Reelin’ in the Years in St. Augustine A Highlight from Donald Fagen and the NightFlyers Tour
On August 12, 2017, at the historic St. Augustine Amphitheatre in Florida, fans were treated to a notable live performance by Donald Fagen and the NightFlyers that spotlighted one of Steely Dan’s most enduring songs, Reelin’ in the Years. The concert formed part of a summer tour showcasing Fagen’s solo work alongside classic Steely Dan material and highlighted his dual identity as an artist in his own right and as co-founder of one of rock’s most respected groups.
Reelin’ in the Years originally appeared on Steely Dan’s 1972 debut album Cant Buy a Thrill and quickly became a signature track for the band, known for its clever lyricism and sharp guitar work. The song reached number eleven on the Billboard Hot One Hundred chart, establishing itself as one of the group’s early commercial successes.
During the St. Augustine show, Reelin’ in the Years was featured as the encore, underscoring its importance in Fagen’s live repertoire. Throughout the evening, Fagen and the NightFlyers delivered a rich setlist that seamlessly blended material from Fagen’s solo catalog with beloved Steely Dan classics, creating a bridge between different phases of his career. Songs such as Hey Nineteen, Kid Charlemagne, and Peg appeared earlier in the lineup, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the Steely Dan catalog even when performed by Fagen without his longtime collaborator Walter Becker.
The NightFlyers backing band supported Fagen with musicianship that respected the original arrangements while adding fresh live energy. Guitar work, keyboards, and rhythm sections were carefully balanced, allowing Reelin’ in the Years to retain its defining elements – a mix of sharp rhythmic drive and laid back sophistication that Steely Dan fans recognize instantly.
What set this performance apart was the way it functioned as both a tour highlight and an affectionate reworking of a classic. For many in the crowd, hearing Reelin’ in the Years live in St. Augustine reaffirmed the song’s longevity and its place in the canon of early seventies American rock. Fagen’s delivery, both vocally and instrumentally, remained confident and connected to the original spirit of the track.
More than four decades after its release, Reelin’ in the Years continued to resonate with audiences when performed live, demonstrating the timeless quality of the material and the enduring artistry of Donald Fagen as a performer of his own work and that of Steely Dan.