First Dan show without WB

I understand what you are all saying...the music and wonderful performances will continue. But for me, SD without Walter - my heart just isn't into it. There was something special about seeing the creator: the author of those incredible lyrics and superfine sound. It's diminished without his presence.

Donald went on record just after Walter passed away, stating that if he had his way, when he took the band out on tour he would prefer it to be called something like "Donald Fagen and the Steely Dan band". He agreed with everything you guys are saying. It was the promoters who basically told him it's going to be called Steely Dan or we're not interested. So his hands were tied if he wanted to tour with this band and make some money. And, knowing what I do about his relationship with Walter, I believe him. I will still go to see them when the opportunity presents itself, just because I love the music, they still sound great, and you never know when it will be the last time. I wish Walter was still there, but this is what we're left with, for better or for worse.

Since we're being honest and all, I don't have any desire to see SD w/out WB. Just my opinion but since there were only 2 people making SD music either in studio or live, maybe call it something else.

...actually I'm not 100% sure it was used for the trumpet, but they used the head height mic for introductions

I went to see SD in February this year in Birmingham and there was two microphones set up next to Jon Herrington, one set up low for the horn solos and one at head height which was used for the trumpet solo (?) and for introducing the members of the band towards the end by Jon Herrington and Michael Leonhart. I'm fairly sure that Walter's set up was further back than this. The media picked up on the empty mic nod to Walter, but I'm not convinced..

Great concert, but I had a lump in my throat throughout. My 18 year old son enjoyed the concert but wished Walter had been there.

There were two mics between Donald and Jon Herrrington. One was used by horn players and Donald, I don't think the one closer to Herrington was used at all. It was never acknowledged. The only mention of WB was during Donald's intro to FM.

I went to the show outside Indy in Noblesville, Indiana Sunday night (then drove back home and, 3.5 hours of sleep later, went to work the next morning....). It was very entertaining, but also extremely bittersweet. Walter's personality and wit and guitar playing was such a huge part of the experience, and now it's gone. It was just hard to process, I kept waiting for him to stroll across the stage as the first song was finishing up.

From what I could tell from my seats, there was a large mic set up in between Jon and Donald used exclusively for horn solos, and next to that was a vocal mic that mostly sat unused, but Donald actually used it whenever he got up from the Rhodes on songs where he played melodica.

Regarding the empty mic stand -- I've heard this several times. But there always was a mic stand right next to Walter's, and it was for the few times when a horn player stepped up for a solo - e.g., Michael for Dirty Work, Roger for ...I forget. and of course Walt for Aja. So, for instance, Does Walt W use that mic for his Aja solo? Or is there a horn solo mic that is really in addition to another one that remains unused all night? Without going into details, I find it relatively hard to believe that a tribute to Walter, if any, would take that form. Just wondering. Fuuture attendees...?