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Booker T. & the M.G.'s

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Booker T. & the M.G.'s
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1962 in Memphis, Tennessee, United States
FounderBooker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Lewie Steinberg, Al Jackson Jr.
Headquarters
Memphis
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Lewie Steinberg, Al Jackson Jr., Donald "Duck" Dunn
ProductsInstrumental music, R&B, soul jazz recordings

Booker T. & the M.G.'s emerged in 1962 in Memphis, Tennessee, as an American band specializing in instrumental, R&B, and soul jazz genres. They played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of Southern and Memphis soul music. The founding members included Booker T. Jones on organ and piano, Steve Cropper on guitar, Lewie Steinberg handling bass duties, and Al Jackson Jr. on drums. Functioning as part of the Mar-Keys—the rotating house band for Stax Records—they contributed to numerous recordings by artists such as Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Bill Withers, Sam & Dave, and Albert King. Alongside their session work, they released instrumental tracks under their own name, with the 1962 hit single "Green Onions" standing out prominently. As principal creators of the Stax sound, they became one of the most impactful and widely emulated bands of their time.

In 1965, Donald "Duck" Dunn replaced Steinberg on bass and remained with the group until his passing in 2012. After the tragic 1975 killing of Al Jackson Jr., Dunn, Cropper, and Jones occasionally reunited with various drummers including Willie Hall, Anton Fig, and Steve Jordan.

The band received numerous honors: induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, entry into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville in 2008, recognition by the Memphis Music Hall of Fame in 2012, and inclusion in the Blues Hall of Fame in 2019.

Featuring two white members (Cropper and Steinberg/Dunn) alongside two Black members (Jones and Jackson Jr.), Booker T. & the M.G.'s stood among the earliest racially integrated rock ensembles during a period when Memphis soul was predominantly linked to Black culture.

Early years: 1962–1964

Booker T. & the M.G.'s originated as Stax Records’ house band, supporting artists like Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. In the summer of 1962, keyboardist Booker T. Jones, guitarist Steve Cropper, bassist Lewie Steinberg, and drummer Al Jackson Jr. were recording sessions in Memphis with former Sun Records artist Billy Lee Riley. During breaks, they crafted a blues-infused organ riff that Stax president Jim Stewart decided to capture on tape. Cropper recalled that this riff was inspired by an earlier idea Jones had developed weeks prior, which led to recording a second track.

Initially, Stewart preferred releasing "Behave Yourself" as the A-side; however, Cropper along with Memphis radio DJs advocated for "Green Onions" to lead. Consequently, Stax issued the single featuring "Green Onions" backed by "Behave Yourself." After heavy rotation by Memphis DJ Reuben Washington, public interest surged dramatically.

The single reached number one on the US Billboard R&B chart and climbed to number three on the pop chart. It sold over a million copies and earned a gold disc. The track has since appeared in numerous films including American Graffiti.

Later that year, they released an entirely instrumental album titled Green Onions, combining original compositions with instrumental versions of popular songs.

Throughout the 1960s, Booker T. & the M.G.'s continued issuing instrumental singles and albums while primarily serving as Stax’s principal studio band.[1] They provided backing for prominent artists such as Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Albert King, Johnnie Taylor, Eddie Floyd, the Staple Singers, Wilson Pickett, and Delaney & Bonnie.[1]

Their contributions include seminal tracks like "Walking the Dog", "Hold On, I'm Comin'", "Soul Man", "Who's Making Love", "I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now)", and "Try a Little Tenderness". Alongside Detroit's Motown Funk Brothers, they helped define Southern soul with a strong emphasis on groove.

During the mid-1960s, Jones often pursued full-time music studies at Indiana University.[1] Producer Isaac Hayes frequently filled in on sessions when Jones was unavailable; on some occasions they collaborated together. Although Hayes was never a formal member, he played keyboards on the 1965 hit "Boot-Leg", a studio jam attributed to Booker T. & the M.G.'s despite Jones not participating. Originally intended for release under the Mar-Keys moniker—a Stax house band alias—the record was credited to Booker T. & the M.G.'s due to their higher commercial profile.

The Stax house band lineup—which included Cropper, Jackson, Jones, Steinberg, bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn (from the Mar-Keys), keyboardist Hayes, along with horn players Floyd Newman, Wayne Jackson, and Andrew Love (later known as part of the Memphis Horns)—established a benchmark for soul music production quality. While Motown’s Detroit headquarters earned the nickname "Hitsville U.S.A.", Stax’s Memphis studio became known as "Soulsville U.S.A."

Later achievements: 1965–1969

Between 1963 and 1965, Booker T. & the M.G.'s issued several singles, though only a handful charted and none equaled the impact of "Green Onions." Their sophomore album, Soul Dressing (1965), primarily showcased original material. Following contributions to this record, Steinberg departed, allowing Dunn to assume the role of full-time bassist.

In 1965, while touring Los Angeles as part of the Stax Revue, three members of the M.G.'s participated in an impromptu jam session that produced "Hole in the Wall," released under the name the Packers. This single climbed to number 43 on the Billboard charts and reached the Top 30 on Cash Box. Subsequent releases by the Packers did not feature Booker T. & the M.G.'s involvement.

After experiencing a downturn in commercial success, Booker T. & the M.G.'s re-entered the Top 40 with their 1967 instrumental "Hip Hug-Her," highlighted by Jones’s distinctive Hammond B-3 organ playing. Their rendition of the Rascals' "Groovin'" also achieved popularity; both songs were included on the Hip Hug-Her album.

During spring 1967, they joined the Stax/Volt Revue for a European tour, performing both independently and as backing musicians. That June, they appeared at the Monterey Pop Festival, supporting acts like Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin. Although invited to perform at Woodstock in 1969, they declined due to logistical challenges.

In 1968, they released Doin' Our Thing and Soul Limbo. The title track "Soul Limbo", which featured marimba played by Terry Manning, became a notable hit and was later adopted by the BBC for cricket broadcasts. Their interpretation of "Hang 'Em High" also attracted attention. The following year, "Time Is Tight", composed by Jones for the soundtrack of Up Tight!, reached number six on Billboard’s pop chart.

The Mar-Keys name was revived in 1969 for the album Damifiknow!, credited to a sextet comprising Cropper, Dunn, Jones, Jackson, along with horn players Andrew Love and Wayne Jackson. Despite this effort, the album went largely unnoticed, and soon after, the primary quartet resumed performing under the Booker T. & the M.G.'s moniker.

Reimagining the Beatles' Abbey Road and collaboration with CCR

By 1969, both Dunn and Jones held great admiration for the Beatles, particularly their Abbey Road album. This admiration was mutual; The Beatles had drawn inspiration from Booker T. & the M.G.'s sound. John Lennon expressed his appreciation by nicknaming them "Book a Table and the Maitre d's" and credited himself alongside his band as "Dr. Winston and Booker Table and the Maitre d's" on his R&B-influenced instrumental "Beef Jerky" (1974). Paul McCartney shared stylistic similarities with Dunn’s melodic bass approach. Although The Beatles considered recording Revolver at Stax Studios, they ultimately abandoned these plans due to fan opposition.

In 1970, Booker T. & the M.G.'s released McLemore Avenue, an instrumental tribute album covering thirteen tracks from Abbey Road, arranged into three medleys. The album cover cleverly parodied the famous Abbey Road image, emphasizing its homage.

That same year saw Booker T. & the M.G.'s share a stage with Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), opening for CCR’s January 31 concert at Oakland Coliseum—a performance documented on CCR's live album The Concert.

Jones's exit from Stax and the Melting Pot era

In 1971, Booker T. and the M.G.'s issued their last single and album under Stax, both named Melting Pot. The title track's rhythm-heavy groove gained underground popularity at New York City block parties and became a favored sample among rappers and techno DJs. The album version runs over eight minutes and features distinctive Hammond B-3 organ highlights performed by Jones. Additionally, it includes "Fuquawi," a composition inspired by Native American music, which was released as a single alongside "Jamaica This Morning."

Jones had departed from Stax prior to the recording of Melting Pot, moving to California due to his dissatisfaction with the new leadership under chairman Al Bell. To achieve a distinct sound, parts of the album were recorded at The Record Plant in New York City instead of the traditional Stax Studio. Similarly, Cropper left to establish his own studio in Memphis, driven by frustrations with business matters. Meanwhile, Dunn and Jackson remained with Stax, continuing their session and production roles; Jackson notably played a significant part in many of Al Green's successes during his collaboration with producer Willie Mitchell.

Following Jones's departure, the band—now simply called the MG's—released one final single titled "Jamaica This Morning" in October 1971; it did not chart, resulting in the temporary retirement of the group name.

Reunions during the 1970s

In 1973, Dunn and session guitarist Bobby Manuel brought in Hammond B-3 player Carson Whitsett to support Stax artist Stefan Anderson. Al Jackson later joined this effort, and although no official releases emerged, these rehearsals prompted Jackson and Dunn to revive the M.G.'s with Whitsett stepping in for Jones, performing under the name "the MG's."

The 1973 album The MG's, featuring Manuel and Whitsett instead of Cropper and Jones, did not achieve commercial success. Whitsett went on to back artists such as Bobby "Blue" Bland and Little Milton, with his compositions recorded by Johnnie Taylor, B.B. King, and Etta James. Manuel became a prominent figure in Memphis music circles, collaborating with Al Green and Albert King, and later founded HighStacks Records as a tribute to Stax and Hi Records.

By late 1975, Jones and Cropper (based in Los Angeles) along with Jackson and Dunn (in Memphis) intended to set aside solo projects for three years to concentrate on the band, now renamed Booker T. Jones & the Memphis Group. Tragically, just nine days later, Al Jackson—whom Cropper regarded as "the greatest drummer to ever walk the earth"—was fatally shot at his residence.

That same year, Stax producer Terry Manning was commissioned by Al Bell to finalize unreleased tracks from the classic lineup. Manning completed post-production on 12 songs at Stax studios; these recordings were issued as the album Union Extended in the UK and France in 1976.

With drummer Willie Hall (noted for Isaac Hayes's "Theme from Shaft") joining them, the surviving members regrouped as Booker T. & the M.G.'s to produce Universal Language for Asylum Records in 1977. The album met with poor commercial performance and critical reception, leading to another disbandment.

Throughout the next decade, Cropper, Dunn, and Jones remained active both as producers and performers. They joined Levon Helm's RCO All-Stars in 1977. That year also saw Cropper and Dunn become members of the Blues Brothers band, contributing to their chart-topping album Briefcase Full of Blues. Cropper, Dunn, and Hall appeared in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers featuring Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi; they later reprised their roles in Blues Brothers 2000.

1980s to Present

In 1980, Cropper, Dunn, and Hall appeared as integral members of the main band supporting The Blues Brothers.

By 1986, Jerry Wexler, former co-owner of Atlantic Records, invited the ensemble to act as the house band for Atlantic’s 40th anniversary celebration. When Jones was unable to perform due to illness, Paul Shaffer filled in. Subsequent rehearsals involving Jones, Cropper, Dunn, and drummer Anton Fig resulted in occasional live appearances throughout the late 1980s and a tour across the UK in 1990.

Following their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, Bob Dylan recruited Jones, Cropper, and Dunn to serve as the house band for his "30th Anniversary Concert," where they supported artists such as Dylan himself, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, and George Harrison. In 1993, Neil Young invited the group to accompany him on his global tour, which included renditions of "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay."

Their first album in nearly two decades, That's the Way It Should Be, was released in 1994 and featured drummer Steve Jordan on most tracks.

The band acted as the house band during the 1995 inauguration of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum in Cleveland, providing backing for artists including Aretha Franklin, Sam Moore, John Fogerty, and Al Green.

In 2002, Jones, Dunn, and drummer Steve Potts contributed to Neil Young’s album Are You Passionate?. That same year, Cropper joined Isaac Hayes and Sam Moore in honoring Stax president Jim Stewart at his Hall of Fame induction; Cropper and Hayes were subsequently inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Booker T. & the M.G.'s continue to perform select shows with Potts on drums. Early in 2008, they supported singer Guy Sebastian on a sold-out tour throughout Australia.

Ranked number 93 on Rolling Stone's 2004 list of the 100 Greatest Artists, the group was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. That year also saw Eric Clapton feature Jones, Cropper, and Dunn as his house band for the inaugural "Crossroads Guitar Festival" held in Dallas; this event was later released as a two-disc DVD.

Jones collaborated with Drive-By Truckers on their 2009 album Potato Hole, which included Neil Young on guitar. His solo release The Road from Memphis (2011) earned a Grammy Award.

After Dunn passed away in May 2012 following concerts in Tokyo, the band largely ceased activity. Cropper continues touring with the Blues Brothers, while Jones has embarked on a solo career releasing new material under his own name.

Band Name

Stax’s publicity traditionally asserted that the initials "M.G." stood for "Memphis Group," rather than referencing the MG sports car. However, musician and producer Chips Moman, who was involved with Stax during the band's inception, explained that the name originated from his own sports car. Following his departure from Stax, company promotions redefined "M.G." as "Memphis Group." Notably, Moman had previously played alongside Jones and Steinberg in a band called the Triumphs—also named after his automobile.

Jones confirmed Moman’s version during a 2007 interview with National Public Radio and reiterated it during an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman in 2012. According to Stax historian Rob Bowman, the "Memphis Group" explanation was likely created to circumvent trademark conflicts. In 2019, Steve Cropper acknowledged both stories regarding their origin and mentioned that fellow member Duck Dunn humorously suggested "Musical geniuses!" when asked about their name’s meaning.

Members

Additional musicians
  • Jim Keltner – drums (1992–1993; Bob Dylan concert; Neil Young tour)
  • Anton Fig – drums (1986, 1998)

Timeline

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id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards
id:lguitar value:teal legend:Lead_guitar
id:rguitar value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:add value:yellow legend:Additional_musician
id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album
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at:15/03/1965
at:15/11/1966
at:30/11/1966
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at:15/04/1968
at:15/09/1968
at:15/01/1969
at:15/05/1969
at:15/04/1970
at:15/01/1971
at:01/07/1973
at:01/05/1977
at:01/10/1994

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bar:BJ text:"Booker T. Jones"
bar:CW text:"Carson Whitsett"
bar:SC text:"Steve Cropper"
bar:BM text:"Bobby Manuel"
bar:LS text:"Lewie Steinberg"
bar:DD text:"Donald 'Duck' Dunn"
bar:A J text:"Al Jackson Jr."
bar:WH text:"Willie Hall"
bar:JK text:"Jim Keltner"
bar:SJ text:"Steve Jordan"
bar:AF text:"Anton Fig"
bar:SP text:"Steve Potts"

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bar:BJ from:01/01/1992 till:end color=rguitar width=3

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bar:SC from=01/09/1975 till=01/06/1977 color=lguitar width=11
bar:SC from=01/01/1992 till=end color=lguitar width=11

bar:L S from=start till=01/03/1965 color=bass width=11

bar:A J from=start till=31/10/1971 color=drums width=11 
bar:A J from=01/01/1973 till=01/10/1975 color=drums width=11 

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bar:J K from=01 /01 /1992 till=31 /12 /1992 color=drums width=11 
bar:J K from=01 /01 /1992 till=31 /12 /1992 color=add width=3 

bar:S J from=01 /01 /1993 till=31 /12 /1997 color=drums width=11 

bar:A F from=01 /01 /1998 till=31 /12 /1998 color=drums width=11 
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bar:S P from = 01 / 01 / 1999 till = end color = drums width = 11

</timeline>

Discography

Studio Albums

  • Note that between late 1963 and early 1965 Billboard did not publish an R&B singles chart; data for this period is sourced from Cashbox.

Other Releases

  • 1967 – Back to Back [live] with the Mar-Keys, reached US No.98
  • 1968 – Compilation The Best of Booker T. & the MG's (covering years 1962–1967), Atlantic SD-8202; later reissued on CD with four bonus tracks
  • 1970 – Compilation titled Greatest Hits (covering years 1968–1970), Stax STS-2033; CD reissue includes six additional tracks
  • 1973 – Album The MG's, released without Cropper and Jones
  • 1976 – UK-only release Union Extended, containing twelve previously unreleased tracks recorded during the '60s
  • 1992 – Live album Funky Broadway : Stax Revue Live at the 5/4 Ballroom, featuring multiple Stax artists recorded in concert in 1965
  • 1994 – Compilation album The Very Best of Booker T. & the MG's covering material recorded between 1962 and 1971
  • 1995 – Collection titled Play the 'Hip Hits' , also issued under the name Soul Men in 2003; contains twenty-five unreleased tracks dating back to the '60s
  • 1998 – Anthology set Time Is Tight, a three-CD compilation featuring hits alongside rare recordings and live performances
  • 2002 – Album Stax Instrumentals, including twenty-five previously unreleased tracks with contributions by the Mar-Keys during the '60s
  • 2006 – Two-CD compilation titled The Definitive Soul Collection, encompassing recordings made between 1962 and 1971

Singles

Year Album Title Highest Chart Positions
US Billboard US R&B US Jazz UK
1962 Green Onions 33 — — 11
1965 Soul Dressing — — — —
1966 And Now! — 18 — —
In the Christmas Spirit — — — —
1967 Hip Hug-Her 35 4 — —
1968 Doin' Our Thing 176 17 — —
Soul Limbo 167 14 — —
1969 UpTight (soundtrack) 98 7 — —
The Booker T. Set 53 10 — —
1970 McLemore Avenue 107 19 — 70
Year A-side Track B-side Track Label Code Peak Chart Rankings Certifications Album Association


External links

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Larkin
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