Rock legends, Steely Dan deliver a memorable evening to thankful and appreciative Louisville fans
The chance to see Steely Dan perform at the picturesque Louisville Palace was not missed by many in Louisville, with a nearly sold out show. Walking up to the venue less than 30 minutes before the evening started saw lines at the entrances stretching as far as the eye could see. Getting closer to the doors you could feel the excitement of the crowd and the enthusiastic discussions about what the evening would bring.
There is no question about the importance or prominence of Steely Dan and the legacy of their music. With a career spanning more than 46 years and counting, the Grammy-award winning group, with more than 40 million albums sold worldwide hold a special place in rock history. In 2001 Steely Dan was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and VH1 lists them as #82 of the top 100 greatest musical artists of all time.
As the house lights fall and the stage lights come up, a solid ovation greets the members of Steely Dan as they take their places, starting off with the instrumental “Hallelujah Time”. As the song ends Donald Fagen casually enters the stage greeted by a raucous ovation as he takes his place behind his keyboard.
Over the next 90+ minutes Donald Fagan and Steely Day stroll through a set that includes something for everyone from the most ardent fan to those only casually familiar with the group, starting with “Bodhisattva,” huge fan favorite “Hey Nineteen”, and “Black Friday”.
While there was not much interaction or banter from the stage, Donald and the group were definitely feeding off the energy in the room and let the music do the talking as Steely Dan mixed in huge hits like “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number,” “Peg” and enormous fan favorite “Josie” with “Aja”, “Time Out of Mind”, and “Green Earrings”.
Steely Dan wrapped up their main set with “My Old School” complete with a standing ovation from the cheering crowd. The cheers and clapping seemed to get louder and louder drawing Steely Dan out for a two-song encore. As Donald Fagan once again took his seat behind the keyboards he emphatically addressed the crowd, “Wow Wee, We need to come back to Kentucky real soon, You all have been amazing, Thank You!” as the instantly familiar chords of “Reelin’ In the Years” started the encore set followed by the Joe Williams cover of “A Man Ain’t Supposed to Cry” closing out what was a memorable evening of classic music by a legend of a group.
Onstage with Donald Fagan was the outstanding guitarist Jon Herington, bassist “Ready” Freddy Washington, backing vocalists La Tanya Hall and Carolyn Leonhart, drummer Keith Carlock, Walt Weiskopf on tenor Sax, Grammy-winning trumpeter Michael Leonhart, Jim Pugh on Trombone and Roger Rosenberg on Sax and Grammy award winning keyboardist Jim Beard.
