Assholes, a Dildo, Members, and a Birthday

In the summer of 1970, Denny Dias, an American guitarist and founding member of Steely Dan, placed an ad in The Village Voice that read: "Looking for keyboardist and bassist. Must have jazz chops! Assholes need not apply".

Donald Fagen and the late Walter Becker replied to the ad. The two men, along with Dias, went on to form the core of the successful and critically acclaimed jazz-rock group, Steely Dan, which they named after a strap-on dildo from the novel, Naked Lunch.

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By 1974, a rift had developed between members of the band. Fagen and Becker were tired of touring and wanted to focus entirely on writing and recording. Other members, such as guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and drummer Jim Hodder, wanted to continue touring and they eventually left the group.

Dias continued to work with Fagen-Becker as a session guitarist for several more years. Since then, he has performed with other bands and artists as well as his own group, Denny Dias and Friends.

Also, Denny Dias turns 74 years old today. Happy birthday to Mr. Dias.

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"Reelin' In the Years" (1972) – Steely Dan