Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. Ariel Zilber For Dailymail.com 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. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. "[8] They formed the band Leather Canary, which included fellow student Chevy Chase on drums. He was cynical about human nature, including his own, and hysterically funny. Steely Dan broke up and Becker retired to a farm in Hawaii, where eventually he built a recording studio of his own. This groups drummer was Chevy Chase, later a comic actor. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. After Becker's parents separated when he was a boy, his British mother returned to England. Its important to me, as it was to Walter, that you all know he never intended to keep anyone in the dark about his condition. Becker was suffering from "an extremely aggressive form of esophageal cancer". 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. In an interview many years later, Fagen said, "I hear this guy practicing, and it sounded very professional and contemporary. Becker was born in Queens, New York City. In addition to co-writing all of the band's material, Becker played guitar and bass guitar and sang background vocals. Steely Dan recently embarked on their first tour since the death of Becker. 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. Outside Steely Dan, Becker recorded and performed in recent years with the singer-songwriters Krishna Das, Rebecca Pidgeon and Madeleine Peyroux. Walter J. Becker Obituary. Walter Becker, co-founder of Steely Dan, passed away this week at 67. . The cancer was detected during one of his annual medical checkups and its presence came as a grim surprise to Walter, his doctors and to me. Like a lot of kids from fractured families, he had the knack of creative mimicry, reading peoples hidden psychology and transforming what he saw into bubbly, incisive art.. 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 went to Stuyvesant high school, Manhattan, started on the saxophone, turned to the guitar and was taught to play the blues by Randy Wolfe, later famous as Randy California from the band Spirit. Becker, who has died at the age of 67 from an undisclosed illness, was born in the New York borough of Queens. Two months after Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker died unexpectedly on September 3rd, his cause of death remained a mystery. Becker was also married to Delia Cioffi and Juanna Fatouros. Hollywood actress joins the cast of the Neighbours revival. Becker missed a series of Steely Dan concerts in the weeks prior to his death, which his bandmate Donald Fagan attributed to him recovering from a procedure. However, in his wifes statement, she explains that he was actually undergoing an intense regimen of chemotherapy at Sloan Kettering during that time. They followed the album with a tour. It originally said that Walter Becker and Fagen produced each others first solo albums. Thank you, everyone, for helping me and his loved ones know that Walters mark on the world and on all of you will not soon fade. Walter Becker was my friend, my writing partner and my bandmate since we met as students at Bard College in 1967. [1] [2] Becker met future songwriting partner Donald Fagen while they were students at Bard College. 2023 Rolling Stone, LLC. 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. 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. [36], After his death, his gear was auctioned off by Julien's for US$3.3 million in total. Walter Carl Becker (February 20, 1950 September 3, 2017) was an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. In the weeks prior to Beckers death, he missed Steely Dans Classic East and West concerts due to an unspecified ailment. 'When the bottom fell out of the record business a bunch of years ago, it deprived me of the luxury of earning a living from records. He produced albums for the new wave bands Fra Lippo Lippi and China Crisis, and is credited on the latters 1985 album Flaunt the Imperfection as a member of the band. In 1991, Becker appeared in Fagens New York Rock and Soul Revue. Its important to me, as it was to Walter, that you allknow he never intended to keep anyone in the dark about his condition. Becker was made to believe by his father and grandmother that his mother was deceased; however, sometime between his childhood and late adolescence, he discovered that she was living, and he maintained a rocky relationship with her from that point forward. A stint with the pop group Jay and the Americans, with whom Becker performed under the stage name Gus Mahler, eventually led to a position as in-house songwriters at the ABC label in Los Angeles. We were quantum criminals, he joked of the accident, in which his right leg was fractured in several places. At the time of his death he survived by his large extended friends and family. [9] At the time, Chase called the group "a bad jazz band. It was followed by Everything Must Go (2003), and the band were still touring this year, though Becker had to miss concerts in July. The band drifted after the release of 1980's "Gaucho," regularly citing fatigue, personal disagreements and drug abuse, but reunited in 1993. But after their huge success, the band and Becker in particular suffered set back after set back, until they decided to part ways for twenty years. 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, she wrote in a statement provided to Billboard. He was a composer and producer, known for R.I.P.D. 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. Walter Becker's daughter, Sayan Becker, shared a sweet and moving tribute to her father, the late co-founder of Steely Dan. 'Walter Becker was my friend, my writing partner and my bandmate since we met as students at Bard College in 1967,' he wrote in a lengthy statement. No cause of death was announced at the time, though it was known that Becker underwent surgery in August and missed Steely Dan's Classic East and West concerts in July as he recovered from an unspecified ailment. The guitarist passed away on September 3 at the age of 67, with a cause of. But it wasn't until 2000 that they released theirfirst studio album in 20 years: Two Against Nature, which won four Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. He was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2008. Editors picks I was busy dissolving everything else about myself, Becker said, so it seemed the logical extension.. Rolling Stone's obituary quotes him this way: "People can sort of listen to (Steely Dan) at whatever level. It seemed to have come out of nowhere and had spread with terrifying speed. Steely Dan, named after a William Burroughs term for a marital aid in his book "Naked Lunch," was formed in the early '70s, years after Becker and Fagen met at Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y. . He was the co-founder, guitarist, bassist, and co-songwriter of the jazz rock band Steely Dan.[1][2]. 'He just ran out of time much sooner than any of us thought possible,' she said. I am just beginning to emerge from its heartbreaking impact. Walter Becker Net Worth & Basic source of earning was being a successful American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He was seen as one of the most successful musician, songwriter, and record producer of all times. Walter Becker was born on February 20, 1950 in Queens, New York City, New York, USA. Walter Becker 's widow, Delia Becker, has released a personal statement regarding the Steely Dan co-founder's death in September. Becker was one of the most accomplished guitar and bass players of his generation, co-writing songs on Aja such as Peg, Josie and Deacon Blues, the last of which inspired the title of the Scottish band Deacon Blue in the following decade. You can scroll down for information about his Social media profiles. [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. I dont sell enough albums to cover the cost of recording them the way I like to. 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. [39] The term was later adapted as Gear Acquisition Syndrome in online forums and music magazines. Walter Carl Becker (February 20, 1950 - September 3, 2017) was an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. By In keeping with his wishes, he was cremated without ceremony or memorial in New York City. That year saw a shake-up for the band, asDias, Baxter and Hodder all quit - over Becker and Fagen's refusal to tour, according to Becker. In January that year, his girlfriend Karen Stanley died following a drug overdose in his apartment on the Upper West Side. [3] He was raised in Queens and Scarsdale, New York[4] by his father and his grandmother. Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. A judge found in his favour and the case was settled. All Rights Reserved. He just ran out of time much sooner than any of us thought possible. She thanked fans for the tsunami of tributes and remembrances that have poured out since his death. [28] A year later, Fagen co-produced Becker's debut album 11 Tracks of Whack.[29]. This was followed by a deal for their band, Steely Dan, named after a dildo in William Burroughs 1959 novel Naked Lunch. In keeping with his wishes, he was cremated without ceremony or memorial in New York City. They divorced in 1997. Rolling Stone called Becker "a behind-the-scenes maestro," moving to Los Angeles with Fagen in 1971 to work as staff writers for ABC Records. He graduated from Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan in 1967. [34] The songs were inspired by reggae and other styles of Jamaican music. He just ran out of time much sooner than any of us thought possible.. [11], Pretzel Logic (1974) was the first Steely Dan album to feature Becker on guitar. We started writing nutty little tunes on an upright piano in a small sitting. 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. The occasional collaboration aside, Becker and Fagen did not reunite until 1993, when they toured again as Steely Dan and produced solo albums for each other (Beckers 11 Tracks of Whack, 1994, was his first). Following the group's dissolution, Becker moved to Hawaii and reduced his musical activity, working primarily as a record producer. Pretzel Logic is the first of Steely Dan's albums to be recorded with numerous studio musicians and this coincided with Walter Becker dropping bass for guitar. You can also watch Steely Dan perform Book of Liars in memory of Becker here, and listen to what was probably the greatest Steely Dan show ever here. 'His habits got the best of him by the end of the seventies, and we lost touch for a while. Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker has died today at the age of 67, his official site announced. Steely Dan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Once they were recording their own music, their standards were legendary for their height. Its important to me, as it was to Walter, that you all know he never intended to keep anyone in the dark about his condition. They also composed music for the soundtrack to Youve Got to Walk It Like You Talk It or Youll Lose That Beat, a film starring Richard Pryor that was released in 1971. In a long homage published in Rolling Stone,. Explore Walter Becker Wiki Age, Height, Biography as Wikipedia, Wife, Family relation. The troubles began in the late 1970s, when Becker's girlfriend, Karen Roberta Stanley, died of a drug overdose in his apartment on January 30, 1978, resulting in a $17million wrongful death lawsuit against him. 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. On September 3, 2017, Walter Becker died of non-communicable disease. In a statement released to the media the day of Beckers death, Fagen recalled his long-time friend and musical partner as smart as a whip, an excellent guitarist and a great songwriter, and closed by stating that he intended to keep the music we created together alive as long as I can with the Steely Dan band.. In 2000 they released Two Against Nature, their first album of new material in twenty years. The guitarist passed away on September 3at the age of 67, with a cause of death not confirmed at the time. 22:52 BST 16 Nov 2017 The songs were inspired by reggae and other styles of Jamaican music. Becker released two solo albums, 11 Tracks of Whack (1994) and Circus Money (2008). 2023 Billboard Media, LLC. They divorced in 1997. Walter died in the course of being treated for an extremely aggressive form of esophageal cancer. In 2001 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received honorary doctorates from the Berklee College of Music, which they accepted in person. 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. He wanted to be able to return to the stage and once again perform for his fans. Perhaps with age he achieved some sense of perspective. That came from a sex toy mentioned in the novel Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs. I was only interested in knowing about chords. He recorded albums by artists including Rickie Lee Jones, Michael Franks and China Crisis. Walter Becker with Donald Fagen, right, in 1977. were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, a dildo in William Burroughs 1959 novel Naked Lunch, Becker and Fagen did not reunite until 1993. Visit Billboard Pro for music business news, Jamie Foxx Remains Hospitalized a Week After Medical Complication, Bad Bunny Team Clarifies Apparent Harry Styles On-Screen Diss During Coachella HeadliningSet, Justin Bieber Sends Supportive Message to Frank Ocean After Divisive Coachella Set: His Artistry Is Simply Unmatched. He also produced albums for Michael Franks and John Beasley. Even his Number 1 Fan me would not have predicted anything close to the depth and breadth of public expressions from those whose lives were enriched by Walter by his talent, his kindness, and his skill at inspiring some wicked fun. 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. He attended Bard College, where he met his future partner Donald Fagen while playing a gig at a local club. For me personally, his death was a devastating blow, as I know it was for many of you. Walter died in the course of being treated for an extremely aggressive form of esophageal cancer, Delia Becker revealed. Following the groups dissolution, Becker moved to Hawaii and reduced his musical activity, working primarily as a record producer. It seemed to have come out of nowhere and had spread with terrifying speed. [31] They followed the album with a tour. Becker's official site announced the death; no cause. Beckers Steely Dan bandmate Donald Fagen previously paid tribute to the late guitarist in a statement. They openly admitted that lack of money was a big motivator to why they were recording, and even touring again, after decades out of the spotlight. We want that ongoing flow, that lightness, that forward rush of jazz. Walter passed peacefully in our New York City home, surrounded by his family, his music, and a blustery rainstorm one of his favorite sounds blowing outside the window. Walter Becker was an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. Michael McDonald, later (and more famously) of The Doobie Brothers, was working with Steely Dan in the mid-1970s, as keyboardist and vocalist. ", "Steely Dan changed the way I understand music forever; I started writing songs under the name "the Mountain Goats" the same month 1/2", "Read Rickie Lee Jones' Poignant Tribute to Steely Dan's Walter Becker", "Steely Dan's Donald Fagen on Walter Becker: 'Hysterically Funny, a Great Songwriter', Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz with Steely Dan, Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms, Some People Think It's Fun to Entertain, Working with Fire and Steel Possible Pop Songs Volume Two, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Walter_Becker&oldid=1144948744, Short description is different from Wikidata, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Companion media website - www.walterbeckermedia.com, This page was last edited on 16 March 2023, at 12:59. Beckers two solo albums 1994s11 Tracks of Whackand 2008sCircus Money have scanned 74,000 units, withWhackgarnering the most at 60,000 units. The guitarist, who met partnerDonald Fagen atNew Yorks Bard College in 1967,was absent at both of Steely Dans performances during Julys Classic West and Classic East concerts due to an unspecified illness. 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. 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. He co-wrote Im All Right from the album Half the Perfect World (2006) by Madeleine Peyroux and You Cant Do Me and the title track from her album Bare Bones (2009). (15 Nov 2017) WALTER BECKER'S WIFE SAYS HE DIED FROM ESOPHAGEAL CANCERThe wife of Walter Becker says the Steely Dan guitarist died while being treated for es. He wanted to be able to return to the stage and once again perform for his fans. Walter Becker 's widow, Delia Becker, has released a personal statement regarding the Steely Dan co-founder's death in September. "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. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Family (1) Spouse Friends and collaborators of the late Walter Becker discuss how his troubled life and musical genius fed into the dark sophistication of Steely Dan. The best music, movies, TV, books, comedy and more. Two months afterSteely Dan co-founder Walter Becker died unexpectedly on September 3rd, his cause of death remained a mystery. Moving to Hawaii and recovering from his addiction, Becker embarked on building a family. embarked on their first tour since the death of Becker, All the action from Coachella 2023 weekend one in dazzling photos, Solar and Moonbyul on the creation of MAMAMOO+: It was a road we had to achieve at some point, Evil Dead Rise: inside the years scariest horror film, Triviums Matt Heafy talks loving Call Of Duty and Final Fantasy in Playback, Nicholas Hoult: Skins captured that moment Euphoria captures it now. I am just beginning to emerge from its heartbreaking impact.. However, as Delia Becker writes, Walter was actually undergoing an intense regimen of chemotherapy at the time to combat the cancer, which seemed to have come out of nowhere and had spread with terrifying speed., Just four months after his diagnosis, Becker died at his New York City home surrounded by his family, his music, and a blustery rainstorm one of his favorite sounds blowing outside the window.. For me personally, his death was a devastating blow, as I know it was for many of you. 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. He was smart as a whip, an excellent guitarist and a great songwriter. I asked to go", "Really sad to hear Walter Becker has passed Steely Dan music touched me deep. Walters recovering from a procedure and hopefully hell be fine very soon, Donald Fagen said at the time. 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