There’s that certain delight when your interests coincide with someone else’s. I knew a bit about this particular connection before, but it was nice to read about it again.
I’m a big Steely Dan fan (I finally got to see them in concert in 2009). Friday’s Wall Street Journal‘s Friday Journal section had a Q&A with Donald Fagen, who with Walter Becker is the duo that is Dan.
Just over halfway through the interview, there’s this question:
WSJ: Where does the sardonic edge (in your lyrics) come from?
Fagen: Walter and I enjoyed reading science fiction as kids. Writers like Alfred Bester, Frederic (sic) Brown and Robert Heinlein. They were mainly writing satire under the guise of science fiction. They created this alternate reality that’s sort of like this one, but by its very difference illuminated certain things about this one.
Other than the misspelling of “Fredric” in Marc Myers‘ story, it was great to see three pulp writers (particularly Brown) you enjoy reading intersecting with a terrific band you enjoy listening to.
