Scott Fagan, born on August 26, 1945, in New York, NY, is an American singer/songwriter and playwright known for his work in the psych-folk and folk-rock genres. He is the father of Stephin Merritt, the mastermind behind the Magnetic Fields. Fagan's early life was spent in the Virgin Islands, where he was raised in an arts colony by his mother, a dancer, and his father, a saxophonist.

In the mid-1960s, Fagan began performing around the United States, even sharing the stage with Jimi Hendrix on occasion. He caught the attention of Doc Pomus, a renowned songwriter, and together they penned "I'm Gonna Cry 'Til My Tears Run Dry," later recorded by Linda Ronstadt. Fagan's talents led him to Columbia Records and collaborations with Burt Berns. Although he was considered by Apple Records, he ultimately signed with Atco Records, which released his debut album, "South Atlantic Blues," in 1967. Despite its lack of mainstream success, the album gained a cult following and inspired artwork by Jasper Johns.

Fagan's next major project was the 1971 Broadway rock musical "Soon," which critiqued the music industry. Despite featuring a talented cast, the show closed after just three performances. He released a second album, "Many Sunny Places," in 1975, but it did not achieve commercial success. Fagan later returned to the Virgin Islands.

In 2000, it was revealed that Fagan was the father of Stephin Merritt. The two met for the first time in 2013, and Fagan expressed interest in recording an album of his son's songs, although the project was shelved due to funding issues. In 2015, "South Atlantic Blues" was reissued by Saint Cecilia Knows, bringing renewed attention to Fagan's work.