd introduced us to their singing counterparts, The Blue Brothers, through the song, “Soul Man”. At one point in the tune, Belushi said “Play it, Steve”. That Steve is the innovative legendary guitarist Steve Cropper who has been gracing the world with his impeccable talent for six decades. Today marks his 79th birthday.

Born today in 1941 in Missouri, his family relocated to Memphis when he was nine. He started playing guitar at age 14 and the first band he was in went on to become a session band, The Mar-Keys. That brought Cropper to the attention of Stax Records owner Jim Stewart who hired Cropper as the label’s A&R man. Around the same time he co-founded his own group, Booker T & The MG’s with keyboard player Booker T. Jones, drummer Al Jackson Jr. and bassist Lewie Steinberg, who was eventually replaced by Donald “Duck” Dunn. That band was unique for two reasons: their trailblazing sounds which formed the foundation of southern soul music with elements of funk sounds and despite the fact that it was Memphis, Tennessee in 1962, the band was an equal balance of race with two white members and two black members.

Booker T & The MG’s became the house band at Stax and set the sound, tone & rhythm for the label, just as The Funk Brothers were doing for the Motown label in Detroit. Cropper not only played guitar for his group but started composing songs with many of the singers on Stax. He co-wrote “Knock On Wood”, “Raise Your Hand” & “634-5789” with Eddie Floyd, “In The Midnight Hour” (Day 131) with Wilson Pickett and “Mr. Pitiful”, “The Happy Song”, “Just One More Day” & “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay” (Day 28) with Otis Redding. He & Cropper had become good friends and it was left to him to finish & produce “Dock Of The Bay” after Redding’s tragic death in 1967. It became a #1 hit in March 1968 for four consecutive weeks.

Cropper, who appeared in both Blues Brothers films (released in 1980 & 1998, respectively), is still actively playing & touring. He is considered to be one of the greatest guitar players of all time. He has contributed his signature sound or produced records by Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Levon Helm, Albert King, Roy Orbison, Rod Stewart, Leon Russell, Etta James. Art Garfunkel, Peter Frampton, Dolly Parton and John Mellencamp. He released 11 solo records between 1969-2018 and 13 albums with Booker T & The MG’s between 1962-1994, including today’s song which hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart & #1 on the R&B chart in 1962. It is considered one of the finest instrumentals ever recorded and I concur.

Booker T The MGs

Crop

Top: Booker T & The MG’s circa 1962 (L-R): Donald “Duck” Dunn, Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper & Al Jackson Jr. Bottom: Cropper & his beautiful talented hands circa 2000. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Booker T & The MG’s: “Green Onions” (1962, written by Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Lewie Steinberg & Al Jackson, Jr.).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 28

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

music heart

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Today’s song is less than three minutes long but the first time I heard it my whole life changed.  And every time I have heard it since I am overwhelmed by two very distinct emotions:  sheer utter joy and deep heartbreaking sadness.  I am elated that Otis Redding was here on earth, albeit too briefly, to give us every recording we have of him.  But I am unbearably sad that he died at the age of 26.  Of all the artists who died young, I believe his was the most tragic.  Not only because we lost his immense talent, but because he left a young wife and three small children behind.  The four of them have worked tirelessly for the last 50 years to keep his music and legacy alive.  However, even without those efforts, the legend of the man crowned “The King of Soul” is not one that could ever be erased, despite the fact that his career lasted only five short years.

Redding wrote many of his own songs and gave one of them to Aretha Franklin who turned “Respect” into a monster hit and eventually her signature tune.  He began writing today’s track a few weeks after his renowned performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967.  He went on to write the rest of the music and lyrics with his friend Steve Cropper, the guitarist for the group, Booker T & the MG’s.  However, Redding was still working on ideas for additional vocals for the record when he died in a plane crash on December 10, 1967.  So the task of completing the song fell on Cropper who did so despite his own grief over his friend’s death.  The result became a number one song in March 1968 and one of the greatest recordings of all time.  It holds the number two spot on my top ten list of favorite songs of all time.

Otis Monterey

Otis Redding at the Monterey Pop Festival June 1967 (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

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

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Christmas Song Of The Day #1

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Hello, Vixens!!!  How are your Christmas plans coming along?  Are you getting all your shopping/baking/decorating/celebrating/wrapping done?  I try to adhere to a less is more approach to this season (operative word here is “try”), but it always includes some great music.

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Source:  caryschmidt.com

So while you are knee deep in holiday preparations, give yourself a well deserved break by pouring a mug of your favorite beverage, grabbing a Christmas cookie or candy cane as a snack, and indulge in the sounds of the season.

Today’s song was featured in one of my all-time favorite movies, holiday or otherwise, “Love Actually“.  It is by a man who, as of today, has been sadly & unbelievably gone from this world for 48 years.  But thankfully, the phenomenal gift of his voice stays with us in such classics like “(Sittin’ On ) The Dock of The Bay“, “Try A Little Tenderness“, “Shake” and “I Can’t Turn You Loose“.  Please note that I do not own the rights to the music or the videos.  I am just sharing my favorites and some great performances from the man himself 🙂 .

Here is Otis Redding’s sublime rendition of “White Christmas“.

Enjoy!!!

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                   Source:  OtisRedding.com