Aimee Mann claims Steely Dan dropped her from tour because fans 'wouldn't like a female singer-songwriter'
Acclaimed musician Aimee Mann posted a four-panel illustration on her Instagram on Wednesday, March 16, that reportedly announced that she was dropped from her opening slot from rock band Steely Dan’s summer tour.
“It seems like they thought their audience wouldn’t like a female singer-songwriter?” Mann wrote in the comic and added, “As it happens, Steely Dan is the one band that I 100% love, with no reservations, so it really sucks."
The full text of the comic posted on Instagram reads, “I was supposed to open for Steely Dan this summer. I just found out that they took me off the bill. No one is entirely sure why, but it seems they thought their audience wouldn’t like a female singer-songwriter? As it happens, Steely Dan is the one band that I 100% love, with no reservations, so it really sucks. But you know what? People are allowed to not like you, for whatever reason.”
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Mann concluded her paneled strip by saying, “Good luck to all bands”. The 61-year-old singer very recently opened up about her admiration for Steely Dan. “I feel like people have a serious damage and then I always relate to that.” she told Forbes last fall.
The iconic rock band is yet to react to the news. Although the official website for Steely Dan no longer mentions Mann as the opening act of their spring/summer 2022 show. After Steve Winwood dropped out, Mann and Snarky Puppy were announced as openers for the show last month; but now the tour dates only mention Snarky Puppy as the opening act on Steely Dan’s website.
Mann also posted the comic strip on Twitter with the caption: “This was actually part of a comic I posted on Instagram:” Aimee confirmed on Twitter that she won’t be hitting the road with Steely Dan, adding that she has got another previously scheduled tour that is kicking off in April.
This was actually part of a comic I posted on Instagram: https://t.co/GUkcq9TLDZ pic.twitter.com/mxCPEKYT1b
— Aimee Mann (@aimeemann) March 17, 2022
Star singer Jason Isbell reposted the news of Steely Dan’s alleged dropping of Mann from the tour and wrote: “My wife hates Steely Dan. I have discussed that with Aimee Mann, who truly loves Steely Dan. Now I’ll never again try to convince my wife that Steely Dan is good.”
My wife hates Steely Dan. I have discussed that with Aimee Mann, who truly loves Steely Dan. Now I’ll never again try to convince my wife that Steely Dan is good. https://t.co/E1npXodopA
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) March 17, 2022
Apart from Jason many other celebrities and Aimee’s fans didn’t take the news well. Musician Michael Lockwood commented: “That is a giant “Y”. Bummer Pecky”.
Star illustrator Roz Chast wrote, “That is very disappointing. You are the greatest. I love your music so much. They made a stupid decision.” One fan chimed, “Audience would’ve loved you.” “Their loss, big loss,” wrote another.