The Tractors Frontman Steve Ripley Dies At 69

Steve Ripley

ALL ACCESS sends condolences to the friends, family, and fans of STEVE RIPLEY, leader of GRAMMY-nominated Country-Rock band THE TRACTORS, who died at his home in PAWNEE, OK yesterday (1/3). He was 69 years old and had been suffering from cancer. THE TRACTORS are best known for their Top 15 hit, “Baby Likes To Rock It,” from their 1994 self-titled ARISTA NASHVILLE debut album, which was certified double PLATINUM by the RIAA.

In addition to his work with the band, RIPLEY was also a songwriter, producer, engineer, audio archivist, host of the radio series “OKLAHOMA ROCK & ROLL” for the OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, and inventor of the “stereo guitar” used by musicians EDDIE VAN HALEN, RY COODER, and DWEEZIL ZAPPA. He also owned THE CHURCH STUDIO in TULSA for 19 years. He opened his first studio, STILLWATER SOUND, in the early 1970s.

“STEVE was truly a creative genius,” said producer and former ARISTA NASHVILLE chief TIM DUBOIS. “He and I had known each other since the late 60s when we both attended OKLAHOMA STATE. Our musical careers took us down different paths, but when they crossed again in the early 90s, I was running ARISTA NASHVILLE, and he and a group of his TULSA friends were building THE TRACTORS. The music wasn’t exactly Country, but it was exactly great. Somehow we managed to get it on Country radio, the CMA AWARDS show, and sell over two million albums.”

“For more than 35 years I’ve been fortunate to call STEVE RIPLEY one of my true friends,” said VAN HALEN. “STEVE is many things: part genius, part musician, part inventor, and many other great things, but my favorite thing about STEVE is the wonderful, kind, humble human being he is and always will be. I love STEVE with all my heart and am proud to know him.”

RIPLEY’S family will announce a memorial service later. In lieu of flowers, they request donations to THE RED DIRT RELIEF FUND, which provides a safety net of critical assistance to Red Dirt music people in times of need. Donate here.

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