By Jeremy D. Bonfiglio Michigan City News-Dispatch NEW BUFFALO, Mich. — Guitarist Walter Becker and singer/keyboardist Donald Fagen are the heart, soul, rock and jazz behind Steely Dan. Augmented by session and supporting musicians, including guitarists Denny Dias and Jeff Baxter, Steely Dan sold more than 40 million records worldwide behind hits such as “Reelin’ […]
Tag Archives | Sidemen
Herington Looks Back at 15 Years
Originally published on June 27, 2014 By Robert Ham Special to The Oregonian PORTLAND, Oregon — Until 1999, Jon Herington had been living the life of most well regarded but little known guitar players. The New Jersey native was grabbing gigs in studios and in clubs where he could get them, playing in the backing […]
Jon Herington – Steely Dan’s Lead Guitarist
By Leslie Michele Derrough Glide Magazine If Jon Herington is anything, idle is not it. It may have taken him a little while to get to where he is today, playing guitar in Steely Dan since 2000 and fronting his own band, but he has never really stopped and piddled his time away. In fact, the […]
Glamour Profession: The Bassists of Donald Fagen’s Sunken Condos
By Chris Jisi Bass Player Magazine It remains one of the most exclusive and longest-running clubs in the sideman realm: cutting bass tracks for Walter Becker and Donald Fagen—either in their collective form, Steely Dan, or on their equally sophisticated solo CDs. What bassist wouldn’t want to join the likes of Chuck Rainey, Anthony Jackson, […]
Jon Herington of Steely Dan Talks About His Musical Journey
By Craig Hunter Ross Guitar International Jon Herington is simply one of the most respected guitar players in the music business. His resume is second to none, having provided his skillful and smooth soloing style to some of the biggest names in music. For the past 13 years, he has served as the touring and recording guitarist […]
Omartian: Working with Steely Dan Could Hardly be Considered ‘Fun’
From Yuzu-Melodies.fr Michael Omartian has contributed his talents to albums and CDs that have sold over 350,000,000 copies worldwide as a producer, composer, arranger, artist or musician. This impressive number shows the importance of this musician in the history of American pop music. He has been kind enough to answer to my questions about his […]
Quintessential Studio Act Becomes a Well-Honed Touring Machine
By Joan K. Smith Huffington Post This weekend, Steely Dan, that indefinable and technically sophisticated bundle of rock, jazz, and whatever else strikes the fancy of principals Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, kicked off the “Shuffle Diplomacy” tour, their seventh U.S. tour since 2000, with a group of band veterans who are as well known […]
Becker & Herington: Playing Guitar for Steely Dan
Since their debut album was released in 1972, nothing about Steely Dan has been conventional, from their cryptic lyrics and complex arrangements to their refusal to tour for years. Co-founder Walter Becker and current guitarist Jon Herington talk to us about the role of the guitar player within the band’s unique blend of rock and […]
McDonald to Perform with his Old Band Steely Dan
By Hector Saldana San Antonio Express-News Steely Dan and Michael McDonald have a history. It began long before pairing up for their “Steelyard ‘Sugartooth’ McDan” tour. The Doobie Brothers star played in one of the earliest touring incarnations of the revered and reclusive band. Steely Dan and McDonald play Verizon Wireless Amphitheater on Saturday. McDonald […]
Jazzin’ the Vibration
Walter Becker and Donald Fagen aka Steely Dan occupy a unique place in “rock” music. While much of their work sounds as though it’s been hauled straight out of the jazz canon, in 32 years they’ve only ever recorded one non-original tune… and that was Duke Ellington’s “East St. Louis Toodle-Oo.” Earlier this year (2000) […]
