Why He left Steely Dan & The Doobie Brothers - Jeff "Skunk" Baxter Interview

[@quiteright623]

Incredible guitarist .. His Work on " My Old School " still blows me away !!

[@ericwittman3]

Extremely underrated musician. A real professional

[@andrewmair7371]

By whom exactly❓🤷🏻😊 Highly rated from studio to stage -☝️🥳

[@TheBigdutchster]

Skunk's solo on My Old School is one of the greatest in rock music.

[@nmd14723]

Skunk playing steel on South City Midnight lady was my youth and is still embedded in me today. .. 50 years later

[@garystone9973]

I saw Jeff play with the Doobie Brothers in 1975 in LubbockTX. He sat on the drum riser and wore headphones while playing. That is forever etched in my mind.

[@gkr2424]

Impressed by Skunk very well spoken, could listen to him for awhile.

[@stormbringercoming8105]

“Skunk” is always a great interview. So smart in so many ways. Too intelligent for the music business.

[@newavatar2947]

Well these days at least... 70s music biz was bad too though. 1950s payola ruined everything

[@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568]

and so he went into the war business..

[@stephenadamsmusicalinterpr4203]

@@daktarioskarvannederhosen2568 Correction, the missile defense business.

[@MrDaveaccord]

Jeff actually lived in my hometown of Milford Massachusetts when he was playing locally in Boston with Ultimate Spinach.

[@kylelavelle8082]

Fantastic Interview Brother! The Beatles had the same outlook as Fagen and Becker, and you gotta love Skunks resolve to keep Touring and working with other Musicians. Jeff is absolutely Brilliant!! Have a wonderful week ahead my Friend. 🎶🤟😎🎸🎶

[@Centralcoastqueenofswing1]

He's my favorite musician: cerebral, creative and energetic. A real renaissance man.

[@scurvybro8850]

Maybe Fagen and Becker's decision to abandon touring played a part in Baxter's departure from Steely Dan. But the group's longtime producer, Gary Katz, has provided another reason. In an interview, he said that after the band released the "Countdown to Ecstasy" album, Baxter and then-drummer Jim Hodder told Fagen they had written some songs that they would like to have on the group's next record. Fagen's reply was, "This is not a democracy." And that was the end of Baxter's career with the Dan.

[@johnwoods2736]

That's an interesting story that I haven't heard before. I think the only time an original Steely Dan song had a credit other than Becker and Fagan was The Fez which had a co-credit for keyboardist Paul Griffin. I would like to hear the songs written by Baxter and Hodder and wonder if any demos were recorded. Especially knowing that Hodder was a good singer and is sadly now deceased.

[@cwize]

I’ll go find the full interview- love hearing from Skunk!

[@josephzirngibl633]

Awesome interview. Very Cool to be able to talk to a Legend & a knowledgeable person as "the Skunk.🤘✌️🎼4:33 p.m. 6-2-22

[@jppagetoo]

I saw Jeff play at Sweetwaters Gearfest in 2019. I was very happy for that opportunity.

[@shinyoneincarnate5565]

Ultimate Spinach (1967-1969) from Boston, had Jeffrey Allen "Skunk" Baxter join them on guitar in 1969.

[@johnwoods2736]

This is the second interview by Skunk Baxter that I've seen on this channel. I have one request - if there's another interview, please ask Skunk Baxter about "The Best" a supergroup who in 1990 toured Japan. The lineup was incredible - John Entwistle, Keith Emerson, Baxter, Simon Phillips, Joe Walsh with a relatively lesser known lead singer and 3 backup singers. They did some Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan songs. The first two musicians I named are sadly not around to tell the story. I would like to hear Skunk's take on what it was like working in this lineup!

[@cherrypickerguitars]

I know Jeff is primarily a Strat player now, but he’s a big reason why I play a Tele, to this day! (I’m 66) Peace

[@Jpeterson7]

Jeff's onstage presence was hard to contain. Not only did he have the expert chops, but he had energy to burn. It clashed a bit, at times, with the slick songwriters like Fagen, Becker, and later McDonald. They preferred a more studio-type reproduction live because that's the type of music they wrote. Jeff could do both, but he was being asked to dial it back onstage and this led to conflict. No good guy or bad guy, just a difference in approach. The Doobies were lucky they got Jeff though because when Tom Johnston became ill and missed his first show in Chicago, which was my first concert, Jeff and Pat were able to carry the load on guitars, and boy did they. The band came out like they had something to prove and lit the place on fire. Before they hit the stage, they offered refunds for anybody who wanted to leave, but thankfully the crowd had none of that, so the band came out swinging hard! With the dual drums, percussion, and Tiran's driving bass driving the rhythm section, they had the crowd in the palm of their hands. That being said, so glad Tom got better and came back to lead the band again after the McDonald years.

[@MarkSmith-js2pu]

Thanks for sharing.

[@scurvybro8850]

Baxter's departure from Steely Dan had nothing to do with his "clashing" chops or energy. He wanted songs he'd written to be included on their albums, and Fagen and Becker declined.

[@the_real_mister_ed]

@@scurvybro8850I don’t know and you may be right. However, if you are right, it shows Baxter is an honorable man who doesn’t hang others out to dry or throw them under the bus

[@MRVISTA-wz7vj]

Michael Mcdonald is on record that he was not getting along at all w Jeff during the recording of the Minute By Minute album. From my understanding, once the recording was over Michael gave the band an ultimatum; Jeff or me. Obviously it wasn't a difficult decision since Michael was writing and singing the new hits. By this time he was practically the de facto leader of the Doobie's.

[@petefogel2133]

Kind of ironic since skunk got Michael into the doobie brothers. Jeff seems to have a personality trait that some people don't seem to care for.

[@cwize]

And Micheal didn’t get any writing credit for helping Van Halen complete “Dance the Night Away” (called in by producer Ted Templeman - whose biography all of us should read. It’s great.)

[@runningshadow57]

@@cwize it was the song " I'll Wait " ...not Dance the Night Away .....oh and IMO....Michael McDonald ruined the Doobie Bros....never cared for his crap pop music! But hey everyone is entitled 2 love whatever music they want....my choices might be polar opposites 2 someone else's ....

[@tw364]

@@runningshadow57 Michael McDonald’s voice was annoying and his faux R&B was generic smooth jazz friendly crap. Didn’t know that Macdonald wanted Skunk out of the group since gave Michael has big break. But it sucked, Doobies had been a boogie style band with just enough of that Bay Area vibe, Minute by Minute has to be the most tedious song of all time.

[@paulj4155]

Totally agree, McDonald totally ruined the Doobies with his annoying voice & crap songs

[@lilajagears8317]

Jeff was a guest on the Greg Gutfeld show recently, he is very well spoken and proudly patriotic. His love for our republic was nice to hear!

[@xpicklepie]

If I'm not mistaken, skunk played with hendrix in "Jimmy James & the blue flames". And the best 70's fu-man-chu by far. He's had one hell of a ride.

[@doniotte681]

I love his song Apache and I really want to learn how to play it myself, I have a Stratocaster and a Telecaster and I love Rock music

[@ChrisKeyes-w7y]

Great interview John

[@DennisDolan-fl3mw]

he was also a part of Spirit

[@OttoByOgraffey]

You're pushing 100,000 subscribers! Good for you!

[@timfurnier7061]

In an old VH1 Behind the Music episode, Jeff said he left the Doobies because of friction between Michael McDonald and himself. He said at one point an ultimatum was issued that either MM was leaving, or he was leaving.

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

I remember that too.. I loved the "fusion" that skunk brought in but Mike was strict r & b and Mike didn't like skunk screwing up his vibe...

[@johantrenier1685]

Really enjoyed his show this summer. Dean Torrence from Jan and Dean was at the show, had a chance to shake his hand. California Rock history.

[@marksstudio]

Saw the Doobie Brothers at Cobo Hall Detroit in '76 I think, and at the end of the show the band passed out a single rose to girls. My lovely girlfriend was on my shoulders and Skunk handed her an entire bouquet, and it was funny as hell to see the other girls look at their boyfriends like how come she got a bouquet and I didn't? That was a night to remember. Thanks Skunk. Love your playing, but what you did for me that night was epic.

[@Hour25-f6l]

Great in concert when I was at troubdour last year.

[@edwardvansloten240]

Jeff was a friend of my, I uses to set up his equipment, he is a very nice guy, I miss not hanging out with him. MMS

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

It’s the guy from Ultimate Spinach 👍

[@stratstart]

thank you!

[@duncanparsons]

Skunk's production on Bliss Band's Dinner With Raoul LP is fantastic

[@jacer259]

Jeff is a Legend.

[@99thDimension]

Up to and including What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits were the best years after that it was all schmaltzy ballads.

[@billiondollarbaby3276]

Stampede is a great album...you might want to give it another listen.

[@jamescrouch3564]

Great stuff as usual JB 🙏

[@TooSkinnyKenny]

I'd be interested to know if Baxter was surprised when he was asked to record with Donna Summer and Cerrone

[@TheCountofToulouse]

As great as Aja is, being such a polished studio creation, the original Steely lineup and those OLD songs really were the backbone of that band. No one can listen to 'Reelin in the Years' and not hear that incredible intro or that mesmerizing solo on 'Riki don't lose that number' and not love it or admire Baxter's keen sense of melody. Baxter was as much a part of that Steely sound as anyone and some part of me thinks the idea to not tour was a way to get him out. I know it's not cool to infer that amount of iniquity on Becker and Fagan but it at least seems plausible. Baxter was becoming too much of an influence in their sound and I think they wanted to break away.

[@donyoung7874]

Reelin' In The Years and Rikki Don't Lose That Number are 2 of my favorite guitar parts. Steely Dan had the best players.

[@ikkenhisatsu7170]

Baxter is such a smart guy and brilliant guitarist. It's almost surprising he made it big - he doesn't fit the mold.

[@bobrennegarbe5547]

Great guy. Love

[@marksacher3866]

I thought I had read that Skunk had left the music business to pursue a career in military defense systems. Am I crazy?

[@josephzirngibl633]

I heard he's some sorta Genius in that field too. If he's still in the music business & into military defense, seems like that would take up most of his time. If that's the case, I hope he doesn't burn himself out.

[@farmerbill6855]

Nope, not crazy at all. He is indeed a rocket scientist who works for the USDOD.

[@hale1922]

@@farmerbill6855 A man of many faces. He became interested, for whatever reason, in Intercontinental Ballistic Missile systems. Self-educated himself to the point that he once gave testimony before Congress.

[@astrosjer822]

Did Skunk comment if he was asked to participate in the Doobies big 50th anniversary tour?

[@Theanswerisblowinginthewind]

Don't know about that but MM was there.

[@andyinoregon]

The thing I'll never understand is why musicians who contribute so much to a song's popularity, as Jeff did on so many Steely Dan songs, don't get a co-songwriting credit and share in the royalties. His guitar playing on "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" is at least half the reason why that song climbed to #4 on the pop charts in 1974.

[@davedillon1372]

The real answer to this question about the WHY is .ichael called Patrick Simmons & started to push his new weight around as strength newly found as a contributing factor that determines the future of the band w/an ultimatum 'I cannot, I will not work w/Jeff Baxter anymore; make a decision!' What an ungrateful unemployed 3rd 'righteous brother' he turned out to be - not a thankful, appreciative friend who'd been brought into Steely Dan well after the original lineups w/Royce Jones & Chris/Jim Hodditt if I'm not mistaken re that early Drummer & singer who ''Skunk" had the HIGHEST praise for! Wouldn't it be nice to see 1 Tour w/the living Dan minus Walter (of course) if Denny's still around, upright, bright & as good as can be in a dig it all world?

[@reconnsupernaturalsyndicat1493]

No one ever mentions he was a member of Ultimate Spinach in 1968-69

[@sevenbillionthbeatle7884]

And Black Oak Arkansas

[@petefogel2133]

The real story: At the end of Countdown, Donald and Walter were getting a bit antsy and wanting to stretch. And, I do remember one day at the Village, (Recording Studio) and I remember like it was yesterday. Jeffrey (Baxter) came in and said to Donald, "So, Jimmy (Hodder) and I have been writing some songs and thought that maybe we can get some songs on the record". Donald said "This is not a democracy". And at the end of that, it worked out so Jeffrey became the guitar player for the Dobbie Brothers and Jimmy played on a track or two on Pretzel Logic. But then that gave Donald and Walter the opportunity to hire musicians that we all really loved, and tailored them to the tracks we were doing".....Gary Katz.

[@andyinoregon]

While it's true drummer Jim Hodder was replaced on their third album ("Pretzel Logic," released in Feb. 1974) by Jim Gordon, Jeff Baxter and Denny Dias were still the featured guitarists on that album and throughout their '74 tour of the U.S. and England that went from March through July. Jeff's playing on "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" helped make it the highest-charting single (#4) of Steely Dan's career.

[@groundhog713]

@@andyinoregon Jim Hodder did song background vocals on Pretzel Logic, though.

[@tw364]

@@groundhog713 Fagen didn’t want a better vocalist in the band than him. That’s why David Palmer was let go, and Jimmy Hodder was tremendous drummer and singer. Couldn’t stand Steely Dan once they deserted an actual band concept and simply hired musicians to take their orders. They lost all their edge and become a Yuppie band playing essentially smooth jazz with some Clever lyrics and hooks. Fagen even tried to screw Palmer out of royalties, and finally was taken to court and forced to pay him the back royalties he owed. Fagen pre-figured todays vapid music industry with 13 different drummers on one album. All bad for music.

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

Never liked the doob's as much after skunk. I love the jazz he brought to that band.

[@lockedin60]

I had always been under the impression that there was a falling out between Michael and Jeff and that Michael may have encouraged Jeff to "move along". To me I think Jeff is a restless soul and staying in one place too long is not good for his creative side. Excellent guitarist and obvious a brilliant person (Security and Defense Credential's). Ironically a few years later the whole ball of wax fell apart. I think last night I saw an episode of Johnny Carson and The Doobie Brothers were playing a few songs from their "One Step Closer" Album. Johnny was interviewing Patrick Simmons and he said that he thought then(1981) that the lineup had stabilized and he was hoping that the band would be together for a few more years. However Patrick decided to quit in 1982 and Michael realized that The Doobie Brothers couldn't continue without Patrick. It just did not feel right. So they did their "Final Tour" in 1982 and called it a day. Of course when Keith Knudson recruited 11 members for a series of concerts to help raise money for Children and Veteran Charities the old chemistry was still there and by 1989 had released a new album and have been back together in one form or another ever since. I do think now if Patrick or Tom has to quit because of medical problems then "That Train will finally end"!

[@farmerbill6855]

This cat is way smart. He's also a rocket scientist who works for the USDOD.

[@davedillon1372]

I was lucky to get to 2/3 of the first part of the 1st Tour. Sometimes, the Artist/Band practice THE SAME SHOW & those're less than fun to see stamped out & know that each night, day after day, it's the same thing. That's not a good thing for a band of pros' fans & it's work for the artists night after night doing the same thing. It's a shame frankly. Like Frampton too- tour after tour‽ That's not a good thing to have to do. It's easier, but it will be boring after a while -like a week in a row. That would be great if you don't care or don't want to be able to stretch out as a double encore impossibility. It's time to retire by then & it'd be sad if one HAD to keep going through a same setlist for rent $. No joy in that at all. Btw- he is a total genius, you guys know that, yes? Canned commercial 🎼 aside, Jeff is a serious person to be proud of as his Son knows. Playing cops 'n robbers in SE Asia crossing the border of as far west in ALL of Thailand (Mae Hong Son) w/Myanmar on the other side of the river you just came back across, there aren't many reasons to be there. Drugs, refugee tribes, both. He shouldn't be getting his hands dirty like that. When An Sung Kyu Yee- the same poor, political prisoner in her own home was sharing political power w/the Heroin Military (as if we couldn't stop it) started talking about the Rohingyiis to the press- either Hil'ry, press-State Dept chick had to shut up the Co-Leader in the New Myanmar who'd started to say less than Nobel Laureate winning words:'You no understand! THEY DIRTY PEOPLE . They shouldn't live! They're filthy & soulless' on & on..

[@weilandiv8310]

Skunk has a nice living room. I wonder if he makes pizza rolls for his guests...

[@sevenbillionthbeatle7884]

What about Black Oak Arkansas ? Pre - STEELY & BROTHERS thought it was a great album.

[@bruinsfan8278]

Why do they call him Skunk? Is that a Nik name?

[@BowlerJ1]

I once heard Jeff works for NASA. How does a rock musician end up there? I'm sure there is a story about this. Thanks.

[@Theanswerisblowinginthewind]

His day time job is working for the US DOD not NASA.

[@mkkl1170]

I’m wondering, was Jeff let go because of creative differences or he was working part time with military contractors. He was not liked in many entertainment circles because of that.

[@timothyslaughter476]

Any great musician has a great ear....what does that mean?.....if you have to ask.....you don't have a great ear....

[@AshaRenWooly]

Skunks was pulling some real lame jazzbo shit with the doobies so they couldn't stand him, he played his way right out of that situation

[@charleswindsor1184]

Michael Mcdonald was the worst thing that ever happened to the Doobies. Terrible voice, maybe the worst in Rock. Yes even worse than Tyler

[@dickspits8819]

Micheal McDonald has one of the most iconic voices in American music

[@robmorrison1043]

Charles, You may have the worst ear for music and talent that this world has ever seen. You wouldn't know a Picasso from a color by number!

[@gkr2424]

I don’t know about terrible voice? But yes, end of Doobies!

[@lilajagears8317]

@@dickspits8819 The doobies became boring after he joined the band.

[@mikeziegler7008]

You're 1/2 right. He was the worst thing to ever happen to the Doobies. But he is an amazing, top tier, vocalist

[@weilandiv8310]

Skunk has a nice living room. I wonder if he makes pizza rolls for his guests...

[@Centralcoastqueenofswing1]

😂lol! I painted his portrait last year. He said he was going to put it in his living room. I don't see it.😢