The Metal Leg Archives

From 1987 through 1994, diehard Steely Dan fans turned to a small fanzine called Metal Leg for information about Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. Published first by England's Brian Sweet (who went on to write the unofficial band biography Steely Dan: Reelin' In The Years) and later by New Yorkers Pete Fogel and Bill Pascador, Metal Leg set high standards by providing solid information without resorting to papparazi-style tactics.

Now, for the first time, with the cooperation of Pete Fogel, the Metal Leg archives are being published on the World Wide Web. Enjoy the archives!

--John Granatino


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Issue

Contents

1
April 1987
Introduction
1972 interview with Chris Van Ness
Part one of a 1977 interview on KPFK radio
Part one of list of records involving Becker/Fagen/Katz
Feature on Rosie Vela
2
July 1987
Introduction
Part two of list of records involving Becker/Fagen/Katz
Part two of a 1977 interview on KPFK radio
Overview of Steely Dan singles
3
Oct. 1987
Introduction
Feature on You Gotta Walk It film
Part three of a 1977 interview on KPFK radio
Short on an unauthorized album
Donald Fagen on Henry Mancini's "anomie deluxe"
4
Feb. 1988
Introduction
Sun Mountain/Berry Town
Your Mother Wouldn't Like It
Lyrics to The Second Arrangement
Crossword puzzle
5
April 1988
Introduction
Outre Daniel Update
Donald Fagen interview with Charlie Gillett
Review of bootleg Bent Over Backwards
Lyrics to Century's End
Audiophile issues
Letters
6
July 1988
Introduction
Interview records
Short takes
7
Oct. 1988
Introduction
News notes
Short takes
Donald Fagen interview on BBC Rock Hour
Donald Fagen interview with Mary Turner
Review of Hoops McCann Band
Review of New Frontier video
8
Jan. 1989
Introduction and news notes
Steely Dan Live
Readers' Top Ten
Sunday Night
Album Rundown
Hoops McCann Band Live
Beau Bolero
9
April 1989
Introduction and news notes
Meaning of lyrics, in their own words
Reviews of Pretzel Logic and Katy Lied
Crossword puzzle
10
July 1989
Introduction and news notes
China Crisis interview, Part One
Roger Nichols interview
Royal Scam/Aja reviews
Short takes
11
October 1989
Introduction and news notes
China Crisis interview, Part Two
Review of New York Soul, 9/20/89
WNEW-FM interview with Donald Fagen
13
July 1990
Editor's note
Hades set list, 5/15/90
Critics review show at Beacon, 4/4/90
Donald Fagen on NY jazz scene
Becker/Fagen interview in Sounds, 10/77
Crawdaddy review of Aja, 12/77
"Psychological profile" of Donald Fagen
14
Fall 1990
Editor's note
News notes
Michael Franks and Walter Becker
Walter Becker interview, winter 1989
Becker comments on various songs
Fagen guests on "Desert Island Discs," 4/90
Billboard review, 8/24/90
Letters to the editor
15
Winter 1991
Editor's note
I Got The News (index and notes)
Jim Hodder: A Look Back
Radio interview with Red Beard, 11/89
Review of CBAT from Rolling Stone
Guitarist Steve Khan checks in
Q&A with Steve Khan on "Gaucho"

16
Vol. 5 No. 2

Editor's Note
I Got The News
"Metal Leg": The TV Show
Larry Carlton on Steely Dan
Larry Carlton biography
"Gaucho"-era interview with the Dan
Letters 1977 review trashing "Aja"
17
Vol. 5 No. 3

Editor's Note
I've Got The News
Profile of sideman Denny McDermott
Profile of sideman Bob Smith
Interview with Gary Katz
1988 guest DJ stint by W&D
Interview from EQ with Roger Nichols
Interviews with 3 session men
Babs and Willie on a quest
Letters to the editor

18
Vol. 5 No. 4
April 1992

Editor's Note
I Got The News
Walter Becker Interview on CD101.9
Donald Fagen Interview on WNEW
Reviews of a Night to Remember
A conversation with Dinky Dawson
Dick Cromelin puts foot in mouth
A CD Scandal: MCA screws up
The meaning of "Haitian Divorce" (Plus a recipe)
Letters
Lyrics to Kulee Baba

19
Vol 6 No. 1
July 1992

Editor's Note
I Got The News
Elliot Randall Interview
"Thrillin' Liner Notes"
Reviews: The Last Three
Dan Promo Sheet
Harvey Brooks Interview
Chuck Jackson
Walter Becker Interview
Ladies Like It Too

20
January 1993
Editor's Note
I Got The News
Jeff Porcaro tribute
Gary Katz on Porcaro
On Tour with the NY Rock & Soul Revue
Notes from The Road, by Pete Fogel
Letters

21
April 1993

Editor's Note
I Got The News
Donald Fagen talks
Donald Fagen, Please Come Home!
Roger Nichols interview
Inside the Nightfly sessions: Daniel Lazerus interview
Joe Sample interview
Letters

22
August 1993
Editor's Note
I Got The News
The Songs of Kamakiriad
D.F.'s new sincerity
Accolades for Kamakiriad
"A critic grabs us"
Tour flashback
Christopher Parker talks
Lost Tribe interview
Letters
24
May 1994
Introduction
News notes
Donald Fagen Words & Music
Feature on Fagen instructional video
Interview with Becker from Jazziz
Feature on Becker project for kids
1994 review of European Dan release
Lengthy feature on Rosie Vela
Donald Fagen on pivotal records in his life
Credits for Issue 24

25
August 1994

Editor's Note
I Got The News
Georg Wadenius interview
"Reelin' In The Years" book excerpts
The Dead Band Society
"Woodstock Warren" Bernhardt
Classic Tracks
Letters


Sending thanks:

To Pete Fogel for permission to make Metal Leg available here
To Jim McKay for permission to reprint articles from his great site
To Tom Cornwell for the brainstorm and original copies
To Eric Meier for graphic blandishments

--JG
Last modified on 2/8/2003