Who was Steve Cropper’s first wife? Inside his first marriage to Betty Elisabeth Grooms

Veteran guitarist, songwriter, and record producer Steve Cropper passed away at a rehab facility in Nashville, Tennessee, on December 3, according to The New York Times. The cause of death remains undisclosed. He was 84.

The news of Cropper’s demise was shared on his Facebook page on Wednesday. The lengthy post began:

“It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of Stephen Lee Cropper, who died peacefully in Nashville today at the age of 84. Steve was a beloved musician, songwriter, and producer whose extraordinary talent touched millions of lives around the world.”

It continued:

“While we mourn the loss of a husband, father, and friend, we find comfort knowing that Steve will live forever through his music. Every note he played, every song he wrote, and every artist he inspired ensure that his spirit and artistry will continue to move people for generations.”

The post cited Steve Cropper’s career achievements, and his family thanked everyone for their love, support, and respect in this “difficult time,” while asking for privacy.

Betty Elisabeth Grooms Cropper was Steve Cropper’s first wife. The marriage ended in divorce after 15 years.

He later married Angel Cropper and was together with her until his demise. Mr. Cropper is survived by his four children.

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All about Steve Cropper’s personal life

Betty Elisabeth Grooms and Steve Cropper were married between 1961 and 1976. They shared two children, son Stephen and daughter Ashley.

Betty was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in November 1941. Like her ex-husband, Betty was a songwriter. She now resides in Acworth, Georgia. A few of her song credits include the 1972 Billy Eckstine single, Today Was Tomorrow Yesterday, co-written by Mack Rice; and Jose Feliciano’s 1974 hit album, The Gypsy.

Steve Cropper remarried in the late 1980s. He welcomed son Cameron and daughter Andrea with his second wife, Angel Hightower Cropper.

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In brief, exploring Steve Cropper’s career

Born in October 1941 in Dora, Missouri, Steve Cropper spent the majority of his life in Memphis, where he was a pioneer of soul music and was the lead guitarist of the house band of the local Stax Records.

Later, he also played guitar for the instrumental, R&B, and jazz band, Booker T. & the M.G.’s, and made hit songs, including Green Onions, (Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay, Soul Man, Knock on Wood, and In the Midnight Hour.

Cropper was inducted into both the Rock & Roll and Songwriters Halls of Fame and earned two Grammy Awards during his nearly seven-decade-long career.

Steve, who was nicknamed “The Colonel,” was a member of the Blues Brothers band and performed frequently on Saturday Night Live with the frontmen, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.

He collaborated with other notable artists such as Otis Redding, Carla and Rufus Thomas, Sam & Dave, Johnnie Taylor, Eddie Floyd, and Wilson Pickett, among others.

In 2015, Rolling Stone ranked him 39th in their 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time list. Likewise, in 1996, Mojo, the British music monthly, named him the 2nd greatest guitarist behind Jimi Hendrix.

Steve worked solo on the albums Dedicated: A Salute to the 5 Royales, Fire It Up, and Friendlytown.

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Cropper’s longtime friend and associate, Eddie Gore, told The Associated Press that he was in rehab after a recent fall. Gore remembered Cropper as a “good human” and mentioned he was working on new music at the time of his death.