Donald Fagen (of Steely Dan) interview on NPR - September 20, 1988

[@russg1801]

Donald Fagen was thrown out of his college music department? No wonder he's never goin' back to his Old School!

[@ThePoehladian]

Lol

[@PatrickCSheehy]

hahahhahahhahahhaah!!!

[@GarryWootton]

Too many show bis kids who don't give a fuck about angbody else.

[@cactaceous]

Well that and the fact he was arrested in a drug bust along with Walter Becker and others and most were kicked out of school and unable to graduate.

[@akjam1]

The Steely Dan songs are so cerebral, painting iconic characters and scenery that is both cinematic and visual in its effect on the listener. There is an unexplainable complexity that is supported by sensibilities steeped in sophisticated musical taste and love of literature. Fagen is articulate about the creative process, in both a personal and historical sense ie; regarding influences. What is amazing is the almost accidental quality of how Steely Dan came to be, that Donald never intended to be the singer in the early stage of band formation. Obviously fate intervened magnificently in our favor, when Walter Becker and Donald Fagen met and formed what would be one of the most amazing bands that ever graced our world. Words come to mind such as, unrivalled, unmatched, irreplaceable and forever loved. 💙

[@bcs1793]

Their storytelling is indeed out of this world. Listening to Black Cow, Green Earrings or Hey Nineteen feels like reading a collection of short stories or watching an anthology series like The Twilight Zone. Or the amount of real life events they managed to fit in in Kid Charlemagne without ever mentioning a name.

[@dougcoleburn1579]

Back in 1987 at age 16 not knowing anything about Steely Dan I walked into Sam Goody record store and was going through the bargain bin tapes. There it sat - Steely Dan greatest hits $2.99. I liked the tape cassette cover art. Bought it and popped it in my Kenwood tape deck in my 69 Camaro. That day I feel in love with their music. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@joelglanton6531]

It's sad that kids won't know what it's like anymore to buy an album based solely on the artwork. I've had many hits and many misses selecting albums this way but I don't regret any of them!

[@PatrickCSheehy]

Right Fuckin On!

[@bryansarracino8623]

That’s far out and awesome

[@dougcoleburn1579]

@Marc you got that right!! Now if I had just hung on to the 69 Camaro!!

[@bryansarracino8623]

Was the the Decade album?

[@kendramiller3677]

God bless Donald and Walter for what they've done. Their music touched a lot of lives. Salute to the great Walter and great Donald. Not only for their music but for both of them.

[@salchaos]

Fagen is a humble genus, a man who isn't a performer but a brilliant musician/composer/singer, putting forth his and Walter's brilliant ideas in a totally unique and extremely revolutionary fashion.

[@sergeruffles1380]

i agree but he's not humble

[@brucecall1595]

Who became quite proficient at live performance later in his illustrious career. S.D. and miles Davis are my only link to jazz.

[@basehead617]

If there were a list of words I'd use to describe Fagen, humble would be somewhere near the bottom lol

[@austinlovitt8298]

@@basehead617 the opposite of humble would be proud or overbearing. I don’t see him as being either of those to a large degree. He’s not loud about it but I see him as being humble to a certain extent.

[@Guinevere.625]

@ASRDGEEK well said.

[@RJRKM]

Fagen & Becker two of the most important musicians of our time.

[@semafog1512]

Broadcasted from the foot of Mount Belzoni

[@robertjosephkeil]

Donald Fagen is a genius. Full stop.

[@peternewman1179]

Simply stated, One fall Saturday early evening back in the seventies, I tuned in my FM radio which had the best reception after dark in the boonies of NW Ct. where I lived. I had a very cheap Realistic brand AM/FM receiver with two fairly cheap stereo speakers. I was constantly frustrated with the sound of this system, however as I tuned into WPLR FM out of New Haven Ct. as they showcased the latest Steely Dan offering from the Katy Lied Release, "Your Gold Teeth Two" The recording quality of that material made my cheap shit stereo sound beautiful as that melodic intro filled my head. I loved that stereo that evening. Have never forgot that.

[@roundtownKen]

Love it. Likewise, I am of a generation... Jeff, a guitar teacher buddy loaned me an 8 track of Royal Scam. Something like an epiphany somewhere around Haitian Divorce. I would not have traded that tape for $100 dollars. Jeff knew what he was doing.

[@angelasmith8695]

@@roundtownKen My favourite of the 'Dan albums. Royal Scam

[@TKevinBlanc]

I think I was 16, getting a ride home - probably 1975 - spurned as usual at a party. The guy giving me a ride had just put a new Craig AM/FM cassette player in his car. As we cleared the neighborhood WPLJ crisped up and Ricki Don't Lose that Number came on. I suddenly understood cynicism and disappointment. What music.

[@williamdillard4291]

I had a Clarinet 20 cheap system from Radio Shack so I can relate. Great story!

[@LincolnLogster]

this is awesome

[@Vejur9000]

Musical genius. One of the greatest pop duos in music history. Long live Steely Dan.

[@creamydistortion]

The Old Town Henchmen are better.

[@lawrencebullock5641]

People say they're happy to have been alive during the reign of The Beatles, Bob Dylan. I would present that I'm happy to have been alive during the years of Steely Dan, and solo careers of Fagen and Becker.

[@stevekatz4372]

I agree and I also am blessed to have live through this era of music and these guys, IMO have really revolutionized the Jazz/Rock scene!

[@simonbeard7537]

I agree 100%. They represent a high watermark, musically. The important thing is the PLEASURE they gave to the world.

[@RJRKM]

All of the above. Lucky man

[@danolson5387]

I've always said that Steely Dan was the 1970's Beatles, and the American Beatles.

[@vir2ul1]

But without Bob Dylan you wouldn’t have had Steely Dan who they have acknowledged for opening up new ways of writing lyrics.

[@scubashooter]

The Nightfly has got to be one of the top 10 albums of all time.

[@jazzguitarmichael9753]

Yep! It never gets old. A masterpiece.

[@teresataylor4671]

I absolutely agree.

[@rc1363]

Top 5 album

[@johns.8082]

The Don should do a weekly radio show.

[@bobbywillis1466]

Late at night. Playing sweet music. WJAZ

[@MattSmith-iq1ld]

@@bobbywillis1466 He actually did a one off DJ show in the early 80's from NYC where he spun his favorite jazz, R&B and soul records. It was supposedly fantastic. He explained to listeners why the songs and performers and arrangements were so special from a musical perspective. He is a massive Marvin Gaye and Ray Charles fan.

[@IronMan-tk8uc]

@@MattSmith-iq1ld Really? I knew that he was a Ray fan but not a Marvin fan as well.

[@joelglanton6531]

@@MattSmith-iq1ld Wow, I would kill to be able to listen to that somehow. Maybe the audio will surface someday, somehow.

[@benvye4279]

Steely Dan's music sounds as great today as it did when most of their catalog was written and recorded-back in the 70's. Quality never gets old, never goes out of style.

[@GarryWootton]

When it's polished.

[@stevekatz4372]

One of my all time favorite bands and this is the all time best interview I have ever listened too!

[@BennyNegroFromQueens]

There is an even better interview that was done in 2019.

[@plembonicities6263]

It was around 1980 and I heard "Hey Nineteen" on the radio and then got a few Steely Dan albums because I wanted to hear more. Just brilliant. All of it. Many say these guys were great. I say they were among the very best.

[@PhilUKNet]

Great interview. So good to hear all these insights from the great man. Paul Shaffer should have had a word with this interviewer about allowing interviewees to speak and not interrupting them constantly.

[@renakmans3521]

The Nightfly is still in my top ten of all time. Others include: Crescent (Coltrane), My Song (Keith Jarrett), Moving Pictures (Rush), you get the idea...

[@sipesthebest128]

The Nightfly came out when I was in HS and was one of the 1st albums I bought...it is still an underrated masterpiece.

[@simflier8298]

I remember loving Rikki Don't Lose That Number at the age of four when it first came out over the radio. Something about SD's sound that drew me in then. Then came Peg, Josie and Deacon Blues. As a young kid I couldn't explain why I loved these songs so much. Later I found myself loving the sounds of complex chord compositions. That's what it was from the start. Their sound was off the beaten path. They carved their own roadway. What a ride!

[@reviveramesh]

What a fabulous interview. A true original donald fagen is of course a very clever wise and humble ....guy... creative genius

[@vir2ul1]

“If you want something to sound human it takes a lot of very sophisticated programming”. Think about that. And this was observed in 1988.

[@jcdova29]

Donald and Walter have done a remarkable job of keeping us in touch with jazz and blues. They have also added their own style. Lucky are those that discovered them.

[@Joesfosterdogs]

TRUE GENIUS...the music is great enough, but the lyrics are just as amazing and i never listen to lyrics...he paints pictures and stories with words and the music compliments this...two men impacted millions for generation...that's genius!

[@scottbales7552]

Top shelf libations shakin and stirred,to be best consumed in the dimly lit back room dives only accessible from the alley of streets parents are understandably United in their suburban biases and fearful concerns. Charlie freak out for a bit of my hard earned spoil inherited by the meir luck of my entitlements and excess of one's birth choosing self over all others. So I don't know if I rushed to where he could be found but did not have a good night out at the grotto, and you'll find my babs cozy and alone in the greasy chair of thoughtless love and book of numbers to take all the precious ones here and there. I can hold out here all night.

[@coryrad9575]

Thrown out of the music program !!!! ROTFLMAO ! Another perfect example of the value of an opinion .

[@racegts]

The “music teacher” sounds more like a music critic; complete loser!!!

[@ceefaxballard4961]

Thank you. This is amazing. Do you have anymore please?

[@MattSmith-iq1ld]

You have to love the LP copy of "Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders'" that is sitting next to the turntable on the "The Nightfly" cover. Great LP. Donald & Walter always said they were enormously happy that their jazz influences caused their non-jazz fans to explore their jazz roots, and I am certain that many jazz records were sold based on interviews that Donald & Walter gave where they referenced their heroes. Sonny is one of Donald's biggest influences, and he reminds me of Sonny in that he is always doubting his work. Sonny would sometimes go years without recording or performing due to insecurity despite his brilliance. Donald is very much the same way. He is always chasing perfection. He is also, like others have said, a very humble musician. I would love to check out Donald's record collection. It must be ENORMOUS. Not only all the jazz albums, but all of the gospel, R&B, good rock and roll, etc. He was influenced by so many things. I also wonder if he listens to vinyl records or CD.

[@MattSmith-iq1ld]

It still amazes me that Fagen was able to compose all of those super complex songs despite being basically a self taught musician. Some of those tracks like "Aja," "Deacon Blues," and so on require an advanced understanding of jazz harmony. Of course several jazz players were self taught as well. Some people just have it. I spoke one time to a studio musician who played on some Dan records who shall remain nameless who said that Donald Fagen has perfect pitch. Those sorts of things combined with working your butt off will get you somewhere. He really, really, really worked hard as a pianist in his youth and at college to be the best player and composer he could be. But I remember this one studio musician being amazed that in between takes that Donald could step up to the piano and play a Thelonious Monk piece to absolute perfection despite the fact that he couldn't read music. I mean, the real purpose of reading music is to be able to play other people's songs. Donald could just do it by ear. It makes me wonder what he could've done if he had formal training and could've learned to sight read. Then again, if you're writing tunes like "Tomorrow's Girl's," "Kid Charlemagne," "Doctor Wu," "Night By Night," "Babylon Sisters," "FM," "Negative Girl," "Godwhacker," and "Black Cow," who gives a dang?"

[@joelglanton6531]

@@MattSmith-iq1ld I'd accept that DF may have (or have had) near-perfect pitch, but I believe any fan of his who's delved into the Steely Dan live bootlegs will agree that he most definitely does not have perfect pitch. Of course, this doesnt take anything away from him as a musician, composer, or performer; the man is clearly a genius.

[@dalefoote2957]

Enjoyable intelligent interview of a unique artist.

[@edzielinski]

Wow - this interviewer does an outstanding job and was able to bring out a very deep and meaningful conversation with Fagen. I wish more interviews were like this with intelligent, thoughtful questions which respect the subject and provoke insight and reflection instead of going for awkward humor and tired tropes. Total class on both sides.

[@joelglanton6531]

The interviewer is a musician himself. I wish that they would do that more- have musicians interviewing musicians, filmmakers interview other filmmakers, etc.

[@billhavrilchak463]

Ed from Olyphant Pa.

[@billhavrilchak463]

Ed from Olyphant

[@florpcorp]

that's Ben Sidran. A great jazz player

[@zippy3711]

Ahh ! The Great Donald Fagen.....Cool organ...shred rock guitar... 30s-40s Horn back up and funky bass Who'd have thunk?

[@mr.enigma4475]

Earth Wind & Fire?

[@johnringoo756]

best interview of don. thanks.

[@willieanderson3009]

Marian McPartland's interview of Donald and Walter is pretty great as well, and is perhaps a bit less abstract and a whole lot funnier.

[@BennyNegroFromQueens]

Nope check out the 2019 interview. Amazing.

[@johnringoo756]

@@BennyNegroFromQueens ok. Thank you

[@willmcgregor7184]

OMG Founder of iconic Steely Dan kicked out of school. Well done ivory tower 🤪😳

[@stevekatz4372]

As far back as I can remember, the first time I heard a SD song was, "Ricky Don't Lose That Number" and at that time I thought it was a OK commercial tune which did not impress me all that much. I was really into Jazz Fusion & Prog Rock at that time but something made me buy one of their albums called "Pretizel Logic which had very good cover design which I was attracted too, so I tried it and since then I was really Hooked on their sound and It changed my Listening Life! WB R.I.P.

[@hardtruth]

Well done. Good questions. Good interviewer.

[@paulzollo9710]

this is so great. Ben SIdran is a great musician and interviewer of musicians.

[@joelglanton6531]

Great interview. Too bad it wasn't a little bit longer!

[@davidhoxit4274]

Grateful for your influence sir! Thanks beyond words

[@promerops]

This interview is really a superb companion to the music. Thank you! I, too, admire Henry Mancini - as a matter of fact, Mancini wrote a classical guitar piece, 'Prelude for Laurindo', for Laurindo Almeida.

[@ShimOhio]

He also wrote a March, named Timothy!

[@37Dionysos]

Surprised ol' crafty Don hasn't taken up comedian Allan Sherman's idea for a musical he meant to call (wonderfully), "South Passaic."

[@davidayer2168]

CORRECT: They are a small rock and roll orchestra.

[@stephenbirks6458]

Thankyou for sharing this great insight to the Dan !

[@terryfrancis1413]

I've been in love with Donald and his music since I first heard it back in the early 80s ❤️

[@charleswinokoor6023]

Funny that he mentions fallout shelters and stories he once heard about teenagers using them to throw parties. In 1967 (I believe) when I was 13, I visited an old friend of my mother’s who lived on a lake in Florida. He had a bomb shelter. His son and daughter, who were also teenagers, brought me and my sister into it. They had a record player and stereo system set up so that it was like a party room. I remember they were playing a Blue Cheer record. Now, unlike the Nightfly that’s not even close to jazz, but I still remember it. “Glamour Profession” was a fantastic song, but I find it odd that Sidran refers to it as having been s popular radio song. I was playing in a band back then, and I was never aware that it had been released as a single.

[@DavidCKendall]

Henry Mancini......YESSSSSS!!!

[@plena007]

For comparison, check out the interviewer’s son Leo Sidran conducting an updated interview with Donald Fagen: kzbin.info/www/bejne/majPZYePftJgg5osi=jFVyy7Qwh0PT9emQ

[@roberttimmins5670]

Thanks so much for sharing this - a fantastic interview.

[@mary71257]

Thank you !

[@bryansarracino8623]

Fagen is criminally underrated

[@slpyhd66]

Nice to hear the back stories.

[@reaganburrell9541]

1988 the sweet spot of modernity

[@vampyros1]

So while his school mates were out tossing the ball around, Fagen was Jew-nerding on jazz. I love him.

[@USALeonHeart]

He sounds exactly the same these days!

[@guitarman8686]

I don't go to school

[@thesimulation9651]

Word.

[@mjsmcd]

Like to know was one don or walter the music guy the other lyrics and were any songs written exclusively by becker or fagen but under becker fagen name like lennon mccartny did.

[@bryansarracino8623]

Man I love Donald

[@CGBootcamp]

Been listneing to Steely Dan since age 11, "King of the World" was my introduction.

[@rustycz21]

Would of loved to see them making videos of their early albums would be very interesting

[@spindriftdrinker]

Absurdly, I was familiar with Steely Dan from "Naked Lunch" before I had heard of the band. Maybe a year or two later I started hearing their music on the radio and liking it.

[@mattnorman8897]

Fagen mentions Eric Dolphy in “Blues and the Abstract Truth” this is where I wanna be hanging out!!

[@monicakrasniak1039]

Using common-sense can gets you where we want to go... Happy 2022!

[@jcbsplace]

cool

[@stephenrn1804]

… Okay I’m a little pissed I never got the call and I’ll admit it

[@Jams-ev2uq]

19:09 who could imagine that

[@michaelmattice4986]

:)

[@ianhendrytube]

Thank you!

[@RainmanCT]

Band name origin discussed and yet somehow the word "dildo" was not mentioned.

[@florpcorp]

and?

[@rayc7192]

and it's a large steel pleasure device that goes up your pussy...or ass in your case. A bit of an omission when asked how the band was named, innit?

[@tonywilmers1039]

Was the interviewer Ben Sidran ? Why didn't the Dan ever play in Sydney, Australia. My 330 y.o. carer and I regularly exchange Steely Dan quotes, as his step Dad played The Dan as a background to his upbringing. Almost overwhelmed when I heard of Walters' passing away !

[@MrSteelyd1]

They played Sydney in 2011. You blew it!

[@peterdoyle243]

Sounds like Ben Sidran to me - did you ever find out?

[@joeferguson2606]

damm, your carer is old

[@unknownkingdom]

He sounds bored out of his mind