My Old School - Steely Dan | The Midnight Special

Steely Dan performed on The Midnight Special August 31, 1973
Follow us on Social Media:
/ themidnightspecialtvshow
/ themidnightspecialtvshow
/ themidnightspecialtvshow
/ tmstvshow

[@22fitzp]

These Steely Dan clips are a godsend as the band made very few live televised appearances - this clip is 50 years old and it's great to see Fagen, Becker, Skunk, et al tearing it up.... cheers Midnight Special.

[@gregoryduncan3067]

Their Midnight Special appearances are the brunt of it. Very little more exists aside from TMS appearances.

[@spencerphayes]

would you happen to know the name of the guitarist with the beard? they zoom in on him at 2:36

[@gordoh7634]

​@@spencerphayes Denny Dias

[@spencerphayes]

@@gordoh7634 thank you!!

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Couldn't agree more! 🥰

[@miketuttle9319]

There is nothing more early seventies than those two backup singers, they are awesome.

[@gaychiappetta5817]

Agree! Anybody know who they are?

[@EvanDahill]

Who they be?

[@jimwiesen2278]

@@EvanDahill Jenny “Bucky” Soule in the green hat and Gloria “Porky“ Granola with the long blond hair.

[@christopherwall444]

Especially their wooden moves trying to get funky to music not at all constructed for bopping..stiff white girls

[@EvanDahill]

@@jimwiesen2278 Thank you!

[@BillLaBrie]

The best the 70s ever got.

[@pop9095]

If anyone ever needs a musical definition of "Tight", they can watch the Dan. Brick tight.

[@paulluskknives7320]

Steely Dan isn’t just a band, it’s more like a Hall of Fame for musicians.

[@Jim_L]

If Mick Jagger and Freddie Mercury had a child, I think he'd look like this young Donald Fagen. (Love this old clip!) 😄

[@robertthomson2159]

A simple song by Steely Dan standards but so enjoyable to watch.

[@ScottLaneMusic]

At this taping Porky & Bucky might be the greatest backup singer performance of all time

[@user-ju5go1hk7y]

Man, the girls of the 70's were great.

[@kevinmccarthy4088]

Doesn’t this bring back memories.

[@marksandor2830]

Yeah!! No tattoos, weird piercings, or colored half shaved heads.

[@romansone16radio39]

I know. I missed it by that much. 🤏🏽

[@michaelowens6533]

Weren't they just, lol. I was 16 years old in 1972.

[@vap0rland]

the 80s were also pretty damn nice as well. I can never get enough 80s hair...

[@PureNRG2]

Steely Dan is one of those bands you can not listen to for years, hear one of their songs, and you go right back to listening and enjoying like it was the first time.

[@kellywright540]

Just saw this and I was like thinking the same thing! Now I just need to find my Steely Dan cd's, dust them off and listen to some great music again!!!

[@SquidzitAce]

I can't imagine going years without listening to Steely Dan. 😢

[@marywatkins6798]

Takes me right back to the '70s. Loved Steely Dan.

[@PureNRG2]

@@marywatkins6798 For me, their music is timeless.

[@miketurner1768]

So good to these early videos. Always so fresh no matter how long ago it was,. Skunk is killing it on this one. 👍🎸🎸🎸

[@carlcelina5177]

Gorgeous girls and Jeff Baxter on lead guitar!! Awesome!!

[@franklopez2803]

Back in 1974, if you went on a date and she was wearing a tube top you felt so blessed.

[@allancerf9038]

Or even '73.

[@ryanodonnell4184]

@@allancerf9038🤣

[@Littlewildone0]

I was a 34 DD I could never wear a tube top

[@johng3698]

1976, my wife used to wear a blue and red all time during the summer. What wonderful days, young, and very carefree! Great music!!!!

[@missjune1955]

I graduated high school in 1973. I had Steeley Dan's album, and this was my all-time favorite song

[@marjoriecohn3868]

My favorite Steely Dan song.

[@bobbamford5207]

Mee Too!.

[@bcole8141]

Absolutely freaking amazing! I hated Steely Dan until about 30 yo. This is one of the best live performances ever

[@philbrown4574]

This is Steely Dan at their best! Thank you, Midnight Special!

[@Rockzilla404]

Skunk Baxter makes us forget that the studio version of this song had horns.. Awesome!

[@bigjohnson7415]

👍👍👍

[@Fantabiscuit]

The military technology adviser?

[@Rockzilla404]

@@Fantabiscuit Self taught military technology advisor..

[@Fantabiscuit]

@@Rockzilla404 amazing

[@sooch7316]

I swear he was channeling some Terry Kath into those solos....so good!

[@JustVisiting]

“Can’t Buy a Thrill” is one of my all time favorite albums. Every song a classic now.

[@Kenny-ko4hj]

Listen to stealy dan all through high school. Still love it..

[@josephgutkowski2059]

This is by far one of the finest and most original rock bands in music history. Steely Dan was basically two unbelievable geniuses. Donald Fagan and Walter becker.the duo was incredible. From king of the World to the caves of altamira, one great song after another, wonderful.

[@darrenrunning5415]

Any Steely Dan performance gets an automatic 'Thumbs Up' based on how few live performances from this era exist.

[@rebeccawagner4167]

Go back Jack do it again, 🎉🎉This is an amazing group on the Midnight Special 🎉🎉, they killed it🎉🎉

[@user-kd2nm4wp3l]

Skunk is on another plane of existence in this clip.

[@jimratliff2753]

I was 21 in '73. All the chicks were absolutely the bomb back then.....no ugly ass Sailor tattoo's on them, no piercing Bullshi55, no purple and green hair.....just the hottest, long haired, thin, knock-out good looks............natural and gorgeous. Friday and Saturday's we all went to the bars. No DJ's, no juke boxes, just live bands everywhere playing current cover songs and boy did we dance, chicks would come in, you bought them and drink and ever single girl wanted to dance and we danced until 2 AM. Sunday we burnt our clothes as they were ruined from all the sweat! No gangs, no thugs, no guns in the bars, very few with cover-charges....just smiling having hella fun times. God I think I danced with a 1,000 potential wifes......the babes were oh my.......everywhere. We had so much fun!

[@tunnelmotor9389]

Amen to that brother

[@toddperry9860]

Skunk Baxter burning up the guitar!

[@wayneturpen592]

Skunk is just tearin’ it up !!!!!! Now that’s what we all try to ascend to…

[@mathieumoreau1649]

Their songs were brilliant from the get-go. Such an amazing body of work.

[@bryannelson6139]

I love this! Real music, no phony backing tracks or lip syncing. Steely Dan was so good.

[@Progger11]

Musical artists have been back playing for decades. The Beatles did it. Buddy Holly did it. Whether an artist does this or not depends greatly on the venue, among other things. The Beatles and Buddy Holly are "real music." Them using backing tracks doesn't negate that. And whether your boomer mind can wrap itself around the concept, "real music" exists today as well. Just because you stopped looking for it doesn't mean it isn't there. A tree still makes a noise when it falls in the woods regardless, it turns out.

[@lesliegoodman-malamuth9796]

How often I mimicked them, as a girl!

[@trentk268]

These guys actually wound up over-overing everything. Each song on Aja and Gaucho had an array of top studio musicians.

[@stephenbuckley9940]

Steely Dan's first 4 albums stand up to virtually any other bands first 4 albums. Most bands take some time to find the their groove. Steely Dan had it right from the start. I would say Countdown to Ecstasy is one of the greatest second albums of all time. Brilliant stuff.

[@Tom-zs6bb]

They were 'more than a band,' as one documentary described them.

[@thejazzbass76]

Happy days No Autotune no earphones just go out on stage and play The Skunk had Denny Dias and Walter Becker in his back What a lineup Master class

[@cheerfuldragon5642]

Live! No auto tune, no lip syncing!

[@DaBlazesUSay]

I dialed this up to watch it thanks to Bill O'Reilly, and I'm glad I did.

[@thealaddinflash]

2023 69 years old and loving this example of modern rock music back in the 70s. They tore that stage up.

[@moreygloss9248]

Those lead breaks are so ruanchy, you are legally required to register as a s*x offender in 13 states if you dig 'em.

[@Sigma-INFJ.]

This video has just reached 1 million views. It just goes to show not only the importance of Steely Dan as a group, but also of The Midnight Special as an archive of unique and historical performances.

[@mathtrixmusiclix4248]

Historic and incredibly memorable . 🙏🏻

[@jeffc445]

Coolest Band Ever ☆☆☆☆☆

[@user-ye5wx3ts9c]

I could watch those back-up singers all day long!

[@CharlesMatheny]

I went to the College of William and Mary. We used to love it when Fagen sang "William and Mary won't do".

[@RMR1]

I went to Bard College, the school referenced in the song's title, in the mid-1980s. And, somewhat ironically, my daughter is now a junior at William and Mary. And we both love Steely Dan.

[@scotth2313]

It was sometimes referenced as another William and Mary but Fagen was pissed about the marijuana bust so it was no longer a William and Mary to him. Points to anyone who knows who the Asistant DA was that is referenced in the song.

[@richardshapiro412]

@@scotth2313G. Gordon Liddy

[@dewimatthews6037]

First Steely Dan tune i heard. Hooked by the guitar part.

[@Beecher_Dikov]

I was 13 and remember this live.

[@michaelsteven1090]

And no social media in sight..just creativity ..

[@John-wy9ks]

Jeff Baxter never gets the love he deserves as a guitarist. Guy's great! And some kind of missle defense consultant now!

[@ericblankenburg]

The music of the 70's had a lot of energy compared to the garbage that passes for "music" today.

[@ScottyPeabody]

The Dan is music you cannot turn off.

[@gwynnielsen5081]

Steely Dan has always been composed of exceptional musicians. It is always a joy to attend one of their concerts.

[@tonystone1016]

The Midnight Special was my connection to the outside world living in a small midwestern town. I'd heard Steely Danon FM radio but seeing them on Mom and Dad's Motorola was a major treat!

[@wayneingram3138]

Fortunate to see The Dan Twice. Great Shows.

[@mckenzie6593]

Jenny 'Bucky' Soule and Gloria 'Porky' Granola. A highlight of the performance. Great stuff.

[@michaelmcknight8419]

Oleanders growing outside her door. Beautiful.

[@dewimatthews6037]

Skunk Baxter : the man & The Legend.

[@user-wn8yx4oh4s]

How I envy the people who saw them live!!!!!

[@johnquinn456]

A national treasure

[@inthepit1968]

How are you not grinning ear to ear watching this? Absolutely fantastic.

[@AbbyNormal777]

Love this band❤❤

[@larrym2434]

I've only watched this video 20 times so far.

[@johnw9245]

Great video!! All the performers are amazing! I especially like the featured lead guitarist 🎸 👍

[@billd.6684]

Walter Becker is a rampaging beast!

[@Suburbangeek]

Yeah, I am!

[@paulapodaca7090]

Skunk was on fire 🔥

[@glenncbjones]

Seriously Paula, Mr. Baxter was walking on friggin WATER, you feel me? Donald Fagan was also just so amazing, straight from the heart, and right through the soul, and the most excellent backup singers were just perfectly concise and spot on, and obviously very thrilled to be part of whole consortium, and who WOULDN’T be? BTW: If I misread your handle and it’s Paul (or “Paul A.”), don’t bother with any gender reassignment, I love ALL of you Steely Dan fans faithfully and fully, regardless of your personal plumbing! - Namaste! Glenn Jones PS: I’d never seen this clip before, and I’m totally down with admitting I wept like a hungry infant! Because other than laughing at the beauty and absurdity of life, that’s what I DO, and I also highly recommend others to do likewise, but I will allow that it’s “their call” (ain’t I just the picture of generosity and tolerance?)… - XOXOXO!

[@paulapodaca7090]

@@glenncbjones It's Paul A. but loved reading your response!! You have great energy!! Have a blessed weekend

[@glenncbjones]

@@paulapodaca7090 Back atcha bro!

[@fishroy1997]

Dude Skunk is fire!

[@sobo9761]

SO SO COOOOL! And who knew my daughter Scarlet would be attending Bard RIGHT NOW! When I was a little listening to this song, I had no idea what he was talking about!!! Hahaha!!!.

[@spacedog8734]

Whoa wow this performance makes me sooo happy!!! Incredible ❤❤❤❤❤

[@philiptucci2458]

Magnificent Masterpiece from Master Musicians, fan for over 50 years, top of the line solid gold standard of excellence

[@soulthriver-oz6470]

OH. MY. FREAKIN. GOD! WHAT A TREAT TO STUMBLE UPON THIS. Genius level musicians, nothing like it now. i still listen to Steely Dan at home! THE VERY BEST MUSIC FOR ME.

[@mgalego4729]

Believe it or not, I only knew this song because of Leonid & Friends fantastic cover. Now I am looking forward for Steely Dan songs.

[@michaelfoort2592]

Skunk Baxter! So original and capable

[@fritzbender5050]

Those chicks look so happy ahh the 70's.

[@kathmandoo]

50 yrs ago and still better than most of the crap around today with the exception of a few amazing artists.

[@user-jp2th1md7r]

Everybody looks like they're having so such fun. You never see this kind of thing anymore.

[@cyrilmauras4247]

An actual LIVE performance on TV. Usually, bands have to lip-sync to a recording. 🥰

[@MrTgrewell]

This rules on so many levels and one of my favorite Steely Dan tracks.

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Oh yeah definitely!

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Yep! Well said, agreed!

[@andrewwaters9928]

Definitely my favorite Steely Dan song. How much fun to watch this in 2023!

[@tretower57]

I always loved this song and thought the one lyric was hilarious because my parents went to William & Mary :)

[@jonathanhudak2059]

@tretower57 oh yeah perfect song! Wow that's cool your parents went to that school and I never knew it was a school either lol!

[@Dan-zq5wt]

Damn, Skunk Baxter is one hell of a guitar player!

[@cmike956]

you know everyone was there to backup THE SKUNK amazing #1 guitar solo's

[@grahamelliott7276]

What a band !

[@scottrowe533]

Fantastic video! One of my favorite songs, featuring the one and only Jeff "Skunk" Baxter shredding hard on lead guitar, back in the days when rock music ruled the world! These guys all earned their pay on this one. My sincere thanks to the folks at The Midnight Special archives!

[@gwhitman1982]

Takes me back to 9th grade. Being a teen in the 70's was great. I will always love Steely Dan/Donald Fagen.

[@julenepegher6999]

I was in ninth grade too. I always say that: Being a teen in the 70’s was GREAT! 🎉

[@tshandy1]

Saw Steely Dan in Cleveland, OH, about twenty years ago. The backup singers were different then but also real babes. And of course, the band was very tight.

[@johntobin3235]

Nothing like walking the UConn campus in the early 70's looking at all the fine young ladies with this music blasting out of tens of dorm windows floating out into the quads. What a time to grow up...

[@MetalGod999]

It always amazes me how Steely Dan was so far ahead of their time with the music they created. Walter Becker & Donald Fagen were true geniuses who mastered their craft, while also making things look effortless. I often wondered why Steely Dan didn’t have more bands trying to copy them. But then I realized that the uniqueness of Steely Dan’s music was in its’ complexity and sophistication. Steely Dan. A band unlike any other. Masters of music.

[@StephanieJeanne]

Steely Dan is awesome! That was so lively and fun! Those guitar solos killed, and the backup singers were having a blast! Love it!😎

[@gordonbaker410]

Really shows what a force Skunk was in this band, doesn't it?

[@austinteutsch]

@@gordonbaker410 And the Doobie Brothers, too!!!

[@gordonbaker410]

@@austinteutsch Absolutely!

[@charlessutton9103]

Skunk built that guitar for the 'My Old School' recording sesh He said later he knew exactly how it would sound before he played it. Looks like a Rickey pickup at the neck.

[@troylowe814]

Skunk is a genius.

[@drivenmad7676]

What a great time for music.

[@dbgldcndr]

a surely deserved subscription price... wonderful performances here!!

[@andrewBwinter]

70's beauty. The girls are mesmerizing.

[@foto21]

Fagen is a pure savant of a songwriter. He just knows how to tell a story, and to pace it perfectly, while he's naturally coming up with great melodies. He's got IT.

[@davidmuir7711]

Whatever he has IT isn’t good looks.

[@hedonismunderstands2469]

@@davidmuir7711 definitely not pretty boys, innit...

[@HH-mw4sq]

@foto21 - his songwriting is one of the greatest ever as far as I am concerned. I remember listening to this song as a kid and loving the musicianship and singing along. Not until later in life as an adult did I realize what he meant by the phrase "35 sweet goodbyes". The poor kids nowadays have to deal with the "subtle" lyrics of songs like WAP. Other brilliant examples of Dan Fagan's include "Charlie Freak" and "Home at Last." There has never been another like him.

[@foto21]

You prefer BTS? Musicians aren't supposed to be models.@@davidmuir7711

[@robertgross2519]

I know right? Music was better when ugly people were allowed to make it.@@davidmuir7711

[@ilionreactor1079]

Those tuck-and-roll covered Kustom amps are a real flashback.

[@jimduffy3285]

Yes the 70’s on steroids right there. I hate the word but unique describes Steely Dan. I love their music

[@robertbeck1273]

Back up singers stole the show.

[@LucicPower]

It's too bad the one on the right looks like she had a double mastectomy

[@tim2012]

"Product placement" comes in many fine forms ❤

[@ZalMoxis]

Oh my that blondie back up singer..... 💞

[@totalrobot]

Gloria Yeager! Married to the Dodger Steve Yeager

[@ryanodonnell4184]

The only thing im looking at

[@robertacolarette1594]

She used to be part of Brazil 66 and then she played Lt. Dish on MASH the TV series.

[@cyyoung7840]

Steely Dan rocks 🪨 🎸

[@ConservativeAnthem]

Best backup singers I've heard...

[@BassPotter46]

Skunk killed it!

[@Steve-hs5le]

Dam,I was 11 year's old growing up in a little beach town in Southern California at this time. It's like the music just fit. The ladies back then seemed so much more beautiful.

[@carloscrbm7007]

Does anyone have a time machine to send me to the 70's, to see my beloved Steely Dan's live performances I couldn't see? Thinking better, send me to the 70s without a ticket to go back!

[@ronmicallef523]

To listen to SD made you feel so cool , like you'd discovered uranium or somethin'! I didn't understand half the lyrics .........which was even more cool . A bit like Zappa .....but even more cooooooooooool!😍😵‍💫

[@Macdaddy418]

Those "Home Plate " Jeans on the back up singer with the red tube top is as good as it gets - the 70s at their finest

[@pipermccool]

Between tube tops and Danskins, there weren’t a ton of bras around to burn. 😏

[@stebstebanesier6205]

Remember those high waisted jeans that had an exposed zipper from front to back.😛😛😛🤤

[@michaelcasey9570]

So fun to see Steely Dan, Fagen and Becker but best of all those backup singers. Man the 70s were so rich musically.

[@Gimenez528Hz]

Aren't they having a ball .. living their best lives 💅🏿..

[@neilwatkinson5640]

the dan on top form!!!! one of the best bands!!! so hot for the back up singer in the green hahahah )))) makes me smile every time i see this ))))

[@wizardofvinyl]

Those back up singers are goddesses. I can't take my eyes off of them 😍

[@Adam_Baum]

Neither could the cameraman 😁

[@cyyoung7840]

Agreed The backup singers are gorgeous 😍 ❤

[@garrrrrryyy]

Those back up singers are so dam sexy n hot wow and can sing too wow they look so sweet ❤❤

[@WilmerCook]

Bucky is HOT!

[@jimrhodes3487]

yes they are, and looking at Fagen kinda hurts the eyes... lol

[@GlennTillema]

One million views for a 50 year old song, not bad! I think I count for at least one hundred of those.

[@ginalorenzo]

I just adore DF 💕

[@jodyesperanza657]

Holy Crap! It doesn't get better than that! The most 1973 video ever, a great band, a great song, and those backup singers? Are you kidding me? Wow! Its a bit odd how subdued the crowd is, though.

[@RoryVanucchi]

Skunk always around big hits with Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers

[@gdj6298]

Blimey! 50 years of being a Dan fan and this is my FIRST glimpse of the almost-mythical backing singers "Porky and Bucky" (Gloria Granola and Jenny Soule).

[@richardmorgan3974]

Same thing, here! WOW! 46 years of fandom, finally a complete crew video..

[@pinguinobc]

I dated Gloria's cousin, Mary Muesli.

[@Colley1973]

Yeah, I was always working late on Friday night so always missed the show and never knew of this performance with the girls till recently.

[@MatchesMalone1183]

@@pinguinobc Everyone sowed their oats with Mary.

[@joadbreslin5819]

I went to school with Mary, but barley knew her.

[@johntolvstad7210]

I remember we never go back to the way it was I'm old sorry

[@Mickcotton]

Absolutely Fantastic ❤🤘🤘

[@Colley1973]

God bless the producers who did the close-ups of the two backup singers. Thank you!