Craig Allen’s Fun Facts: “Reelin’ In The Years”

Its another "Free Ticket Weekend" at New Jersey 101.5!

Seeing as "Steely Dan" concert tickets are up for grabs...I thought it would be "fun" to find a few facts about one of the songs that you are listening for this weekend!

First and foremost, Steely Dan has a Jersey connection!

While Donald Fagen and Walter Becker formed the band in Los Angeles...Fagen was born in Passaic!

Our "Fun Facts" song, "Reelin' In The Years" would be Steely Dan's second hit on the Top-40 charts...

...landing at #11 (for 3 weeks), in early 1973 ("Do It Again" had charted 6 months earlier).

What is the song about?

Recalling times with a girlfriend...and then the breakup.

It is interesting to note that while "Reelin'" is one of Steely Dan's most popular songs...

...its is one of the bands' LEAST FAVORITE!

In a 2009 edition of "Rolling Stone," Donald Fagen said of the hit record: "It's dumb, but effective."

Walter Becker adds: "Its no fun"

Bummer.

Elliott Randall (not a member of Steely Dan) stopped by the studio during the recording session, on the invitation of guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter. As he was there, Randall ended up playing the song's guitar solo! Timing is everything, right?

Randall's work on "Reelin' In The Years" has earned high praise...Jimmy Paige from "Led Zeppelin" calls it his favorite guitar solo of all time!

Further, this guest stint would set a bit of a precedent...as by Steely Dan's fourth album, almost every player was a "studio musician!

In a VH-1 list of the 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time, Steely Dan were listed at #82.

Keep listening for your chance to see Steely Dan at the PNC Bank Arts Center on July 6th!

Go back to the home page of nj1015.com (or click HERE), and become a "NJ Insider" to see the list of Steely Dan songs we'll play all weekend...and the TIMES when the songs play!

Good Luck!

And...in the meantime...reel in the years...LIVE (above).