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First Dan show without WB

I caught the Summer of Living Dangerously tour this past weekend at Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, OH (Cleveland's summer concert venue).

Two things really stood out to me.

1. They left an empty mic stand where Walter used to stand.

2. Hey Nineteen was now just another song in the set.

I really enjoyed the show, but it was bittersweet without Walter.

13 comments

13 Comments

Denise

Jul 02, 2019

I understand what you are all saying...the music and wonderful performances will continue. But for me, SD without Walter - my heart just isn't into it. There was something special about seeing the creator: the author of those incredible lyrics and superfine sound. It's diminished without his presence.

Tony Favia

Jun 13, 2019

Donald went on record just after Walter passed away, stating that if he had his way, when he took the band out on tour he would prefer it to be called something like "Donald Fagen and the Steely Dan band". He agreed with everything you guys are saying. It was the promoters who basically told him it's going to be called Steely Dan or we're not interested. So his hands were tied if he wanted to tour with this band and make some money. And, knowing what I do about his relationship with Walter, I believe him. I will still go to see them when the opportunity presents itself, just because I love the music, they still sound great, and you never know when it will be the last time. I wish Walter was still there, but this is what we're left with, for better or for worse.

TBD

Jun 05, 2019

Since we're being honest and all, I don't have any desire to see SD w/out WB. Just my opinion but since there were only 2 people making SD music either in studio or live, maybe call it something else.

Matthew Kerns

Jun 12, 2019

Replying to

I feel the same way about seeing Steely Dan perform now as I do about the current iteration of the band doing "The Nightfly" on album nights...it's good, yes, but it's not Steely Dan. I have nothing but respect for Donald Fagen's musicianship and the incredibly talented supporting cast of musicians, up to and inclduing Connor Kennedy, who is a fine guitar player. I don't even begrudge Donald wanted to make Steely Dan money and not Donald Fagen money. I certainly don't fault the concert-goers who just want to hear some good music and forget about the rest of the bullshit for a while. I would pay good money to go see a Donald Fagen show (I did on both of his solo tours) just as I would have if Walter had chosen to tour as a solo act. But i choose to keep my memories of the multiple times I saw Steely Dan intact. I will never have seen Steely Dan without Walter Becker, and that is the way I want it. If Donald had toured in 93 without Walter and called it Steely Dan, I would have been unconvinced. I remain so today. If Walter had toured without Donald and called it Steely Dan, I would have likewise thought it untrue. It took two men to make what was Steely Dan. It didn't take anything more than those two men, but it couldn't be accomplished with anything less.

TBD

Jun 12, 2019

Replying to

Agree completely, can't fault listeners for wanting to hear the SD music, or any musician playing it. I'm a little twisted about the "making SD money" part but there are lots of strings attached to life.

Just won't be for me.

aacers

Jun 13, 2019

Replying to

That's my feeling as well, Matt. I don't begrudge anyone wanting to see the Steely Dan Band as it is currently, but it's not my idea of Steely Dan. The sum was the whole of both parts. Anything else to me is another band. It's not bad, it's not good, or better. It's just... something else entirely. And I speak as someone who was conflicted about seeing them live in the first place; afraid that there was no way that whatever they could do onstage would stack up to the records. But, that's life, I guess. Things change. I also don't knock DF for wanting to tour; it's his prerogative , I suppose.

halC

May 31, 20

WALTER BECKER MEDIA

1 9 5 0 - 2 0 1 7

e s t. 2 0 1 8

First Dan show without WB