Dean Parks’ tenure as a guitarist for Steely Dan showcased his impeccable musicianship and keen ear for melody. With his soulful guitar lines and impeccable sense of timing, Parks contributed to the band's studio recordings, adding depth and richness to their meticulously crafted compositions.
His versatile playing style allowed him to seamlessly transition between genres, from rock and jazz to pop and blues, making him an invaluable asset to the Steely Dan sonic palette. He even did some pedal steel.
Other Sessions
Beyond his work with the band, Dean did extensive session work with artists such as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Madonna has solidified his reputation as one of the most sought-after guitarists in the industry.
Discography: To check out his impressive discography click here
Steely tracks he played on include “Josie”, “Haitian Divorce”, “Deacon Blues”, “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number”
Quotes
He once said on a documentary about Donald Fagen and Walter Becker…
‘If things weren’t going right for Donald and Walter in the studio, you‘d come back the next day and they didn’t just have a new guitarist, they would have a whole new band!
On Becker and Fagen…
‘They were highbrow to say the least, there were no fart jokes on their sessions!
Dean Parks ratings
Songs: Rose Darling, Nightfly, Haitian Divorce
Gear: Gibson ES-335