Steve Ripley, leader of the Grammy-nominated country rock band hybrid “The Tractors,” has died at his home last Thursday, the 3rd of January following a strenuous battle with cancer. He died at the age of 69.

The Tractors

The Tractors was a country rock band composed of a loosely associated group of musicians. Ripley served as their front man. And under his leadership, their debut single “Baby Likes to Rock It” attracted critical attention in 1994. 

Their 1994 self-titled debut sold more than two million copies and earned two Grammy nominations. “Baby Likes To Rock It” also earned the honor of CMA Music Video of the Year.

Legacy

Ripley continued on his career as a recording artist, songwriter, producer. He was also a radio host to the popular “Oklahoma Rock & Roll series.” He was also an engineer and an inventor. He created the “stereo guitar,” which is utilized by fellow guitar legends including Eddie Van Halen, Ry Cooder and Dweezil Zappa. 

Besides all these, he was also widely known as the owner of Tulsa, Oklahoma’s “The Church Studio.” He played guitar with Bob Dylan and was known for his line of Ripley guitars. 

In The Tractors website, he was described with heartfelt memories:

“[He was] a confidante of many luminaries of rock, country, and Americana music, and was represented throughout the industry for his gifts as an artist, producer, and technical innovations in the world of guitars, microphones, and sonic design. Once, while sitting at George Harrison’s recording console at Friar Park, Ringo Starr asked Steve, “Do you know how to run this thing?” To which Steve replied, “Well yeah, I guess I do. You know, it’s what I do.””

-The Tractors Official Website

It is but apt that Ripley leaves us with the words with which he closes all of his radio shows:

“Don’t forget, family is what’s important. Tell your mama you love her. Kiss your babies. We’re all in this together. Bye-bye kids…”

He taught us a lot of lessons during his lifetime, and he will be surely missed.