Steely Dan
Steely Dan is an American rock band, active since the 1970s. Their music is characterized by complex, jazz-influenced structures and harmonies and sarcastic, eccentric lyrics.
Quotes
"I like having the two of us drumming. It doesn't always work in groups and both of you have to forget about your ego. With us it sounds like one guy playing at times, but it makes for a better combination of sounds. From the time the band was put together, Donald wanted two drummers. I was against it at first, but what the hell, we had two guitarists and two keyboard players, so why not two drummers? And my favorite band has two drummers -- Frank Zappa and the Mothers. It can work like a locomotive, especially on tunes like "Do It Again." It gives us both time to relax in different parts and we can concentrate more on the next fill." - Jim Hodder [1].
Interviewer: Did you ever meet Zappa?
Donald Fagen: "We opened for him on a run in the Midwest in the '70s, so I talked to him a little bit on the plane a couple of times. He was great."- Interview with Donald Fagen [2].
When the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame inducted Steely Dan in 2001 Walter Becker asked the audience who the drummer of The Mothers of Invention was? To his glee they answered correctly: "Jimmy Carl Black". [3].
