Steve Cropper could do it all: guitarist, producer, and songwriter. In addition to being the lead guitar player for Booker T & The MG’s, Cropper was the one of the people who made Stax Records so great. He died this week at the age of 84.

Cropper was particularly close to Otis Redding. In 1967, they co-wrote Redding’s final and biggest hit, (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay, which was released posthumously after Otis died in a plane crash.

We begin with Otis:

Here’s FCH regular Peggy Lee with an early cover of this week’s tune:

Richard Penniman rocked the Cropper-Redding classic in 1973:

A piano extravaganza from Katie Webster:

Ohio Players funked up this week’s tune in 1981.

A rare lead vocal from the songwriter:

Aaron Neville. Say no more.

What would the Friday Cocktail Hour be without instrumental versions of the week’s tune? This time, King Curtis followed by Pete Fountain.

That’s it for this week. Let’s drink to docks and bays. It’s what Otis and Steve would want. Never argue with them.