Rickie Lee Jones, whose album Flying Cowboys was produced by Becker, recalled her long friendship with him in an editorial she wrote for Rolling Stone. In 1985, he briefly became a member of the English band China Crisis, producing and playing synthesizer on their album Flaunt the Imperfection. The best Aussie MasterChef contestants of all time! Neighbours revival cast: Who will be in the new season? Rolling Stone's obituary quotes him this way: "People can sort of listen to (Steely Dan) at whatever level. Pretzel Logic (1974) was the first Steely Dan album to feature Becker on guitar. [39] The term was later adapted as Gear Acquisition Syndrome in online forums and music magazines. At the time of his death, no cause or other details were announced, but a statement released in November by Beckers widow, Delia Becker, detailed his struggle with the disease. I learned music from a book on piano theory. For me, touring is the only way to make a living,' Fagen told the Wall Street Journal. It seemed to have come out of nowhere and had spread with terrifying speed. Outside Steely Dan, Becker recorded and performed in recent years with the singer-songwriters Krishna Das, Rebecca Pidgeon and Madeleine Peyroux. 2023 Paste Media Group. He met Fagen at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, and the two played in a series of unsuccessful bands including the Leather Canary. Walter Becker, guitarist, bassist and co-founder of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inducted band Steely Dan, died Sunday at the age of 67. In September, the world lost Walter Becker, co-founder, guitarist, bassist and co-songwriter of Steely Dan, but no cause of death was given at the time. Walter Becker 's widow, Delia Becker, has released a personal statement regarding the Steely Dan co-founder's death in September. Becker released two solo albums 11 Tracks of Whack (1994) and Circus Money (2008). [13] He also produced albums for Michael Franks and John Beasley. In 1984 Becker married Elinor Roberta Meadows, a yoga teacher, and the couple had two children, including adopted daughter Sayan. Not harsh, but they set the bar high.". It was with this 'enlarged band' concept, they released their best selling album Aja in 1977,their first platinum album which sold more than five million copies worldwide. In 1984 Becker married Elinor Roberta Meadows, a yoga teacher, and the couple had two children,[40] including adopted daughter Sayan. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. Walter Becker's adopted daughter Sayan has written a loving tribute to her father, the co-founder of Steely Dan, who passed away on Sunday, aged 67. 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For me personally, his death was a devastating blow, as I know it was for many of you. "[8] They formed the band Leather Canary, which included fellow student Chevy Chase on drums. Inkeeping with his wishes, he was cremated without ceremony or memorial in New York City. Family and friends can send flowers and condolences in memory of the loved one. Where are the cast of Paper Giants today? After starting out on saxophone, he switched to guitar and received instruction in blues technique from neighbor Randy California, who later formed the band Spirit. Becker re-teamed with Fagen for the album Two Against Nature, released in 2000, which took the Grammy award for Album of the Year. [46] At the time of his death, no cause or other details were announced,[13] but a statement released in November by Becker's widow, Delia Becker, detailed his struggle with the disease. The guitarist passed away on September 3at the age of 67, with a cause of death not confirmed at the time. Becker and Fagen wrote together and recorded together. He just ran out of time much sooner than any of us thought possible. The band drifted after the release of 1980's "Gaucho," regularly citing fatigue, personal disagreements and drug abuse, but reunited in 1993. The band later recorded another studio album, Everything Must Go, with Becker making his Steely Dan lead vocal debut on the track Slang of Ages in 2003. In 2000 they released Two Against Nature, their first album of new material in twenty years. Fagen paid tribute to his bandmate as 'an excellent guitarist and a great songwriter.'. He was struck by a taxi in 1979 and was confined to a wheelchair for a time, while falling prey to drug addiction. As Walter Beckers wife of many years, I wanted to share with his fans some information regarding his death that has not previously been reported. They were then prevented from releasing an album for the next two years after MCA prevented them from switching labels to Warner Bros. See the best pics of Mia, Ava and Cruz, Dad's doppelganger! As Walter Beckers wife of many years, I wanted to share with his fans some information regarding his death that has not previously been reported. So in 1975, Becker and Fagen created an early 'supergroup', featuring performances from the likes of The Doobie Brothers'Michael McDonald,Toto's Jeff Porcaro and the Eagles' Timothy B. Schmit. Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. Famously known by the Family name Walter Becker, was a great musician, songwriter, and record producer. The guitarists Denny Dias and Jeff Skunk Baxter rounded out the bands first line-up, alongside the drummer Jim Hodder. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. "Pretzel Logic" became the band's first album to reach the top 10 in the U.S., its success fueled heavily by the single "Rikki Don't Lose That Number," a tune that documents an overly confident, arguably delusional and likely ill-advised romantic pursuit. Its important to me, as it was to Walter, that you allknow he never intended to keep anyone in the dark about his condition. Musicians such as Julian Lennon, Steve Lukather, and John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats made public statements mourning Beckers death. Donald Fagen Discusses the Loss of Walter Becker and Steely Dan's Future. [23] Becker produced Rickie Lee Jones's album Flying Cowboys and played bass on the main title track co-written by Pascal Nabet Meyer,[24] which was certified gold by the RIAA in 1997. In an interview many years later, Fagen said, "I hear this guy practicing, and it sounded very professional and contemporary. Becker and Fagen began collaborating as students at New York's Bard College, writing hits for other artists, including Barbra Streisand's 'I Mean to Shine', before the pair moved to California in the early Seventies to form Steely Dan - named after a sex toy in cult classic Naked Lunch, written by William S. Burroughs. [42][5], Becker was also married to Delia Cioffi and Juanna Fatouros. Becker and Fagen were often a study in contrasts themselves. Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker died on September 3rd due to complications from treatment for advanced stages of esophageal cancer The news was revealed on Thursday by his widow, Delia. ("Guitar Acquisition Syndrome"), denoting the uncontrolled accumulation of music gear. After a brief period of activity in New York City, the two moved to Los Angeles in 1971 and formed the nucleus of Steely Dan, which enjoyed a critically and commercially successful ten-year career. Scroll Down and find everything about him. At the time of his death, he was 67 years old. . For 1975's "Katy Lied," for instance, the act underwent significant lineup shifts and the work was the first to high-light Michael McDonald, who would later go on to fame with the Doobie Brothers, as a vocalist on a Steely Dan album. Ariel Zilber For Dailymail.com 'In keeping with his wishes, he was cremated without ceremony or memorial in New York City. , updated Donald Fagen is suing the estate of Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker over what he claims is an unlawful attempt to wrest control of the group in the wake of . Fagan also previously demonstrated the dedication he has to Steely Dan fans in the touching statement he wrote about his departed bandmate, saying, I intend to keep the music we created together alive as long as I can with the Steely Dan band. He made good on that promise, and recently finished up a tour in October. Becker ceased using drugs,[18][19][20] stopped smoking and drinking,[21] and became an "avocado rancher and self-styled critic of the contemporary scene. In 1984 Becker married Elinor Roberta Meadows, a yoga teacher, and the couple had two children, including adopted daughter Sayan. At the time of his death he survived by his large extended friends and family. Fagen played keyboards and sang, while Becker played bass guitar. He was cynical about human nature, including his own, and hysterically funny.. Understandably, Walter wanted privacy during the course of his illness and he hoped for recovery. However, in a letter to Steely Dan's fans, Becker's widow Delia . All Rights Reserved. "Once I met (session musician) Chuck Rainey", he explained, "I felt there really was no need for me to be bringing my bass guitar to the studio anymore". Times in 1994. You do a lot of that, as a Steely Dan fan, pining. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. now? [6] After starting out on saxophone, he switched to guitar and received instruction in blues technique from neighbor Randy California, who later formed the band Spirit. Read Delia Beckers letter in full below (via Rolling Stone), beneath a 1974 Steely Dan performance from the Paste Cloud, and read Pastes tribute to the late Walter Becker here. We were quantum criminals, he joked of the accident, in which his right leg was fractured in several places. It sounded like, you know, like a black person, really. [1] [2] Becker met future songwriting partner Donald Fagen while they were students at Bard College. He was born on February 20, 1950, in Queens, New York, U.S.. New York is a beautiful and populous city located in Queens, New York, U.S. United States of America. Today, months after Beckers death, his wife Delia shared a letter to Steely Dan fans revealing the illness he succumbed to: an extremely aggressive form of esophageal cancer.. He was best known as the co-founder, guitarist, bassist, and co-songwriter of the jazz rock band Steely Dan. [26] In 1991, Becker appeared in Fagen's New York Rock and Soul Revue. Walter Becker and bandmate Donald Fagen wrote some of the 1970s biggest hits, including 'Rikki Don't Lose that Number', 'Do It Again' and 'Reelin' in the Years'. The following year Stanleys mother attempted to sue Becker for $17m, claiming that he had introduced her daughter to cocaine, morphine, heroin and barbiturates. However, Fagens Kamakiriad (1993), produced by Becker, was preceded as a solo album by The Nightfly (1982), produced by Gary Katz. Where are the cast of Here Comes The Habibs! We play rock & roll, but we swing when we play. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) By Chris Willman . Seemingly needing a break from the entertainment world, Becker stopped using drugs and became an avocado farmer and cattle rancher, although he still had a small recording studio overlooking the ocean. Rickie Lee Jones, whose album Flying Cowboys was produced by Becker, recalled her long friendship with him in an editorial she wrote for Rolling Stone. A letter to Steely Dan 2008 ) including adopted daughter Sayan whatever level family! [ 5 ], Becker was also married to Delia Cioffi and Juanna.. 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