Eminent Hipsters

By: Donald Fagen

Narrated by: Donald Fagen

A witty, revealing, sharply written work of memoir and criticism by the cofounder of Steely Dan

Musician and songwriter Donald Fagen presents a group of vivid set pieces in his entertaining debut as an author, from portraits of the cultural figures and currents that shaped him as a youth to an account of his college days and of life on the road.

Fagen begins by introducing the “eminent hipsters” that spoke to him as he was growing up in a bland New Jersey suburb in the early 1960s, among them Jean Shepherd, whose manic nightly broadcasts out of WOR-Radio “enthralled a generation of alienated young people”; Henry Mancini, whose swank, noirish soundtracks left their mark on him; and Mort Fega, the laid-back, knowledgeable all-night jazz man at WEVD who was like “the cool uncle you always wished you had.” He writes of how, coming of age during the paranoid Cold War era, one of his primary doors of escape became reading science fiction, and of his invigorating trips into New York City to hear jazz. “Class of ’69” recounts Fagen’s colorful, mind-expanding years at Bard College, the progressive school north of New York City, where he first met his future musical partner Walter Becker. “With the Dukes of September” offers a cranky, hilarious account of the ups and downs of a recent cross-country tour Fagen made with Boz Scaggs and Michael McDonald, performing a program of old R&B and soul tunes as well as some of their own hits.

Acclaimed for the elaborate arrangements and jazz harmonies of his songs, Fagen proves himself a sophisticated writer with a very distinctive voice in this engaging book.

Critic reviews

Praise for Eminent Hipsters

“[An] excellent. . . and satisfying memoir. This is less about Fagen’s career than about his tastes. . .He writes insightfully about music, films, and books. . .with this remorseless, hilarious book, Fagen reveals himself as a first-class grump. . . Eminent Hipsters is also a convincing testimonial to the honing effect of a lifelong devotion to the culture of misfits, weirdos and cranks.”—Rolling Stone

“Fagen is utterly charming when he describes other performers. . .he defends TV and film composer Henry Mancini from charges of fuddy-duddyness. . . his essay on Connie Boswell is the kind of top-notch, incisive cultural critique you ain’t gonna get from the likes of Keith Richards. Just like the lyrics he penned for the Dan, Fagen’s writing here is charged with a zingy, acerbic intelligence.”—Slate.com

“As you would expect from someone who has been one of the most consistently sardonic voices of rock, Fagen can write.”—GQ.com

Good origin story

Probably need to be a big Steely Dan fan or music history buff to find it compelling or really love...but that's me. Cheers, Donald. Glad you wrote and read this.

Not Just for Steely Dan Fans

Remember when you were a kid and you discovered something so secret and cool you knew no friend of yours could possibly know about it yet? That's what I am feeling as I enjoy this book, read by the author. It is hysterical.

Mr Fagen is as gifted a writer as he is as the leader and main writer in Steely Dan. Incrediblly literate and truthful. Wonderful

As I say in the heading it is Not just for Steely Dan fans!

Pure Fagan

If you like Donald Fagan, you’ll like this book. If you don’t know him, buckle up.

Loved it.....mostly

Very slow start but I'm glad I stuck with it. I truly enjoyed it.

Must-listen for Steely Dan or Donald Fagen fans

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you've ever wondered about Donald Fagan or Steely Dan's origins, this is the book for you! The fact that it is narrated by Fagen himself is a major bonus. While some might not care for the sound of his voice or his laconic manner, I found it to be integral to enjoying the text.

Fagen was born just a few years before me, but the touchpoints of his youth resonated with me. Listening to a transistor radio, transitioning through listening to different styles of music, etc.

As a former performing musician myself, I enjoyed hearing his tales of life on the road -- the good and the bad... well, mostly the bad. But even the bad is funny the way he tells it. Any musician who aspires to be famous enough to tour for a living (or whatever reason) should certainly listen to Fagen's story before getting too excited about what awaits them on the road.

What did you like best about this story?

The scope, from youth to Steely Dan reunion tours, and told by the man himself.

Have you listened to any of Donald Fagen’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I'd only heard his music (recordings, radio, one live concert in 2013) and one radio interview. All great stuff, but don't pass over this audiobook.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened while commuting. Most audiobooks are way too long to even contemplate sitting or even listening to for 10-30 hours.

Any additional comments?

Buy this audiobook!