Steely Dan posters and photography at Wolfgang's Vault

Steely Dan

In the novel Naked Lunch by William Burroughs there was a steam-powered dildo named Steely Dan. Founders Walter Becker and Donald Fagen chose this name for the band that they founded in the early 70's.

This rock band had some heavy jazz influence, as well as some funk and R&B influence. Th diversity of this band can be seen in the difference between the songs Reelin in the Years, Do It Again, Kid Gallahad, and Dirty Work.

Along with Fagen and Becker, the band also utilized the skills of Jeff (Skunk) Baxter and Michael McDonald, who later joined the Doobie Brothers. Michael McDonald's musical style significantly changed the direction of the Doobies.

Albums from the 1970s included:

• Can't Buy a Thrill (1972)
• Countdown to Ecstacy (1973)
• Pretzel Logic (1974)
• Katy Lied (1975)
• The Royal Scam (1976)
• Aja (1977)
• Gaucho (1978-1980)