Conveniently timed with "Dirty Work" bridging the generational gap thanks to that Euphoria episode, Steely Dan are gearing up to head out on tour this summer — and Aimee Mann says she's unexpectedly been dropped from her opening slot on the run: "it seems they thought their audience wouldn't like a female singer-songwriter?"
UPDATE (3/17, 1:50 p.m. ET): Steely Dan's Donald Fagen has issued a statement to Rolling Stone denying the gender-based grounds of Mann's claims.
"Well, first of all, the idea that I would make any decision based on the gender of a performer is ridiculous; that's something that would never even occur to me," Fagen said, noting that acts like Phoebe Snow and Rickie Lee Jones had opened for the band before.
"There was a communication problem on our end," Fagen explained. "I was misinformed as to how firm the commitment was to any particular opening act. And, although I have the greatest respect for Aimee as a writer and performer, I thought it might not be the best matchup in terms of musical style."
Yesterday (March 16), Mann shared the news in a four-panel comic illustration posted to her Instagram with the caption "Bummer."
The full text of the comic reads:
I was supposed to open for Steely Dan this summer. I just found out that they took me off the bill. No one is entirely sure why, but it seems they thought their audience wouldn't like a female singer-songwriter? As it happens, Steely Dan is the one band that I 100% love, with no reservations, so it really sucks. But you know what? People are allowed to not like you, for whatever reason. Good luck to all bands.
Steely Dan's website shows Snarky Puppy listed as the sole opening act on their upcoming dates, with the ensemble and Mann having been announced as the special guests just last month after Steve Winwood dropped out. The North American tour was initially announced back at the beginning of 2020, then postponed until 2021 and then — you know the drill — postponed again.
As press began picking up the story, Mann offered further commentary on Twitter, writing: "All is forgiven if Donald [Fagen] just tells me what Brooklyn is about."
UPDATE (3/17, 1:50 p.m. ET): Steely Dan's Donald Fagen has issued a statement to Rolling Stone denying the gender-based grounds of Mann's claims.
"Well, first of all, the idea that I would make any decision based on the gender of a performer is ridiculous; that's something that would never even occur to me," Fagen said, noting that acts like Phoebe Snow and Rickie Lee Jones had opened for the band before.
"There was a communication problem on our end," Fagen explained. "I was misinformed as to how firm the commitment was to any particular opening act. And, although I have the greatest respect for Aimee as a writer and performer, I thought it might not be the best matchup in terms of musical style."
Yesterday (March 16), Mann shared the news in a four-panel comic illustration posted to her Instagram with the caption "Bummer."
The full text of the comic reads:
I was supposed to open for Steely Dan this summer. I just found out that they took me off the bill. No one is entirely sure why, but it seems they thought their audience wouldn't like a female singer-songwriter? As it happens, Steely Dan is the one band that I 100% love, with no reservations, so it really sucks. But you know what? People are allowed to not like you, for whatever reason. Good luck to all bands.
Steely Dan's website shows Snarky Puppy listed as the sole opening act on their upcoming dates, with the ensemble and Mann having been announced as the special guests just last month after Steve Winwood dropped out. The North American tour was initially announced back at the beginning of 2020, then postponed until 2021 and then — you know the drill — postponed again.
As press began picking up the story, Mann offered further commentary on Twitter, writing: "All is forgiven if Donald [Fagen] just tells me what Brooklyn is about."
The (female) singer-songwriter is embarking on a US headlining tour of her own in April and May in support of her 10th studio album, last year's Queens of the Summer Hotel.
See Mann's Instagram post below.
Historically, Steely Dan have not been shy about firing people — even Don Henley.
