Their first, and best known hit was 'Green Onions', which evolved from a blues riff that the band had jammed on whilst waiting to record a jingle. The character of the song was provided by Cropper's cutting guitar sound and the organ riff provided by Jones, and a series of subsequent singles followed this blueprint to some success.
Their confidence and compatibility as a band ensured they became the 'house' band on the emerging Stax label, and they were to play a major part in nearly all of the label's subsequent hits, such as 'In the Midnight Hour' (Wilson Pickett), 'Walkin' the Dog' (Rufus Thomas), and 'Hold On, I'm Comin' (Sam and Dave).
Jones had divided his time between recording and studying at Indiana University, and emerged with a BA in music, although their output appeared not to suffer - further hits followed with 'Hang 'Em High' and 'Time is Tight' in 1968 and '69 respectively.
The group eventually split in 1971, with Jones recording only with his wife Priscilla. The remaining band members stayed in Memphis and eventually released a disappointing comeback album with two new musicians added to the line-up. Jackson also worked with Al Green during this period, but was tragically shot dead in 1975 after disturbing intruders at his home in Memphis.
Cropper had already released a solo album back in 1969, and set up his own label but kept a low profile whilst continuing to issue further albums. In 1977 he joined Dunn and Jones and a re-formed Booker T. & the MG's released 'Universal Language'. Cropper and Dunn also had a brief acting career as members of the Blues Brothers band, appearing in the successful film of the same name in 1980.
An R&B revival in the late '70's saw 'Green Onions' become a hit for a second time, and a 1981 album, 'I Want You' was also successful. Despite all being involved in external projects, the group found time to tour the UK in 1990.
IF YOU LIKE THESE, YOU'LL LIKE BOOKER T. & THE M.G.'S: Otis Redding, The Meters, Wilson Pickett, Curtis Mayfield, Rufus Thomas, The Blues Brothers, Isaac Hayes.