Right up front, I've gotta admit that our tribute to the late guitarist, songwriter, and producer Steve Cropper mostly sticks to the obvious choices. I think that's okay; the picks are obvious because those are songs that collectively illustrate Cropper's prevailing impact and presence in pop music, particularly in soul music. We threw in lesser-known work with Ringo Starr and Big Star, but stuck mostly with the expected Stax studio superstars: Otis Redding, Eddie Floyd, Booker T and the MG's, the Bar-Kays, the Mar-Keys, Sam and Dave, and Wilson Pickett (the latter recording at Stax for Atlantic Records).
It seemed imperative to open the show with Sam and Dave's "Soul Man," because that's the first song I think of when I hear Cropper's name: PLAY it, Steve! That guitar. That guitar. If Chuck Berry played his guitar just like a-ringin' a bell, Steve Cropper's six-string writhed and swayed like a Southern pit viper fueled by moonshine and serpentine swagger. Soul man. Like King Elvis I, Steve Cropper was a white guy who could perform the blues. Like frequent collaborator Otis Redding, Steve Cropper was a talent that transcended color lines.
We have been privileged to live in a time of giants. Steve Cropper was one of those giants. Play it, Steve. We still hear you, from the midnight hour to the dock of the bay. This is what rock 'n' roll radio sounded like on another Sunday night in Syracuse this week.
NEXT WEEK: The 27th Annual THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO Christmas Show! And IN TWO WEEKS: On December 28th, THE COUNTDOWN!!
This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio with Dana & Carl airs Sunday nights from 9 to Midnight Eastern, on the air in Syracuse at SPARK! WSPJ 103.3 and 93.7 FM, streaming at SPARK stream, and on the Radio Garden app as WESTCOTT RADIO.
You can read all about this show's long and weird history here: Boppin' The Whole Friggin' Planet (The History Of THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL RADIO). You can follow Carl's daily blog at Boppin' (Like The Hip Folks Do).
TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS are always welcome.
Carl's latest book The Greatest Record Ever Made! (Volume 1) is now available, and you can order an autographed copy here. You can still get Carl's previous book Gabba Gabba Hey! A Conversation With The Ramones from publisher Rare Bird Books. If you like the books, please consider leaving a rating and/or review at the usual online resources.
The many fine This Is Rock 'n' Roll Radio compilation albums are still available, each full of that rockin' pop sound you crave. A portion of all sales benefit our perpetually cash-strapped community radio project:
TIRnRR # 1315: 12/14/2025
TIRnRR FRESH SPINS! Tracks we think we ain't played before are listed in bold
SAM AND DAVE: Soul Man (Atlantic, The Best Of Sam & Dave)
ALEX HARVEY: Agent 00 Soul (Universal, Shout: The Essential Alex Harvey)
THE LITTLE GIRLS: How To Pick Up Girls (Valley Pop, Thank Heaven For Valley Pop)
JIM BASNIGHT: Get It Out (single)
KING CURTIS: Memphis Soul Stew (Razor & Tie, Instant Soul: The Legendary King Curtis)
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THE CHRISVANDELAY PROJECT: Good Intentions (single) RINGO STARR: Step Lightly (Rhino, Ringo)
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OWSLEY: Dude (Lakeview, The Hard Way)
OTIS REDDING: (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay (Rhino, Otis!)
R.E.M.: Sitting Still (Hib-Tone, single)
KID GULLIVER: 24 Hours (single) --
THE POZERS: The Separation (single)
CHUBBY CHECKER: The Twist (Cameo Parkway, Dancin' Party: The Chubby Checker Collection [1960-1966])
THE MOTORS: Forget About You (Virgin, Approved By The Motors)
BIG STAR: Femme Fatale (Rykodisc, Third/Sister Lovers)
THE VELVET UNDERGROUND: Temptation Inside Your Heart (Polydor, Peel Slowly And See)
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BOOKER T AND THE MG'S: Green Onions (Atlantic, VA: The Complete Stax/Volt Singles 1959-1968)
THE MONKEES: Early Morning Blues And Greens (Rhino, Headquarters)
THE KINKS: Misty Water (Universal, The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society)
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EDDIE FLOYD: Knock On Wood (Atlantic, VA: The Complete Stax/Volt Singles 1959-1968)
THE MORELLS: Let's Dance On (Hightone, Think About It)
RAY PAUL: Some Sing, Some Dance (Permanent Press, The Charles Beat)
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The Greatest Record Ever Made!
WILSON PICKETT: In The Midnight Hour (Rhino, A Man And A Half)
LAURIE AND THE SIGHS: Midnight Love (Wounded Bird, Laurie and the Sighs)
THE RAMONES: Judy Is A Punk (Rhino, Ramones)
BEAUTS: Goodbye Judy (Zero Hour, VA: Power Pop From The Garage: Austalian Power Pop, 74-86)
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THE MAR-KEYS: Last Night (Atlantic, VA: The Complete Stax/Volt Singles 1959-1968)
THEE HEADCOATEES: Strychnine (Damaged Goods, The Sisters Of Suave)
THE BAR-KAYS: Soul Finger (Atlantic, VA: The Complete Stax/Volt Singles 1959-1968)
THE WOOLIES: Who Do You Love (Belvedere, VA: Michigan Brand Nuggets)
DEAN LANDEW: Summertime Friday Night (single) THE WHO: I Can't Explain (MCA, The Ultimate Collection)
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PERILOUS: Can't Stand The Holidaze (single) BLONDIE: Rip Her To Shreds (Chrysalis, Blondie)
JAMIE HOOVER: Surfin' With Santa (single) BOB DYLAN: I Want You (Columbia, Blonde On Blonde)
OTIS REDDING: Merry Christmas Baby (Razor & Tie, VA: Rockin' Christmas)
THE BEATLES: Strawberry Fields Forever [Take 26] (Apple, Anthology 4)
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BOOKER T AND THE MG'S: Jingle Bells (Stax, In The Christmas Spirit)
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