Michael McDonald, who is a singer, songwriter, and keyboardist for The Doobie Brothers, has a deep understanding of Steely Dan’s music. For several years in the 1970s, he lent his background vocals to Steely Dan during their performances. This occurred when both The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan were gaining prominence as pioneers of soft rock.
As a dedicated music enthusiast, I’ve noticed that when it comes to their unique musical styles, the Doobie Brothers leaned towards a soulful R&B vibe, while Steely Dan, with their dynamic duo of Donald Fagan and Walter Becker, brought a strong jazz flavor into the mix. Despite these differences, there was still a striking resemblance in their sounds.
In the years since these bands began creating music, they’ve come to be known collectively under the expanding label of Yacht Rock. This nickname was initially coined playfully by JD Ryznar to categorize ’70s and ’80s groups that had a highly-polished sound and were pleasing to listen to. Notable bands in this category include the Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, the Eagles, and Toto.
Michael McDonald says what really happened with Steely Dan’s Donald Fagan and a Yacht Rock film
More casually, McDonald shared with Classic Rock magazine that he doesn’t have a problem with being classified as Yacht Rock since it puts him among artists he admires, such as Steely Dan.
Instead of embracing the idea, Fagan appeared to dislike it as he bluntly instructed Garret Price, the director of the film “Music Box: Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary”, to “take a hike” when asked about incorporating Steely Dan’s music into the project. McDonald clarified that Fagan was merely joking and granted Price permission to use Steely Dan’s music for the project.
McDonald shared with Classic Rock, “It’s essential to grasp Donald’s humor. When (Price) phoned, Donald said, ‘You can have the license, but do something for me. Pretend we haven’t spoken, and let’s chat again later.’ And that’s what transpired. He called back, and Donald told him, ‘Go take a hike,’ before hanging up. That’s as far as I know. It was all part of a plan.
It appears Fagan might have a peculiar sense of humor, yet McDonald’s account seems illogical. Perhaps Fagan was attempting humor, but he appears strange in McDonald’s portrayal.
Steely Dan was enshrined into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and has sold more than 40 million records globally. They continue to be a significant inspiration for avant-garde music groups, and their last album, “Everything Must Go,” dropped in 2003.
The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan have both achieved similar success in album sales, with the former group continuing their creative journey by producing fresh tunes. Their latest album, titled “Walk This Road“, hit shelves on June 6, 2025.
Read More
- Fortress Saga tier list – Ranking every hero
- Cookie Run Kingdom Town Square Vault password
- Glenn Greenwald Sex Tape Leak: Journalist Cites “Maliciously Political” Motives
- Mini Heroes Magic Throne tier list
- Grimguard Tactics tier list – Ranking the main classes
- How to Prepare and Dominate the Awakened Hollyberry Cookie Update
- Overwatch Stadium Tier List: All Heroes Ranked
- Hero Tale best builds – One for melee, one for ranged characters
- Castle Duels tier list – Best Legendary and Epic cards
- Cookie Run Kingdom: Shadow Milk Cookie Toppings and Beascuits guide
2025-06-08 18:00