To Dan Or Not To Dan.

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Found out today Steely Dan will be in town at the Venetian while I'm in Vegas. I could see them either on the Wednesday before my birthday or the Friday after.

A bit torn by this. They are one of my fave bands by far, but Dan was always Donald and Walter...with Walter gone now I wonder if it would be the same seeing them without him. I have no doubt the music would be the same high quality, but I'm wondering if it would feel slightly funereal, like watching the Beatles without George and John.

As I get older this is a dilemma for a lot of the old bands I grew up with. Most of the 70's and 80's bands I came up with have now lost members either through death or through legal wrangling and the like. That was one reason I was so jazzed to see the Fixx last summer as it was the intact, original lineup. 

I mean, I've always thought the whole "replace a major band member with someone new" reeked of desperation. Queen can tour successfully without Freddy or Journey without Steve or Foreigner without Lou but is it really Queen or Journey or Foreigner? Would Steely Dan be? Is the nostalgia value gained from seeing one of my favorite bands live worth it even though literally half the band is dead?

I may go ahead and get a ticket despite my misgivings. The tix aren't overly pricey (I can get in the balcony for around $70) and it would give me something to focus in on for one of the 3 nights. If it was a longer trip it would be a no-brainer. I would just hate to get there and feel like I'm breaking away from a great short trip to fulfill a ticket obligation, but on the other hand I may never have a chance to see the Dan in any form again, Donald's not exactly a spring chicken either.

I have a couple days to decide - will update.

UPDATE: Decided to go for it. Will see the first show from the close balcony. Should be a good experience. For sure the musicianship will be high. It'll keep me out of the bars for a couple hours too on the 1st full day in town. 

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