(Credits: Far Out / Rhino Entertainment)
Sun 27 October 2024 19:30, UK
Countless bands throughout music history have been subject to lineup changes, by choice or against their wishes. Members depart to focus on other projects, or they tire of touring, or they simply aren’t the right fit any more. This can lead to some awkward conversations. Replacing or even firing a band member is tricky to navigate, as they might feel territorial over their position and their contributions to the band. But Steely Dan singer Donald Fagen never felt this way.
In fact, Fagen longed to be replaced. Although he had penned and performed some of the band’s most well-known hits, such as ‘Reelin’ in the Years’ and ‘Do It Again’, and contributed his piano skills to a slew of other songs, he believed that someone else could do a better job than him behind the microphone. He wasn’t willing to give up his role to just anyone, but he was more than willing to give it to Michael McDonald.
Fagen worked closely with McDonald in the early 1970s, when the talented singer joined Steely Dan for a brief stint. After impressing Fagen in an audition with his vocal range, McDonald joined the band on tour in 1973 and 1974, playing piano and taking on lead vocals. According to Fagen in a conversation with the New York Times, he had “knocked everyone out” when he came to a Steely Dan rehearsal.
Although his time out on the road with Steely Dan was brief, McDonald began to contribute to their studio recordings, too, working with them until the decade was done. Following his final studio sessions with Steely Dan, McDonald began to focus more closely on his solo career, as well as working with the Doobie Brothers, but Fagen never forgot McDonald’s contributions to the band.
In fact, Fagen even considered giving up his place as lead vocalist in favour of McDonald, he was so taken by the singer’s talents behind the mic. “There was a serious discussion about whether he should replace me as the lead singer,” Fagen remembered, “which would have been my personal preference. But, for some dumb reason, I was voted down.”
Fagen was outvoted in his wishes for McDonald to replace him and the conversation died down, but he later admitted that he “regretted” not pushing it further. “I mean, here’s this monster singer and musician,” he continued, “and he’s also really funny and a sweetheart of a guy. What’s not to like?”
His account of the situation and his admiration for the singer is almost overly humble, willing to give up his own place in the band due to his belief that McDonald’s voice might serve the music better. We will never know how the band’s sound and success might have changed course if Fagen had got his way, if McDonald had chosen to devote his time to Steely Dan rather than his solo endeavours.
Fortunately, although he may have believed that McDonald could have done a better job, Fagen succeeded at leading Steely Dan into success, garnering a cult following that still exists to this day. McDonald may have contributed to their sound throughout the 1970s, but Fagen was far more essential to their success, writing and performing some of their most well-loved tracks. Despite his unwavering belief in McDonald, Fagen did a fine job without him.
Related Topics
Subscribe To The Far Out Newsletter