Steelin' in the Years Rocks the Argyle Theatre Stage

Summer will be in full swing on June 21, 2024, and the place to be is the beautiful Argyle Theatre in Babylon Village to hear some Yacht Rock by the beloved Steely Dan Tribute Band Steelin' in the Years, founded by Long Island personality Johnny Fannon.

The original Steely Dan was the brainchild of two New York college buddies, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. This dynamic musical duo moved to Los Angeles to record their 1972 debut, "Can't Buy a Thrill," which became a platinum hit. A half-century later, their other megahit singles, like "Do It Again," "Reelin' in the Years," and "Dirty Work," still rule the classic rock canon.

Steely Dan is known for their soulful, edgy, provocative, and stream-of-consciousness vibe. The very fact that Becker and Fagen, huge fans of Beat Generation writers, named the band after a steam-powered, strap-on sex toy used in an X-rated scene in William S. Burroughs's 1959 novel "The Naked Lunch" says it all. What really makes Steely Dan one of the most beloved bands of all time is their distinctive back vocals, dry production sound, complex chords, clean vocals, coded lyrics, catchy melodies, and a wide array of musical styles, including soul, Latin, jazz, rock, and R&B.

Steelin' in the Years has some of the best vocalists and musicians you will hear on any stage. Johnny Fannon, the lead vocalist and frontman for the band, is a multi-talented performer. He is a professional actor and a member of the SAG-AFTRA. Fannon appeared in "Jessica Jones" with Kristen Ritter and "The Mysteries of Laura" with Debra Messing. He has also performed his own standup comedy routine at the Gotham Comedy Club in New York City. According to Fannon, their Argyle Theatre show will feature many of Steely Dan's greatest hits, including "Aja," "Reelin' in the Years," "Black Cow," "Rikki Don't Lose That Number," "Josie," "Hey Nineteen," Do It Again," "Black Friday," "Peg," "Kid Charlemagne," and "Dirty Work."

Billy Milne is the band's powerhouse drummer and backup vocalist as well. Milne has toured with Billy Falcon's Burning Rose band, which played at My Father's Place, CBGBs, and Max's Kansas City.

Stellar vocalist Pam Dixon has been professionally singing since she was 17 and has many vocal styles. For fifteen years, she was a member of the all-original NYC hard rock band Kaos From Order and has performed with Randy Jackson of Zebra and Lynyrd Skynyrd members Artimus Pyle, and the late JoJo Billingsley in tribute bands The Long Island Street Survivors, Crawdaddy, and Sons of Skynyrd. Dixon is a triple threat who sings, acts, and dances and has performed in several musical and dramatic productions in New York City and abroad.

Richard Forman is an accomplished keyboardist and vocalist. Some highlights of his career include long stints with the popular Billy Joel band Songs in the Attic and the national touring Foreigner tribute band Head Games. In addition, he has shared a stage with Bonnie Tyler, Bret Michaels, and 60s rocker Mitch Ryder.

Colleen Farquhar is a brilliant vocalist, saxophonist, and percussionist. Farquhar performs nationwide with tribute bands such as All Revved Up: The Ultimate Meat Loaf Tribute, Pat Farrell and the Cold Spring Harbor Band, and Pompeii Floyd.

Mark Lopresti is a saxophonist whose musical journey has been as diverse as it is dynamic. With a lifelong dedication to his craft, Lopresti's repertoire spans from the jazz rhythms of the Stony Brook University Big Band to the high-energy performances of the Rolling Stones cover band Let It Bleed.

Kevin "Abe" Barry picked up a guitar after receiving Ricky Nelson's first album, and he's been at it ever since. He's been on stage with Roger McGuinn, Gene Clark (The Byrds), Rob Stoner, and Robert Gordon.

Mike Young is a guitarist, composer, and educator. He plays solo and duo gigs and does studio work for friends nationwide.

Jay Sepe is a bassist from Long Island who has performed many genres of music in his 30-plus-year career. Sepe was the bassist on the Skynrds Legends Tour 2005 and a member of the Artimus Pyle Band.

The Steelin' in the Years concert is the hottest show of the 2024 summer season! So, Dan Fans, click the link to purchase tickets for the June 21, 8:00 p.m. performance: Tickets to Steelin' in the Years, or call 844-631-LIVE (5483).

Cindi Sansone-Braff is an award-winning playwright. She has a BFA in Theatre from UCONN and is a member of the Dramatists Guild. She is the author of "Grant Me a Higher Love," "Why Good People Can't Leave Bad Relationships," and "Confessions of a Reluctant Long Island Psychic." Her full-length Music Drama, "Beethoven, The Man, The Myth, The Music," is published by Next Stage Press. www.Grantmeahigherlove.com.