The five musicians who saw Steely Dan as the true "American Beatles"

Few bands have managed to reach Steely Dan's level of musical sophistication. Formed by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, the duo built a discography marked by complex arrangements, intelligent lyrics and an almost obsessive perfectionism in the studio. These characteristics led several artists to see the group as a kind of American equivalent of the Beatles. Among the musicians who have shown deep admiration for Steely Dan are Elvis Costello, Rickie Lee Jones, Questlove, Michael McDonald and Ben Folds. Each of them highlighted different aspects of the band's work. Elvis Costello has always praised Becker and Fagen's ability to combine musical sophistication with accessibility. Questlove often cites the group as one of the biggest influences on his understanding of music production and composition. Michael McDonald has an even more direct connection with the history of Steely Dan. The singer participated in several of the band's recordings during the 1970s, contributing backing vocals to some of the group's best-known songs. Ben Folds, in turn, has stated several times his admiration for the elaborate harmonies and unconventional structures of the duo's compositions. The comparison with the Beatles arises because both groups managed to combine enormous artistic quality and commercial success. Just as the British revolutionized rock in the 1960s, Steely Dan helped raise the level of sophistication of rock and jazz-rock during the following decade. Decades after the end of its classic phase, the band's influence continues to be evident in artists of different styles, consolidating its place among the most respected names in popular music.