Best remembered historically as the studio band for Stax-Volt Records during the 1960s, Booker T. and the MGs created the Memphis Sound behind the hit recordings by Carla and Rufus Thomas, Otis Redding, Sam and Dave and others.
Booker T. Jones began working at Stax Records in Memphis as a saxophonist in 1960. In 1962, Booker T. and the MGs were formed as the house band for Stax-Volt Records. Steve Cropper and Donald Dunn, who had been members of the Mar-Keys, played on the group's 1961 instrumental hit Last Night. Dunn remained with the Mar-Keys until 1964 when he replaced the group's original bassist Lee Steinberg.
In the early 1960s, Booker T. and the MGs provided the instrumental backing for Carla Thomas and her father Rufus Thomas (Walkin' the Dog). Their reputation as a band in their own right was established in 1962 with their instrumental hit Green Onions.
Over the next 7 years, the group recorded independently and backed various Stax acts, while individuals also pursued their own careers. Jones worked with artist-producer William Bell and co-wrote the blues classic Born Under a Bad Sign. Cropper supervised the recordings of Otis Redding and co-wrote hits by Wilson Pickett (In the Midnight Hour), Eddie Floyd (Knock On Wood) and Otis Redding (Dock of the Bay). Al Jackson produced blues guitarist Albert King.
Booker T. and the MGs served as the backing band for Sam and Dave's Hold On I'm Coming and Soul Man.
On their own, Booker T. and the MGs had R&B hits with Hip Hug-Her, Groovin', Soul Limbo and Time Is Tight.
In 1967, the group toured the UK in support of Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Eddie Floyd, Carla Thomas and others. They backed Otis Redding at The Monterey International Pop Festival in June 1967.
In 1970, Booker T. and the MGs quit being the Stax house band, officially disbanding in 1972.
Jones moved to California and joined A&M Records as a staff producer. In the early 1970s he recorded three albums with his wife, plus the solo album Evergreen.
Cropper continued with session work and producing at Stax-Volt until 1975, when the label folded. He then moved to Los Angeles.
The group was planning a reunion when Al Jackson was shot to death in Memphis in October 1975.
The band did reunite with Willie Hall on drums for Universal Language, and Jones later recorded three solo albums for A&M. Jones, Cropper and Dunn recorded with others as the RCO All-Stars. Cropper and Dunn recreated their distinct style behind The Blues Brothers on tours and albums as well as in the movie The Blues Brothers in 1980.
In 1988, Booker T. and the MGs reunited with drummer Anton Fig to play at Atlantic Records' 40th anniversary show at Madison Square Garden and subsequently stayed together for several years to perform as Booker T. and the MGs.
In October 1992, Jones, Cropper and Dunn joined session drummer Jim Keltner to serve as the house band for the 4-hour Bob Dylan tribute at Madison Square Garden.
In 1994, Jones, Cropper and Dunn recorded their first album in 17 years, That's the Way It Should Be, with session drummers. Cropper and Dunn reunited in the Blues Brothers Band for the 1998 movie Blues Brothers 2000.