These Steely Dan clips are a godsend as the band made very few live televised appearances - this clip is 50 years old and it's great to see Fagen, Becker, Skunk, et al tearing it up.... cheers Midnight Special.
Steely Dan is one of those bands you can not listen to for years, hear one of their songs, and you go right back to listening and enjoying like it was the first time.
Just saw this and I was like thinking the same thing! Now I just need to find my Steely Dan cd's, dust them off and listen to some great music again!!!
This is by far one of the finest and most original rock bands in music history. Steely Dan was basically two unbelievable geniuses. Donald Fagan and Walter becker.the duo was incredible. From king of the World to the caves of altamira, one great song after another, wonderful.
Seriously Paula, Mr. Baxter was walking on friggin WATER, you feel me? Donald Fagan was also just so amazing, straight from the heart, and right through the soul, and the most excellent backup singers were just perfectly concise and spot on, and obviously very thrilled to be part of whole consortium, and who WOULDN’T be? BTW: If I misread your handle and it’s Paul (or “Paul A.”), don’t bother with any gender reassignment, I love ALL of you Steely Dan fans faithfully and fully, regardless of your personal plumbing! - Namaste! Glenn Jones PS: I’d never seen this clip before, and I’m totally down with admitting I wept like a hungry infant! Because other than laughing at the beauty and absurdity of life, that’s what I DO, and I also highly recommend others to do likewise, but I will allow that it’s “their call” (ain’t I just the picture of generosity and tolerance?)… - XOXOXO!
Musical artists have been back playing for decades. The Beatles did it. Buddy Holly did it. Whether an artist does this or not depends greatly on the venue, among other things. The Beatles and Buddy Holly are "real music." Them using backing tracks doesn't negate that. And whether your boomer mind can wrap itself around the concept, "real music" exists today as well. Just because you stopped looking for it doesn't mean it isn't there. A tree still makes a noise when it falls in the woods regardless, it turns out.
Steely Dan's first 4 albums stand up to virtually any other bands first 4 albums. Most bands take some time to find the their groove. Steely Dan had it right from the start. I would say Countdown to Ecstasy is one of the greatest second albums of all time. Brilliant stuff.
This video has just reached 1 million views. It just goes to show not only the importance of Steely Dan as a group, but also of The Midnight Special as an archive of unique and historical performances.
Oh, to have been there! This and 'Lost Wages' are just so ferocious. I love the shot of the drummer just chewing gum and playing like it's no big thing....
Fagen is a pure savant of a songwriter. He just knows how to tell a story, and to pace it perfectly, while he's naturally coming up with great melodies. He's got IT.
@foto21 - his songwriting is one of the greatest ever as far as I am concerned. I remember listening to this song as a kid and loving the musicianship and singing along. Not until later in life as an adult did I realize what he meant by the phrase "35 sweet goodbyes". The poor kids nowadays have to deal with the "subtle" lyrics of songs like WAP. Other brilliant examples of Dan Fagan's include "Charlie Freak" and "Home at Last." There has never been another like him.
It always amazes me how Steely Dan was so far ahead of their time with the music they created. Walter Becker & Donald Fagen were true geniuses who mastered their craft, while also making things look effortless. I often wondered why Steely Dan didn’t have more bands trying to copy them. But then I realized that the uniqueness of Steely Dan’s music was in its’ complexity and sophistication. Steely Dan. A band unlike any other. Masters of music.
Blimey! 50 years of being a Dan fan and this is my FIRST glimpse of the almost-mythical backing singers "Porky and Bucky" (Gloria Granola and Jenny Soule).
I was 21 in '73. All the chicks were absolutely the bomb back then.....no ugly ass Sailor tattoo's on them, no piercing Bullshi55, no purple and green hair.....just the hottest, long haired, thin, knock-out good looks............natural and gorgeous. Friday and Saturday's we all went to the bars. No DJ's, no juke boxes, just live bands everywhere playing current cover songs and boy did we dance, chicks would come in, you bought them and drink and ever single girl wanted to dance and we danced until 2 AM. Sunday we burnt our clothes as they were ruined from all the sweat! No gangs, no thugs, no guns in the bars, very few with cover-charges....just smiling having hella fun times. God I think I danced with a 1,000 potential wifes......the babes were oh my.......everywhere. We had so much fun!
Skunk built that guitar for the 'My Old School' recording sesh He said later he knew exactly how it would sound before he played it. Looks like a Rickey pickup at the neck.
Donald Fagen on piano/vocals Walter Becker/bass Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and Denny Dias/guitar Jim Hodder/drums Royce Jones/alt percussion and backup vocals Gloria “Porky” Granola and Jenny “Bucky” Soule/backup singers
Probably the best live performance in the history of live performances.... Just flawless, no autotune, just perfect arrangements , musicianship. And kudos to the mixer awesome mix.
Thank you, "The Midnight Special," for leaving no doubt as to Steely Dan's live performance abilities in 1973. When my wife and I saw them play "My Old School" on tour in April 1974, they let Skunk Baxter sing the lead vocal in addition to playing these incredible lead guitar solos. Hard to understand how this song only went to #63 on the singles charts, because over the years it has become every Steely Dan tribute band's set closer.
I think it didn't rank higher because it was in competition with all their other material. Also, fans like to sing along, and this one's not so easy to sing along. That's a dumb fact but it was certainly true in the 70s. This was an FM deep cut that fans loved, but it was not made for AM, which still dominated.
@@beenaplumber8379 Agreed. In 1973 Steely Dan was mostly a cult favorite among college students. That's why so many of their 1974 tour dates were on college campuses.
@@vickihughes5751The question wasn't "Was it less popular?" The question was "Why was it not more popular?" My answer might be wrong, sure, but one thing to keep in mind is that different markets can have very different airplay patterns. You might have been lucky enough to live in a market where the song did much better on AM than it did where other people live.
I went to Bard College, the school referenced in the song's title, in the mid-1980s. And, somewhat ironically, my daughter is now a junior at William and Mary. And we both love Steely Dan.
It was sometimes referenced as another William and Mary but Fagen was pissed about the marijuana bust so it was no longer a William and Mary to him. Points to anyone who knows who the Asistant DA was that is referenced in the song.
I'm 62, and remember it clearly. It was Friday night right after school started but before Labor Day. My neighbor/sweetheart 11 year old stayed at our house while her parents were gone. Blazing hot. We were laying on a sheet barely dressed watching this when my mom came it to see what the racket was about. Still, in 1973 we slept on the floor that night with no ridiculous drama.
Fantastic video! One of my favorite songs, featuring the one and only Jeff "Skunk" Baxter shredding hard on lead guitar, back in the days when rock music ruled the world! These guys all earned their pay on this one. My sincere thanks to the folks at The Midnight Special archives!
This is a treasure! What a performance. Skunk Baxter manages to be so raw on those leads, but at the same time perfect for the vibe. Such a great guitarist. And he definitely had "the look." Loved his stuff with the Doobies.
The Midnight Special was my connection to the outside world living in a small midwestern town. I'd heard Steely Danon FM radio but seeing them on Mom and Dad's Motorola was a major treat!
I was a frustrated 13yr old wanting more from music I listened to when along came Steely Dan and my musical taste became more complicated, sophisticated and joyous. Thank you Steely Dan. You, Pink Floyd, the Doobies, Roxy Music, Bowie and Led Zeppelin renewed my love of music ... and still do, 50yrs later.
If Midnight Special isn't in the Library of Congress then it should be!! Another great performance from a groundbreaking show. Thank you Burt Sugarman.
Everyone is a product of their environment. Your generation is as much to blame for this one as the generations before you are to blame for yours, Greg. Personal responsibility wasn't invented by your generation, or summarily removed by the generation you bore.
I couldn't wait to graduate. I was thinking, "I'm never going back to "'My Old School"" Now that I am on the other end of the spectrum... I wish I could go back to"My Old School" I'm guilty of wishing my life away! 😔 Happy Thursday... thank you for sharing! 💖
These Steely Dan clips are a godsend as Fagen, Becker, Skunk, et al are tearing it up! Cheers Midnight Special! The band made very few live televised appearances - this clip is 50 years old and it's great to see.
@@themidnightspecialtvshowI purchased the Midnight Special DVDs when they were first available, then for some reason they stopped the series. Will more be available to buy?
I got to see them in Denver, CO in 1973 opeining up for Chuck Berry. They first song was "Bodhisattva" it wasn't even on a record yet. Had no idea who they were until they played "Do It Again". Wow, unforgettable.
Thanks for that memory. Were the girls singing backup in Denver? I didn't see them until April 1974, and Jenny and Gloria weren't on that tour. I've always wondered if they ever played "Midnite Cruiser" in 1973, so drummer Jim Hodder could sing lead.
@@andyinoregon just the boys. They only did 3 songs. Bodhisattva, Do It Again, Reelin' In the Years. Everybody wanted them to play more but Chuck Berry had to go on. Phenominal performance. Made me an instant lifelong fan.
@@eyefulpower Appreciate the info. We were lucky to see them as headliners at the U. of Toledo on April 21,1974, because two nights earlier they had to open for The Beach Boys at Ohio State U. Also opened for them in Pittsburgh.
Steely Dan opening for Chuck Berry! Wow. And they only slotted them enough time to do 3 tunes? I've not only seen Steely Dan 20+ times since they restarted touring in 1993, I saw Chuck Berry about 4 or 5 times at his "home base" performance venue in his last few decades, Blueberry Hill basement bar called the Duck Room in St Louis. A tiny little floor area that holds about 300 people. Including his 80th birthday celebration where Joe Perry of Aerosmith was in the audience and walked up to join Chuck on stage to do a few songs. I also was one of the few members of the public that was allowed in to see Chuck's memorial service across the street at a larger music venue. Chuck was laid to rest in his coffin in a white suit, captain's cap, and his guitar! Music performances by his family led by Johnny Rivers, who I met and talked with the night before. Very cool chill guy with great stories. A surreal memorial service.
Dam,I was 11 year's old growing up in a little beach town in Southern California at this time. It's like the music just fit. The ladies back then seemed so much more beautiful.
I love that they played this faster than the studio version and Skunk still burns the house down. Denny Dias, just chillin’, comping the horn parts. What a band.
54. 8-31-73 I would have been driving from Chicago back to Colorado to start sophomore year. Convoying with a couple of my friends and pretty sure there was at least one Steely Dan in the 8 track box.
I've known them forever , and always knew they were good. Or even very good. But for some reason, it took me 30 or 40 years to know they actually were GREAT... Only now I'm obsessed with their fantastic 70s string of albums. Weird phenomenon...
Becoming a card-carrying Steely Dan AND Doobie Brothers core player simultaneously is quite an achievement. Let's hear it for legendary guitarist Jeffrey Allen "Skunk" Baxter - Amen Brother!
Lowell George deserves a special place in the rock&roll hall of fame. Such a shame he left us so early. His solo album Thanks I'll Eat It Here is one of my all time favorites by anyone I've ever listened to in any musical category!!!
I am so honored that you responded to my comment. I, along with my elderly mother, have been enjoying your videos for years. Sorry if my writing is not the best, as I am from Mexico.
Another treasure unearthed! Just saw Show Biz Kids a few weeks ago from this same performance and it bowled me over. Then Reelin' In The Years recently and now this one OMG! Where to start? Fagen and the late Walter Becker wrote so many wonderful songs. As a lot of people already know, television performances from their early years are pretty rare. Such a talented and well rounded band too, top notch musicians. Jeff the skunk Baxter is the consummate guitarist. He does it all from playing some memorable over the top solos to tasty licks or just playing some damn good rhythm parts and keeping it all together. Not every guitarist can do that and Jeff does it with aplomb. Denny Dias is no slouch either and in a way reminds me of a larger version of a bearded Jim Morrison! anyone else catch that? But seriously though great stuff! Love the whole performance and the two backup singer ladies only help to add more fun and flare to this incendiary performance... Love it!! Thank you for sharing this 🥰👍
The girl got busted and gave names to get off on a lighter sentence. Fagan was one. I'm never giving a red cent to my old school either for different reasons. NCSU for having the capacity for 15K students and admitting 20k. But we did win the NCAA basketball tournament in '83.
almost in tears here - the beauty of steely and the 70's....I love the backing singers....the director played it right - put them in the spotlight and let them rock out....perfection....this is the shit that turns me on - playing writing and jamming for almost 50 years...rock n roll...no regrets!
OH. MY. FREAKIN. GOD! WHAT A TREAT TO STUMBLE UPON THIS. Genius level musicians, nothing like it now. i still listen to Steely Dan at home! THE VERY BEST MUSIC FOR ME.
Those days. When we were so lucky to get live performances on all these TV shows. To see them now is such a reminder of how great these shows and bands were.
Wow! My Old School live from 1973. Absolutely incredible to watch. What a great performance by the band. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you so much for posting this video. Steely Dan fans like myself are so happy and grateful you did. I love this Midnight Special channel.
These Steely Dan clips are a godsend as the band made very few live televised appearances - this clip is 50 years old and it's great to see Fagen, Becker, Skunk, et al tearing it up.... cheers Midnight Special.
Their Midnight Special appearances are the brunt of it. Very little more exists aside from TMS appearances.
would you happen to know the name of the guitarist with the beard? they zoom in on him at 2:36
@@spencerphayes Denny Dias
@@gordoh7634 thank you!!
Couldn't agree more! 🥰
There is nothing more early seventies than those two backup singers, they are awesome.
Agree! Anybody know who they are?
Who they be?
@@EvanDahill Jenny “Bucky” Soule in the green hat and Gloria “Porky“ Granola with the long blond hair.
Especially their wooden moves trying to get funky to music not at all constructed for bopping..stiff white girls
@@jimwiesen2278 Thank you!
Back in 1974, if you went on a date and she was wearing a tube top you felt so blessed.
Or even '73.
@@allancerf9038🤣
I was a 34 DD I could never wear a tube top
1976, my wife used to wear a blue and red all time during the summer. What wonderful days, young, and very carefree! Great music!!!!
I'll be the judge of that LOL @@Littlewildone0
Steely Dan isn’t just a band, it’s more like a Hall of Fame for musicians.
Like the 27' Yankees. Ruth and Gehrig in the lineup.
Hell yes they were
Hired hands after Pretzel. no longer a 'band'
Did we let them know that rock and roll is here to stay! He'll ya.
Hall of fame is not enough to define Steely Dan
Man, the girls of the 70's were great.
Doesn’t this bring back memories.
Yeah!! No tattoos, weird piercings, or colored half shaved heads.
I know. I missed it by that much. 🤏🏽
Weren't they just, lol.
I was 16 years old in 1972.
the 80s were also pretty damn nice as well. I can never get enough 80s hair...
Skunk Baxter makes us forget that the studio version of this song had horns.. Awesome!
👍👍👍
The military technology adviser?
@@Fantabiscuit
Self taught military technology advisor..
@@Rockzilla404 amazing
I swear he was channeling some Terry Kath into those solos....so good!
Steely Dan is one of those bands you can not listen to for years, hear one of their songs, and you go right back to listening and enjoying like it was the first time.
Just saw this and I was like thinking the same thing! Now I just need to find my Steely Dan cd's, dust them off and listen to some great music again!!!
I can't imagine going years without listening to Steely Dan. 😢
Takes me right back to the '70s. Loved Steely Dan.
@@marywatkins6798 For me, their music is timeless.
So good to these early videos. Always so fresh no matter how long ago it was,. Skunk is killing it on this one. 👍🎸🎸🎸
This is by far one of the finest and most original rock bands in music history. Steely Dan was basically two unbelievable geniuses. Donald Fagan and Walter becker.the duo was incredible. From king of the World to the caves of altamira, one great song after another, wonderful.
Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.
Love from Italy.
❤ beautiful thank you!!!
Good point. Still, great memories of our youth
✊🏼
Well said!
'79 HS grad from Hawaii!
65-74 Very special time for music. Everyone mixed Everything up. Adios from the Ozarks 🌄🐴✌️
Skunk was on fire 🔥
Seriously Paula,
Mr. Baxter was walking on friggin WATER, you feel me?
Donald Fagan was also just so amazing, straight from the heart, and right through the soul, and the most excellent backup singers were just perfectly concise and spot on, and obviously very thrilled to be part of whole consortium, and who WOULDN’T be?
BTW: If I misread your handle and it’s Paul (or “Paul A.”), don’t bother with any gender reassignment, I love ALL of you Steely Dan fans faithfully and fully, regardless of your personal plumbing!
- Namaste!
Glenn Jones
PS: I’d never seen this clip before, and I’m totally down with admitting I wept like a hungry infant! Because other than laughing at the beauty and absurdity of life, that’s what I DO, and I also highly recommend others to do likewise, but I will allow that it’s “their call” (ain’t I just the picture of generosity and tolerance?)…
- XOXOXO!
@@glenncbjones
It's Paul A. but loved reading your response!! You have great energy!!
Have a blessed weekend
@@paulapodaca7090 Back atcha bro!
Dude Skunk is fire!
Skunk Rules!!! 😃
I love this! Real music, no phony backing tracks or lip syncing. Steely Dan was so good.
Musical artists have been back playing for decades. The Beatles did it. Buddy Holly did it. Whether an artist does this or not depends greatly on the venue, among other things. The Beatles and Buddy Holly are "real music." Them using backing tracks doesn't negate that. And whether your boomer mind can wrap itself around the concept, "real music" exists today as well. Just because you stopped looking for it doesn't mean it isn't there. A tree still makes a noise when it falls in the woods regardless, it turns out.
How often I mimicked them, as a girl!
These guys actually wound up over-overing everything. Each song on Aja and Gaucho had an array of top studio musicians.
Steely Dan's first 4 albums stand up to virtually any other bands first 4 albums. Most bands take some time to find the their groove. Steely Dan had it right from the start. I would say Countdown to Ecstasy is one of the greatest second albums of all time. Brilliant stuff.
They were 'more than a band,' as one documentary described them.
Skunk Baxter burning up the guitar!
If Mick Jagger and Freddie Mercury had a child, I think he'd look like this young Donald Fagen. (Love this old clip!) 😄
This video has just reached 1 million views. It just goes to show not only the importance of Steely Dan as a group, but also of The Midnight Special as an archive of unique and historical performances.
Well said, thanks
Everybody looks like they're having so such fun. You never see this kind of thing anymore.
My God this is such a fierce band. These guys are on fire.
Totally!
high af on coke
Oh, to have been there! This and 'Lost Wages' are just so ferocious. I love the shot of the drummer just chewing gum and playing like it's no big thing....
yea it was only 50 years ago..
@@snoopstp4189Ooops, we done got OLD 😂
I think the girls are almost a separate show within the show. So much talent on one stage. No exaggeration
And Walter hiding out behind them!
Who else is on stage? Lol
@@PAULPINBALL
Ever hear of Steely Dan?
Agreed. They are bloody fantastic.
I remember seeing this live. Still the absolute coolest background singers ever.
Fagen is a pure savant of a songwriter. He just knows how to tell a story, and to pace it perfectly, while he's naturally coming up with great melodies. He's got IT.
Whatever he has IT isn’t good looks.
@@davidmuir7711 definitely not pretty boys, innit...
@foto21 - his songwriting is one of the greatest ever as far as I am concerned. I remember listening to this song as a kid and loving the musicianship and singing along. Not until later in life as an adult did I realize what he meant by the phrase "35 sweet goodbyes".
The poor kids nowadays have to deal with the "subtle" lyrics of songs like WAP.
Other brilliant examples of Dan Fagan's include "Charlie Freak" and "Home at Last." There has never been another like him.
You prefer BTS? Musicians aren't supposed to be models.@@davidmuir7711
I know right? Music was better when ugly people were allowed to make it.@@davidmuir7711
This is Steely Dan at their best! Thank you, Midnight Special!
It always amazes me how Steely Dan was so far ahead of their time with the music they created. Walter Becker & Donald Fagen were true geniuses who mastered their craft, while also making things look effortless. I often wondered why Steely Dan didn’t have more bands trying to copy them. But then I realized that the uniqueness of Steely Dan’s music was in its’ complexity and sophistication.
Steely Dan. A band unlike any other. Masters of music.
Ahead of their time? I'm not sure anyone else ever got to where they went.
@@zzzzzach, that’s an excellent point! 👍👍
How are you not grinning ear to ear watching this? Absolutely fantastic.
Love this band❤❤
I've only watched this video 20 times so far.
Great video!! All the performers are amazing! I especially like the featured lead guitarist 🎸 👍
Walter Becker is a rampaging beast!
Yeah, I am!
Blimey! 50 years of being a Dan fan and this is my FIRST glimpse of the almost-mythical backing singers "Porky and Bucky" (Gloria Granola and Jenny Soule).
Same thing, here! WOW! 46 years of fandom, finally a complete crew video..
I dated Gloria's cousin, Mary Muesli.
Yeah, I was always working late on Friday night so always missed the show and never knew of this performance with the girls till recently.
@@pinguinobc Everyone sowed their oats with Mary.
I went to school with Mary, but barley knew her.
Those back up singers are goddesses. I can't take my eyes off of them 😍
Neither could the cameraman 😁
Agreed The backup singers are gorgeous 😍 ❤
Those back up singers are so dam sexy n hot wow and can sing too wow they look so sweet ❤❤
Bucky is HOT!
yes they are, and looking at Fagen kinda hurts the eyes... lol
Skunk killed it!
I was 21 in '73. All the chicks were absolutely the bomb back then.....no ugly ass Sailor tattoo's on them, no piercing Bullshi55, no purple and green hair.....just the hottest, long haired, thin, knock-out good looks............natural and gorgeous. Friday and Saturday's we all went to the bars. No DJ's, no juke boxes, just live bands everywhere playing current cover songs and boy did we dance, chicks would come in, you bought them and drink and ever single girl wanted to dance and we danced until 2 AM. Sunday we burnt our clothes as they were ruined from all the sweat! No gangs, no thugs, no guns in the bars, very few with cover-charges....just smiling having hella fun times. God I think I danced with a 1,000 potential wifes......the babes were oh my.......everywhere. We had so much fun!
Amen to that brother
I think you covered it well.
Damn, Skunk Baxter is one hell of a guitar player!
He also played the guitar solo on Donna Summer's 1979 smash hit "Hot Stuff."
Check it out !!😎
Steely Dan is awesome! That was so lively and fun! Those guitar solos killed, and the backup singers were having a blast! Love it!😎
Really shows what a force Skunk was in this band, doesn't it?
@@gordonbaker410 And the Doobie Brothers, too!!!
@@austinteutsch
Absolutely!
Skunk built that guitar for the 'My Old School' recording sesh He said later he knew exactly how it would sound before he played it. Looks like a Rickey pickup at the neck.
Skunk is a genius.
This rules on so many levels and one of my favorite Steely Dan tracks.
Oh yeah definitely!
Yep! Well said, agreed!
Definitely my favorite Steely Dan song. How much fun to watch this in 2023!
I always loved this song and thought the one lyric was hilarious because my parents went to William & Mary :)
@tretower57 oh yeah perfect song! Wow that's cool your parents went to that school and I never knew it was a school either lol!
Donald Fagen on piano/vocals
Walter Becker/bass
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and Denny Dias/guitar
Jim Hodder/drums
Royce Jones/alt percussion and backup vocals
Gloria “Porky” Granola and Jenny “Bucky” Soule/backup singers
Takes me back to 9th grade. Being a teen in the 70's was great. I will always love Steely Dan/Donald Fagen.
I was in ninth grade too. I always say that: Being a teen in the 70’s was GREAT! 🎉
Any Steely Dan performance gets an automatic 'Thumbs Up' based on how few live performances from this era exist.
Jeff Baxter never gets the love he deserves as a guitarist. Guy's great! And some kind of missle defense consultant now!
50 yrs ago and still better than most of the crap around today with the exception of a few amazing artists.
Probably the best live performance in the history of live performances....
Just flawless, no autotune, just perfect arrangements , musicianship. And kudos to the mixer awesome mix.
True that.
Check out AC/DC Let There Be Rock 1978. Some college in England. A nearly perfect rock and roll film. You can smell it.
One million views for a 50 year old song, not bad!
I think I count for at least one hundred of those.
Thank you, "The Midnight Special," for leaving no doubt as to Steely Dan's live performance abilities in 1973. When my wife and I saw them play "My Old School" on tour in April 1974, they let Skunk Baxter sing the lead vocal in addition to playing these incredible lead guitar solos. Hard to understand how this song only went to #63 on the singles charts, because over the years it has become every Steely Dan tribute band's set closer.
Hell - it should rank #63 of all time !
I think it didn't rank higher because it was in competition with all their other material. Also, fans like to sing along, and this one's not so easy to sing along. That's a dumb fact but it was certainly true in the 70s. This was an FM deep cut that fans loved, but it was not made for AM, which still dominated.
@@beenaplumber8379 Agreed. In 1973 Steely Dan was mostly a cult favorite among college students. That's why so many of their 1974 tour dates were on college campuses.
@@beenaplumber8379 It was played all the time on AM where I live. I didn't even have FM in 1973.
@@vickihughes5751The question wasn't "Was it less popular?" The question was "Why was it not more popular?" My answer might be wrong, sure, but one thing to keep in mind is that different markets can have very different airplay patterns. You might have been lucky enough to live in a market where the song did much better on AM than it did where other people live.
Wow the background singers are phenomenal!! Also skunk is on fire!!
He's also standing up. Usually, he prefers to sit down to play, which was what he did with the Doobie Brothers.
and standing up!
It's a murderers row, pick your star. You right though.
Love me a blonde hippie chick ! Had to endure 4 years of high school with such beauties.
Seems like there were 2 lines of harmony during the verses they forgot. Fagen's all alone on them...
I went to the College of William and Mary. We used to love it when Fagen sang "William and Mary won't do".
I went to Bard College, the school referenced in the song's title, in the mid-1980s. And, somewhat ironically, my daughter is now a junior at William and Mary. And we both love Steely Dan.
It was sometimes referenced as another William and Mary but Fagen was pissed about the marijuana bust so it was no longer a William and Mary to him. Points to anyone who knows who the Asistant DA was that is referenced in the song.
@@scotth2313G. Gordon Liddy
Give the man a cigar!
I'm 63. I remember very clearly watching this broadcast! Thanks for uploading.
Me too!!!🥳I watched the Midnight Special EVERY weekend!! I’m 64🙋🏽♀️💕
@@donnarupert4926 And Austin City Limits!
I don't know what I was doing, but I'm sure I missed it. I'd remember if I had. ☺🎸🔥💃💃
I'm 62, and remember it clearly. It was Friday night right after school started but before Labor Day. My neighbor/sweetheart 11 year old stayed at our house while her parents were gone. Blazing hot. We were laying on a sheet barely dressed watching this when my mom came it to see what the racket was about. Still, in 1973 we slept on the floor that night with no ridiculous drama.
Fantastic video! One of my favorite songs, featuring the one and only Jeff "Skunk" Baxter shredding hard on lead guitar, back in the days when rock music ruled the world! These guys all earned their pay on this one. My sincere thanks to the folks at The Midnight Special archives!
Oleanders growing outside her door. Beautiful.
Oleanders are poisonous.
2023 69 years old and loving this example of modern rock music back in the 70s. They tore that stage up.
Those lead breaks are so ruanchy, you are legally required to register as a s*x offender in 13 states if you dig 'em.
Those "Home Plate " Jeans on the back up singer with the red tube top is as good as it gets - the 70s at their finest
Between tube tops and Danskins, there weren’t a ton of bras around to burn. 😏
Remember those high waisted jeans that had an exposed zipper from front to back.😛😛😛🤤
This is a treasure! What a performance. Skunk Baxter manages to be so raw on those leads, but at the same time perfect for the vibe. Such a great guitarist. And he definitely had "the look." Loved his stuff with the Doobies.
The Midnight Special was my connection to the outside world living in a small midwestern town. I'd heard Steely Danon FM radio but seeing them on Mom and Dad's Motorola was a major treat!
SKUNK!! Dude... was amazing.
I was a frustrated 13yr old wanting more from music I listened to when along came Steely Dan and my musical taste became more complicated, sophisticated and joyous. Thank you Steely Dan. You, Pink Floyd, the Doobies, Roxy Music, Bowie and Led Zeppelin renewed my love of music ... and still do, 50yrs later.
Yep, generally speaking, I feel sorry for kids today. Their "earworm" music 50 years from now will be veeeery different.
I was born in 1960 and I feel like I've got to experience the best music ever made by people that had a God given talent before computers.
oh man, I'm watching this 51 years later to the day!
Skunk Baxter : the man & The Legend.
So fun to see Steely Dan, Fagen and Becker but best of all those backup singers. Man the 70s were so rich musically.
If Midnight Special isn't in the Library of Congress then it should be!! Another great performance from a groundbreaking show. Thank you Burt Sugarman.
Thanks, The Midnight Special, for providing us great entertainment and such sweet memories! ❤️
Any time!
Oh yeah ❤
💯
It amazes me how great this song still sounds live, without horns like they had on the studio recording of it!
A band like no other...sooo many hits...so much jazz fusion, soo much TALENT and such intelligent lyrics. Kids today have no clue. It's sad.
💯
I plan those tracks to my 22 year old daughter. She loves it and got my old vinyls on top. She is studying jazz violin
Play….*not plan* typo
Well I know there are exceptions...kids who have engaged parents!
Everyone is a product of their environment. Your generation is as much to blame for this one as the generations before you are to blame for yours, Greg. Personal responsibility wasn't invented by your generation, or summarily removed by the generation you bore.
Skunk was gassed at the end. Dude brought the energy, with great pace through extremely difficult riffs. 👏
@callmesceptical9114. Note Skunk's chromatic walk down at the end...
I couldn't wait to graduate. I was thinking, "I'm never going back to "'My Old School""
Now that I am on the other end of the spectrum... I wish I could go back to"My Old School"
I'm guilty of wishing my life away! 😔
Happy Thursday... thank you for sharing! 💖
Gorgeous girls and Jeff Baxter on lead guitar!! Awesome!!
I don’t know a Jeff Baxter. Is he related to Skunk Baxter?! LOL. 😃
Jeff still Loves Laura Royko 💖
Me too! 😁
Great band. Thank you, Steely Dan for making the world a better place.
These Steely Dan clips are a godsend as Fagen, Becker, Skunk, et al are tearing it up! Cheers Midnight Special! The band made very few live televised appearances - this clip is 50 years old and it's great to see.
Our pleasure!
@@themidnightspecialtvshow Yes thank you as well. I have many DVDs and will you be releasing new stuff via this format too?
@@themidnightspecialtvshowI purchased the Midnight Special DVDs when they were first available, then for some reason they stopped the series. Will more be available to buy?
I got to see them in Denver, CO in 1973 opeining up for Chuck Berry. They first song was "Bodhisattva" it wasn't even on a record yet. Had no idea who they were until they played "Do It Again". Wow, unforgettable.
Thanks for that memory. Were the girls singing backup in Denver? I didn't see them until April 1974, and Jenny and Gloria weren't on that tour. I've always wondered if they ever played "Midnite Cruiser" in 1973, so drummer Jim Hodder could sing lead.
@@andyinoregon just the boys. They only did 3 songs. Bodhisattva, Do It Again, Reelin' In the Years. Everybody wanted them to play more but Chuck Berry had to go on. Phenominal performance. Made me an instant lifelong fan.
@@eyefulpower Appreciate the info. We were lucky to see them as headliners at the U. of Toledo on April 21,1974, because two nights earlier they had to open for The Beach Boys at Ohio State U. Also opened for them in Pittsburgh.
Steely Dan opening for Chuck Berry! Wow. And they only slotted them enough time to do 3 tunes?
I've not only seen Steely Dan 20+ times since they restarted touring in 1993, I saw Chuck Berry about 4 or 5 times at his "home base" performance venue in his last few decades, Blueberry Hill basement bar called the Duck Room in St Louis. A tiny little floor area that holds about 300 people. Including his 80th birthday celebration where Joe Perry of Aerosmith was in the audience and walked up to join Chuck on stage to do a few songs.
I also was one of the few members of the public that was allowed in to see Chuck's memorial service across the street at a larger music venue. Chuck was laid to rest in his coffin in a white suit, captain's cap, and his guitar! Music performances by his family led by Johnny Rivers, who I met and talked with the night before. Very cool chill guy with great stories. A surreal memorial service.
@@kbrewski1 Great info! I've always had Chuck Berry on my Mt. Rushmore of singer/songwriters, along with Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell.
Dam,I was 11 year's old growing up in a little beach town in Southern California at this time. It's like the music just fit. The ladies back then seemed so much more beautiful.
My favorite Steely Dan song.
Absolutely Great! Nothing today can even come close.
These Woman have Great Energy and Hit the Notes
Magnificent Masterpiece from Master Musicians, fan for over 50 years, top of the line solid gold standard of excellence
Steely Dan has always been composed of exceptional musicians. It is always a joy to attend one of their concerts.
I love that they played this faster than the studio version and Skunk still burns the house down. Denny Dias, just chillin’, comping the horn parts. What a band.
I graduated high school in 1973. I had Steeley Dan's album, and this was my all-time favorite song
me too . great memories. wish it was 73 again
Don't get much better than this. One of the finest rock bands ever in top form. Go Skunk!
I saw this episode. The audio wasn't the best, but to see Steely Dan live was a real treat.
Skunk always around big hits with Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers
Oh my that blondie back up singer..... 💞
Gloria Yeager! Married to the Dodger Steve Yeager
The only thing im looking at
She used to be part of Brazil 66 and then she played Lt. Dish on MASH the TV series.
Damn, those folks could pay. Love that rock out! Still loving this music 50 years later.
This was recorded 50yrs ago today. Love it
I took for granted how great this music has always been. I feel lucky for having gone through my adolescence with Steely Dan as the soundtrack.
Me too! 🎧🎸☺️
Haha me too - born in ‘71 my Dad loved the Dan and passed the obsession on to me! 😂
The holy grail! ❤ Thanks so much. They are absolutely ripping it up here ! 😍 Skunk absolutely shredding at 2.35 😮!
Oh yeah!
1:04 Skunk Baxter (now Pentagon missile defense consultant)
I love watching those girls dance. They look like they're having so much fun, and so beautiful!
for all of their reputation as studio obsessives, they really tear through these terrific SD songs - more please!
They were studio perfectionists but they also were and have been since 1993 a great live band.
I'm so blessed to have grown up in this great era (born in 1960)!
1960 me too.
1958 here, which made the 70's great for high school!
‘61, feeling so fortunate to be a teen in the 70s. Best era for growing up🤙
Me too! It was hanging out at the bowling alley where my mom league bowled. Then heading home to catch The Midnight Special. Treasured memories!
54. 8-31-73 I would have been driving from Chicago back to Colorado to start sophomore year. Convoying with a couple of my friends and pretty sure there was at least one Steely Dan in the 8 track box.
That guitar is smoke 🔥
these back uo singers are pure 70's energy. Love it
I've known them forever , and always knew they were good. Or even very good. But for some reason, it took me 30 or 40 years to know they actually were GREAT... Only now I'm obsessed with their fantastic 70s string of albums. Weird phenomenon...
The number of recent comments on this footage gives me hope for humanity. ✌️
School is easily in the Top Ten of SD's best. A real barn-burner from the beginning. Bravo, guys!
Becoming a card-carrying Steely Dan AND Doobie Brothers core player simultaneously is quite an achievement.
Let's hear it for legendary guitarist Jeffrey Allen "Skunk" Baxter - Amen Brother!
Lowell George deserves a special place in the rock&roll hall of fame. Such a shame he left us so early. His solo album Thanks I'll Eat It Here is one of my all time favorites by anyone I've ever listened to in any musical category!!!
Steely Dan is my favorite band of all time. Thanks Mr. Sugarman for sharing with us and bringing us so much joy with these HISTORIC performances.
You are welcome, Burt
I am so honored that you responded to my comment. I, along with my elderly mother, have been enjoying your videos for years. Sorry if my writing is not the best, as I am from Mexico.
Another treasure unearthed! Just saw Show Biz Kids a few weeks ago from this same performance and it bowled me over. Then Reelin' In The Years recently and now this one OMG! Where to start? Fagen and the late Walter Becker wrote so many wonderful songs. As a lot of people already know, television performances from their early years are pretty rare. Such a talented and well rounded band too, top notch musicians. Jeff the skunk Baxter is the consummate guitarist. He does it all from playing some memorable over the top solos to tasty licks or just playing some damn good rhythm parts and keeping it all together. Not every guitarist can do that and Jeff does it with aplomb. Denny Dias is no slouch either and in a way reminds me of a larger version of a bearded Jim Morrison! anyone else catch that? But seriously though great stuff! Love the whole performance and the two backup singer ladies only help to add more fun and flare to this incendiary performance... Love it!! Thank you for sharing this 🥰👍
Just think what they could have done with an advocate beyond the fans.....
The girl got busted and gave names
to get off on a lighter sentence. Fagan was one. I'm never giving a red cent to my old school either for different reasons. NCSU for having the capacity for 15K students and admitting 20k. But we did win the NCAA basketball tournament in '83.
Has there ever been 2 more beautiful women together, on any stage. Good lord. They couldn’t have picked a better band to back them. ✌️
This is a historic document. Skunk…fabulous, on of my favourite SD songs ❤
almost in tears here - the beauty of steely and the 70's....I love the backing singers....the director played it right - put them in the spotlight and let them rock out....perfection....this is the shit that turns me on - playing writing and jamming for almost 50 years...rock n roll...no regrets!
OH. MY. FREAKIN. GOD! WHAT A TREAT TO STUMBLE UPON THIS. Genius level musicians, nothing like it now. i still listen to Steely Dan at home! THE VERY BEST MUSIC FOR ME.
50 years ago today
Walter Becker (bass, backing vocals),
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter (guitar, backing vocals),
Denny Dias (guitar, backing vocals)
Gloria 'Porky' Granola (backing vocals),
Jenny 'Bucky' Soule (backing vocals)
Donald Fagen (Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, lead vocals),
Jim Hodder (drums)
Royce Jones (percussion, backing vocals),
On fire,watch this over and over. The girls are on point!
GREAT talent! One of the top groups of all time 🙏
Those days. When we were so lucky to get live performances on all these TV shows. To see them now is such a reminder of how great these shows and bands were.
Wow! My Old School live from 1973. Absolutely incredible to watch. What a great performance by the band. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you so much for posting this video. Steely Dan fans like myself are so happy and grateful you did. I love this Midnight Special channel.
100
Glad you enjoyed it
The Midnight Special channel is swell. It's like my 2nd home.