Peg (Live 1995)

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove with the Zoo Crew as they spin "Peg (Live 1995)" by Steely Dan from their album Alive in America. This track, originally from the 1977 album Aja, is a jazzy pop gem that showcases the band's meticulous craftsmanship. One of the most intriguing stories about "Peg" is its iconic guitar solo, which took seven top studio guitarists—including legends like Robben Ford and Larry Carlton—to nail down. After hours of attempts, Jay Graydon's solo was deemed the "keeper" after a grueling six-hour session, a testament to Steely Dan's relentless pursuit of perfection. Graydon later reflected in a 2014 interview that even the best session players faced rejection, highlighting the band's uncompromising standards.

Another tidbit comes from the song's backing vocals, where Michael McDonald’s distinctive harmonies shine. Interestingly, producer Gary Katz revealed that Don Henley of the Eagles was initially brought in to sing on "Peg," but the session didn’t work out, leading to McDonald stepping in to complete the track. This swap was particularly awkward since both Steely Dan and the Eagles shared the same manager, Irving Azoff, and were part of the same L.A. music scene. Posts on X from accounts like @in_yacht have celebrated "Peg" as essential yacht rock, noting its peak at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978 and praising the contributions of McDonald, Graydon, and drummer Rick Marotta, who called it one of the greatest tracks he ever played on.

The lyrics of "Peg," penned by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, tell the tale of an aspiring actress caught in a seedy L.A. photo shoot, with a jilted boyfriend narrating her pursuit of fame. Donald Fagen shared in a Genius annotation that the song emerged organically from a blues riff he was tinkering with on his upright piano in Malibu in 1976, inspired by old movies and jazz chord changes. The name "Peg" was chosen simply because it fit the song’s rhythm, with no deeper meaning attached. Fans on r/SteelyDan have speculated about connections to figures like actress Peg Entwistle, who tragically jumped from the Hollywood sign in 1932, though Becker and Fagen never confirmed such inspirations.

Steely Dan, the brainchild of Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, began in 1971 at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, where the two met in 1967. Bonded by their love for jazz, blues, and Beat Generation literature, they started writing songs together after Fagen overheard Becker practicing guitar in a campus café. Their early career saw them playing in local bands, including one with future comedian Chevy Chase on drums, and later as backing musicians for Jay and the Americans under pseudonyms—Fagen as Tristan Fabriani and Becker as Gustav Mahler. By 1970, they moved to Los Angeles as staff songwriters for ABC/Dunhill, where producer Gary Katz encouraged them to form a band. Naming themselves after a steam-powered dildo from William S. Burroughs’ Naked Lunch, they released their debut album, Can’t Buy a Thrill, in 1972, featuring hits like "Do It Again" and "Reelin’ in the Years."

Zoo Freaks can stay connected with Steely Dan through their official website and Facebook, where Donald Fagen posts updates about concerts and merchandise. While the band doesn’t maintain an official Instagram or X account, fans can dive into discussions on the r/SteelyDan subreddit or join groups like the Steely Dan Fans on Facebook. For more fan-driven content, check out Steely Dan Database, a comprehensive fan site with discographies and tour details. Keep vibing with the Zoo Crew, and let "Peg" take you to that jazzy, cynical Steely Dan world!