Donald Fagen Regrets His ‘Dumb Reason’ For Rejecting Michael McDonald As Steely Dan’s Frontman
Donald Fagen revealed that he had wanted Michael McDonald to become the permanent lead vocalist of Steely Dan.
McDonald contributed vocals and piano during Steely Dan’s tours in 1973 and 1974 and worked on studio projects until the release of ‘Gaucho’ in 1980. He then rejoined the band for another period in 2006.
In a new interview with the New York Times, Fagen recently discussed why the collaboration with McDonald didn’t continue:
“There was a serious discussion about whether he should replace me as the lead singer, which would have been my personal preference. But, for some dumb reason, I was voted down.”
He added that he regretted it for not insisting on it:
“I didn’t insist, and I’ve regretted it ever since. I mean, here’s this monster singer and musician, and he’s also really funny and a sweetheart of a guy. What’s not to like?”
McDonald ‘Knocked Everyone Out’
In the same interview, Fagen remembered meeting McDonald for the first time in 1973. A few days later, the two appeared in the Steely Dan rehearsal together and in Fagen’s words, McDonald ‘knocked everyone out.’ This moment, along with many others, is covered in McDonald’s memoir titled ‘What a Fool Believes.’
The memoir was named after the hit McDonald co-wrote with Kenny Loggins. McDonald wrote the book with his musician friend, Paul Reiser. The memoir comes out on Tuesday, May 21. McDonald and Reiser will appear together at a series of book tour events to promote it.
