6 Things to Know About Booker T. & the M.G.'s Backing Otis Redding

They were the Stax house band Booker T. & the M.G.’s served as the backing band for Otis Redding on all his Stax recordings.

Their sound defined his hits The band’s tight rhythm section and organ-driven grooves were essential to Redding’s signature soul sound.

They recorded live in the studio Most tracks were cut live with minimal overdubs, capturing the band’s raw energy and chemistry with Redding.

The lineup was consistent The core members—Booker T. Jones (organ), Steve Cropper (guitar), Lewie Steinberg (bass), and Al Jackson Jr. (drums)—remained unchanged throughout Redding’s prime years.

They co-wrote songs with Redding Cropper and Jones contributed to writing some of Redding’s biggest songs, including “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay.”

Their collaboration ended with Redding’s death The partnership ended abruptly when Redding died in a plane crash in 1967, cutting short one of soul music’s most productive studio relationships.