Don Henley of the Eagles almost appeared on Steely Dan’s 1977 hit ‘Peg’ before he was fired, according to the band’s producer Gary Katz.
In a new interview, Katz, who besides being Steely Dan’s longtime producer has also worked with the likes of Diana Ross, 10cc and The Mamas & The Papas, talked about the creative process behind the band’s most recognisable hit.
“In the chorus, the backgrounds are sort of the lead,” Katz told Ultimate Classic Rock. “It wasn’t like a [usual] background part.”
As Steely Dan were putting the track together, Katz and the band’s frontman Donald Fagen discussed how they “both liked Henley’s singing” and decided to bring him in with Linda Ronstadt to track some vocals for the song.
“So, I called Irving [Azoff, the Eagles and Steely Dan’s manager]… Linda wasn’t feeling well, so Nicolette Larson came.”
