Silent for more than two decades now, Booker T. and the MGs have lost another member since their most recent studio project.

Steve Cropper thought he was going to talk to Booker T. Jones because he could round out the band on keyboards. There’s a lot more to it.

We typically hear about Booker T. and the MGs’ impact on a series of later stars. But what about when the situation was reversed?

Booker T. and MGs were pioneers of funky-cool soul and Civil Rights-era forward thinking. But it might not have happened, but for a chance meeting at a local Memphis record shop. You May Also Like: Inside the naming of Booker T. and the MGs’ ‘Green Onions’ : ‘The stinking-est musicRead More

Booker T.’s “Father Son Blues” — which, yes, features his talented offspring Ted Jones — opens with a grease-popping organ lick before recapturing a groove familiar to anyone who ever soaked up a Stax Records side back in the day. You May Also Like: It’s unclear when, or if, BookerRead More

A sizzling outburst of lean pre-funk soul-rock, Green Onions introduced the world to the genre-jumping delights of Booker T, and the MGs. You May Also Like: Inside the naming of Booker T. and the MGs’ ‘Green Onions’ : ‘The stinking-est music I’ve ever heard!’ Booker T. and the MGs’ agelessRead More

We love Adele’s poise, her earthy attitude, the roiling emotion in her voice. So why don’t we love the newly crowned six-time Grammy winner’s album 21? Blasphemy, right? Read on as we share are thoughts on several of those who walked away with 2012 awards last night, including Tony BennettRead More

The Official™ SomethingElse! year-ending Top 10 list requires two or more of us to be in agreement as we gathered around the watercooler. It’s no easy task.

2011 brought its share of comebacks (Gregg Allman, the Meters’ Zigaboo Modeliste, the Time) Stax-related joys (both Booker T. Jones and Steve Cropper issued solo sides) and out-of-nowhere delights (Big Head Todd does the blues?). But how did they rank on my list? Read on, as I count down myRead More

His name is linked forever with the town, and the sound, of Memphis. But Booker T. Jones’ influence moves beyond Beale, into hip hop and today’s rhythm-and-blues — something that’s underscored on The Road from Memphis You May Also Like: It’s unclear when, or if, Booker T. and the MGsRead More