When Jazz Rock Intelligence Met Early Seventies Energy: Steely Dan Bring “Reelin’ in the Years” to Television
The early rise of Steely Dan remains one of the most fascinating stories in American rock of the nineteen seventies. A surviving television clip of the band performing “Reelin’ in the Years,” later broadcast on the BBC music program The Old Grey Whistle Test in 1978, offers a valuable glimpse into the group’s formative period. Although the broadcast occurred later in the decade, the performance itself appears to come from the band’s earliest touring era around 1972, shortly after the release of their debut album Can’t Buy a Thrill.
“Reelin’ in the Years” was originally released in 1972 and quickly became one of the signature tracks from Can’t Buy a Thrill. Written by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, the song captured the band’s unusual blend of sharp lyrical wit, rock rhythm, and sophisticated musical structure. At a time when American rock music was expanding beyond simple blues formulas, Steely Dan stood apart for their literate songwriting and precise musicianship.
The television performance reflects that early identity. The lineup visible in the clip corresponds closely with the group that introduced Steely Dan to audiences during their first touring cycle. Donald Fagen handles vocals and keyboards while Walter Becker performs on bass. Guitar work is shared by Denny Dias and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, both key figures in shaping the band’s sound during its early years. Drums are handled by Jim Hodder, another member of the original touring lineup.
One of the most celebrated elements of “Reelin’ in the Years” is its remarkable guitar solo, performed on the studio recording by session guitarist Elliott Randall. The solo has often been praised by critics and musicians for its clarity and melodic structure. Guitarist Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin once cited it as one of his favorite recorded guitar solos. Even in live settings where different players handled the lead lines, the song retained its reputation as a showcase for sharp and energetic guitar playing.
An important detail in the performance is the absence of Michael McDonald. McDonald joined Steely Dan’s touring group in 1973 as a backing vocalist and keyboardist and later became widely known for his distinctive voice and his subsequent success with the Doobie Brothers. Because he is not visible or audible in this clip, many observers believe the footage originates from 1972, before his involvement with the band’s live performances.
The recording therefore captures Steely Dan at a moment when they were still functioning as a conventional touring band rather than the studio focused project they would soon become. By the middle of the decade Becker and Fagen would largely withdraw from the road, dedicating themselves to meticulous studio production.
Seen today, the performance stands as an important historical document. It reveals a young Steely Dan still rooted in live rock performance while already displaying the musical sophistication that would define their legacy. For fans and historians of seventies rock, the clip preserves the moment when one of America’s most intelligent bands first translated its studio brilliance onto the stage.