# Who is the redhead singer on Do It Again? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [August 24, 2023, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-redhead-singer-on-do-it-again/989055 "2023-08-24T22:29:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-redhead-singer-on-do-it-again/989055/21 "2023-08-26T21:29:33Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > They’re not bongos, they’re congas !! So it’s just size (and technique) that’s different. Ignorance fought! For some reason I thought congas were only called that when strapped around the shoulder like Ricky Ricardo played Babaloo on - and of course they are. Bongos are little wimpy things: From National Lampoons _That’s Not Funny, That’s Sick_ (Bill Murray and Christopher Guest) > Mr Roberts: We’re going to talk about your bass and how big it is, and things like that. It looks like a violin, but it’s bigger, isn’t it? > Billy Bob: It’s a hell of a lot bigger > Mr Roberts: Can you say … > Billy Bob: Violin’s a little wimpy thing ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-redhead-singer-on-do-it-again/989055/22 "2023-08-26T22:29:06Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Yeah, that’s kind of weird because in the studio recording the dominant voice is obviously Fagens. Was he unable to duplicate his singing live or is there some other reason Palmer is out front? From the **Can’t Buy A Thrill** liner notes: > _…So, when certain executives at ABC started pestering us about “the tour” - we were already halfway through with the recording of the first album - it came as a surprise to us that we were now expected to go out and perform in public. The surprise was not a good surprise, especially for Donald, who had reluctantly agreed to be the band’s lead vocalist for the purposes of recording but who was essentially terrified of singing in public and thus somewhat reluctant to be pressed into service as the frontman for a touring rock band. That’s when the Skunk called his chum David Palmer, and Dave came out from New Jersey to try out for the job. Luckily, the tracks for “Dirty Work” and “Brooklyn” were in his key, more or less._ ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2023, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-redhead-singer-on-do-it-again/989055/23 "2023-08-27T19:25:51Z")
Thanks. I’m not a big Steely Dan fan, so I didn’t know _Do It Again_ was from their debut album. It’s kind of incredible, really. The sound is so polished and assured. Did Fagen get over his stage fright eventually? ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2023, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-redhead-singer-on-do-it-again/989055/24 "2023-08-27T20:51:22Z")
From what I’ve read, I don’t think Fagen has ever been completely comfortable with his role as a lead singer. He told one interviewer, “I just do it without thinking.” ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-redhead-singer-on-do-it-again/989055/25 "2023-08-28T04:36:49Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > From what I’ve read, I don’t think Fagen has ever been completely comfortable with his role as a lead singer. It’s a substantial part of the reason they hardly ever toured as time went on, ultimately alienating folks like Jeff Baxter who enjoyed performing on stage. I’d say most rock musicians seem to get their biggest charge from live performances and that can also be a substantial source of revenue. Particularly with tour merchandise like t-shirts, which is what tends to fund bands that aren’t big sellers (like most punk acts). But there are always that minority who hate performing live. Andy Partridge of XTC is another good example. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-redhead-singer-on-do-it-again/989055.md?page=1)