Johnny Fannon Blows Away The Argyle Crowd With Steely Dan Tribute Band

On Friday, June 21, 2024 the Argyle Theatre in Babylon Village presented the beloved Steely Dan Tribute Band, “Steelin' in the Years.” This particular tribute band was founded by Johnny Fannon, an iconic Long Islander. The show ended with the whole robust crowd on their feet howling. The over two-hour show was a triumph with many newcomers experiencing the intimate coziness of the historic Argyle Theater for the first time. The huge comfortable seats along with the phenomenal sight lines and acoustics makes this venue a tabernacle for live performing arts.

The show included 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." A highlight of the show had to be when the band performed a rowdy version of “Babylon Sisters” for the Babylon crowd. Folks were dancing in the aisles.

The success of the show centered around the singing prowess and showmanship of Johnny Fannon, the lead vocalist and front man for the band. He gyrated, pulsated, and boogied. His high energy presence owned the crowd with his infectious charm and personality. Make no mistake about it Johnny Fannon has world class pipes with a great powerful range.

Contributing to the success of the evening was the delightful vocalist Pam Dixon. She grooved and moved to the music along with soloing on a few numbers with her soothing, soulful voice. She has a Stevie Nicks quality and just added so much to the show.

Speaking of adding “so much” to the show, Colleen Farquhar received cheers all night for her epic powerhouse saxophone solos. It was her first live performance with the band, she is a ticket all in herself. She also added vocals and in numbers without a sax was a percussionist.

During the show Fannon mention he has been playing with Billy Milne who is the band's drummer for twenty-six years. Milne is a drummer perhaps from the Ringo Starr school with brilliant and powerful fill-ins and complementary vocals. Accomplished keyboardist and vocalist Richard Forman had moments throughout the show especially with wonderful chemistry playing with Colleen Farquhar.

Kevin “Abe” Barry was steady on guitar with a wonderful “right hand,” the hand most often overlooked when talking about guitar prowess. Speaking of prowess, a band cannot do Steely Dan music without a world class lead guitarist and Mike Young is that kind of a gifted guitarist. His fluid lead lines brought home the true Steely Dan sound. As did the special talented bassist Jay Sepe, who although a low-key magician on bass did bop up to the front and show off his talent and skills.

To sum up the night’s success one might say “Steelin' in the Years,” is more than a Steely Dan Tribute Band. Based on the show they performed at the Argyle Theatre in Babylon Village they are a guaranteed good evening of the highest level of tight musicianship and pure entertainment. The band’s individual talents blended into one of those rare circumstances with the sum of the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts.

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