He recorded albums by artists including Rickie Lee Jones, Michael Franks and China Crisis. Becker was born in Queens, New York City. [5] He graduated from Manhattan's Stuyvesant High School. Becker met future songwriting partner Donald Fagen while they were students at Bard College. He was 67 years old. Steely Dan sold more than 40m copies of nine studio albums, won four Grammy awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Walter entered the career as musician, songwriter, and record producer In his early life after completing his formal education.. With his large number of social media fans, he often posts many personal photos and videos to interact with his huge fan base on social media platforms. Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker's widow Delia reveals the circumstances surrounding Becker's death in a new letter to the band's fans. Now,Beckers widow Delia has issued a statement, saying that the musiciandied in the course of being treated for an extremely aggressive form of esophageal cancer. "Walter Becker was not only an icon in the world of music but he had one of the largest, most diverse collections of. It sounded like, you know, like a black person, really. 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. Delia Becker said that 'the tsunami of tributes and remembrances that have followed Walters passing has been deeply moving.'. The worlds defining voice in music and pop culture: breaking whats new and whats next since 1952. Understandably, Walter wanted privacy during the course of his illness and he hoped for recovery. Three years of touring to support the albums Cant Buy a Thrill (1972), Countdown to Ecstasy (1973) and Pretzel Logic (1974) proved too exhausting to follow up, despite the acclaim that Becker and Fagen received, and Steely Dan became a studio-only project for the remainder of the 1970s. Steely Dan recently embarked on their first tour since the death of Becker. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. I realize this is overdue, and I hope you will understand why. Famously known by the Family name Walter Becker, was a great musician, songwriter, and record producer. That was the problem we had a lot of the time back then." In addition to co-writing all of the bands material, Becker played guitar and bass guitar and sang background vocals. 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'. Walter Becker was my friend, my writing partner and my bandmate since we met as students at Bard College in 1967. I dont sell enough albums to cover the cost of recording them the way I like to. Walter Beckers wife has revealed theSteely Dan co-founders cause of death. Personal touch and engage with his followers. Outside Steely Dan, Becker recorded and performed in recent years with the singer-songwriters Krishna Das, Rebecca Pidgeon and Madeleine Peyroux. Becker was also married to Delia Cioffi and Juanna Fatouros. 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. We want to hear it. Understandably, Walter wanted privacy during the course of his illness and he hoped for recovery. I am just beginning to emerge from its heartbreaking impact. Hollywood actress joins the cast of the Neighbours revival. 2023 Paste Media Group. He was struck by a taxi in 1979 and was confined to a wheelchair for a time, while falling prey to drug addiction. They wereinducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the following year. This article was amended on 12 September 2017. Following the group's dissolution, Becker moved to Hawaii and reduced his musical activity, working primarily as a record producer. The act was known for heady songs full of unexpected sonic detours and the band's ornately and painstakingly produced albums, such as 1974's "Pretzel Logic" and 1977's "Aja," are today considered signature works of the decade. [34] The songs were inspired by reggae and other styles of Jamaican music. "[10], Becker left the school in 1969 before completing his degree and moved with Fagen to Brooklyn, where the two began to build a career as a songwriting duo. The song broadcast Steely Dan's love of jazz, as it pulled its riff from pianist Horace Silver's light-stepping, Brazilian-tinged staple "Song for My Father." Contestants revealed, Bec and Lleyton Hewitt's three kids are their mini-mes! 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. The comments below have not been moderated, By [36], After his death, his gear was auctioned off by Julien's for US$3.3 million in total. In January that year, his girlfriend Karen Stanley died following a drug overdose in his apartment on the Upper West Side. And despite countless lineup changes over the years,Becker and Fagen remained the core of Steely Dan, turning out jazz funk meets rock n roll hits. Steely Dan, the American jazz-rock band formed by the multi-instrumentalists and songwriters Donald Fagen and Walter Becker in 1972, marked the high point of the music industrys most profligate period. 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. It seemed to have come out of nowhere and had spread with terrifying speed. [51], In a statement released to the media the day of Becker's 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."[52]. American musician, songwriter, and record producer, For other people named Walter Becker, see. Their music slick and catchy, with wry, observational lyrics - was all-pervasive for much of the groups first period of activity, between 1972 and 1981, and the clarity and depth of the albums production has made them popular reference points for studio engineers. 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. Young, ruthless and supremely intellectual, the two musicians gained a lifelong reputation for obsessive recording methods in the studio, forcing session musicians to record dozens of takes in search of the perfect sound at a cost that would be impossible to consider nowadays. ', Delia Becker said that her husband sought privacy during his treatment and that it was important for his fans to know that 'he never intended to keep anyone in the dark about his condition.'. Walter Beckers Widow Details Steely Dan Co-Founders Swift Illness, Death, Suga, Drake, And All the Songs You Need to Know This Week, BTS Suga (as Agust D) Reveals New Album D-Day Out This Month, See BTS Jung Kook Debut New Single Dreamers at FIFA World Cup Opening Ceremony, Toosii Brings Roses and Your 'Favorite Song' to Tonight Show, Justin Bieber Shares Heartfelt Message to Frank Ocean After Coachella Set, Bad Bunny Sets the Record Straight on Harry Styles Coachella Tweet, J-Hope Shares Buzzcut, Special Message for Fans Ahead of MilitaryEnlistment, Ankle Injury Messed Up Frank Ocean's Coachella Set, Source Claims, Bill Hader Didn't Know Carol Burnett Was His Cousin Until She Emailed Him. 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. 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. 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.. Photo: ABC Music News Steely Dan. The band drifted after the release of 1980's "Gaucho," regularly citing fatigue, personal disagreements and drug abuse, but reunited in 1993. "[22], He produced albums for the new wave bands Fra Lippo Lippi and China Crisis, and is credited on the latter's 1985 album Flaunt the Imperfection as a member of the band. [47], Musicians such as Julian Lennon,[48] Steve Lukather,[49] and John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats[50] made public statements mourning Becker's death. Walter died in the course of being treated for an extremely aggressive form of esophageal cancer, Delia Becker revealed. In 2005, Becker co-produced and played bass guitar on the album All One by Krishna Das and played guitar on the album Tough on Crime by Rebecca Pidgeon. Becker beat the addiction and slowly reentered the world of music. ), You've Got to Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat, Listen to 13 Essential Walter Becker Songs, "Steely Dan: Return of the Dark Brothers", "Back to Annandale: The Origins of Steely Dan", "Walter Becker, Steely Dan Guitarist, Dies at 67", "Walter Becker, Steely Dan Co-Founder, Dead at 67", "Walter Becker, Guitarist, Songwriter and Co-Founder of Steely Dan, Dies at 67", "When Jimmy Page Debuted With the Yardbirds and Steely Dan Broke Up", "The 1993 interview when Walter Becker opened up about Steely Dan's subversive intentions", "Commencement 2001 Berklee College of Music", "Steely Dan Sunday, "Slang of Ages" (2003)", "Long Island Music Hall of Fame Preserving & Celebrating the Long Island musical heritage", "walter becker circus money official site", "Can Buy a Thrill: The luthier-built guitars of Walter Becker", "Steely Dan's Walter Becker Estate Auction Fetches $3.3M on Hundreds of Guitars, Amps & More", "Steely Dan's Walter Becker was a gearhead's gearhead. 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.. Steely Dan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. [13] He also produced albums for Michael Franks and John Beasley. 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. I realize this is overdue, and I hope you will understand why. [39] The term was later adapted as Gear Acquisition Syndrome in online forums and music magazines. This groups drummer was Chevy Chase, later a comic actor. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. He was best known as the co-founder, guitarist, bassist, and co-songwriter of the jazz rock band Steely Dan. He was best known as the co-founder, guitarist, bassist, and co-songwriter of the jazz rock band Steely Dan. "Fagen," wrote former Times music writer Richard Cromelin, "always seemed the more human half of Steely Dan - his sarcasm was downright benign next to Walter Becker, a baby-faced sadist who delighted in turning interviews into whimpering wrecks." In 2000, the band act released its first studio album in two decades with "Two Against Nature." Becker reportedly paid $3,400 for the instrument and it sold for $68,750. They were members of the touring band for Jay and the Americans but used pseudonyms. Beckers two solo albums 1994s11 Tracks of Whackand 2008sCircus Money have scanned 74,000 units, withWhackgarnering the most at 60,000 units. Wiki Biography & Celebrity Profiles as wikipedia. I am just beginning to emerge from its heartbreaking impact. 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. He just ran out of time much sooner than any of us thought possible.. Walter died in the course of being treated for an extremely aggressive form of esophageal cancer. 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 Personal Life, Relationships and Dating In 1984 Becker married Elinor Roberta Meadows, a yoga teacher, and the couple had two children, including adopted daughter Sayan. Walter Carl Becker (February 20, 1950 September 3, 2017) was an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. I realize this is overdue, and I hope you will understand why. [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. Rolling Stone published a letter written by late Steely Dan guitarist and co-founder Walter Becker 's widow Delia today. At the time of his death, he was 67 years old. Walter Becker was born on February 20, 1950 in Queens, New York City, New York, USA. Donald Fagen Discusses the Loss of Walter Becker and Steely Dan's Future. 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. The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time I was only interested in knowing about chords. We want that ongoing flow, that lightness, that forward rush of jazz. [44] Despite undergoing vigorous treatment, the cancer rapidly worsened to the point that he was completely absent from all of Steely Dan's concerts in the months that followed. A judge found in his favour and the case was settled. He was raised in Queens and Scarsdale, New York by his father and grandmother. 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. Becker was born in Queens, New York City. Fagen paid tribute to his bandmate as 'an excellent guitarist and a great songwriter.'. Walter was an ideal celebrity influencer. (The word "persnickety" has been used.) All Rights Reserved. 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. Becker's official site announced the death; no cause. Steely Dan broke up and Becker retired to a farm in Hawaii, where eventually he built a recording studio of his own. 'In keeping with his wishes, he was cremated without ceremony or memorial in New York City. 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. Walter Becker, co-founder of Steely Dan, passed away this week at 67. . On September 3, 2017, Becker died of esophageal cancer at his home in Manhattan, New York City. There is no question Walter Becker was the most famous & most loved celebrity of all the time. From that, and from the Harvard Dictionary of Music, I learned everything I wanted to know. Rolling Stone's obituary quotes him this way: "People can sort of listen to (Steely Dan) at whatever level. Two months afterSteely Dan co-founder Walter Becker died unexpectedly on September 3rd, his cause of death remained a mystery. 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. I am just beginning to emerge from its heartbreaking impact.. Walter died in the course of being treated for an extremely aggressive form of esophageal cancer. 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.. Guitarist, bassist, and co-songwriter Becker was 67 he. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. He started out playing saxophone, and took up guitar in his teens. However, Fagens Kamakiriad (1993), produced by Becker, was preceded as a solo album by The Nightfly (1982), produced by Gary Katz. For me personally, his death was a devastating blow, as I know it was for many of you. 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. Steely Dan broke up and Becker retired to a farm in Hawaii, where eventually he built a recording studio of his own. He just ran out of time much sooner than any of us thought possible. It was followed by Everything Must Go (2003), and the band were still touring this year, though Becker had to miss concerts in July. He was previously married to Juanna Fatouros, Delia Cioffi and Elinor Roberta Meadows. Writing his obituary, the Associated Press reported that Steely Dan's Walter Becker "had the gift of relative anonymity in a field where celebrity can do incalculable damage." Becker produced Rickie Lee Joness album Flying Cowboys and played bass on the main title track co-written by Pascal Nabet Meyer, which was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1997. Where are the cast of Paper Giants today? Becker and his wife, Elinor, adopted Sayan . Eventually, in 1980, they released Gaucho - a major success - but it attracted another lawsuit from a jazz composer claiming copyright infringement. September 22, 2017. Becker's guitar and amp collection was the largest ever sold by Julien's, whose owner said "what made [the] collection unique" was that Becker "literally played all of them."[35][37][38]. The album won four Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. The best Aussie MasterChef contestants of all time! [28] A year later, Fagen co-produced Becker's debut album 11 Tracks of Whack.[29]. Walter Becker was born on February 20, 1950 in Queens, New York City, New York, USA. 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. 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. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Walter J. Becker of Iron Ridge, Wisconsin, who passed away on February 26, 2023, at the age of 65, leaving to mourn family and friends. [30] In 2003, they released the album Everything Must Go with Becker singing lead vocal on "Slang of Ages". Initially, the band was made up of Becker on bass and singer Fagen, alongside singer David Palmer,guitarists Jeff 'Skunk' Baxter and Denny Dias and drummer Jim Hodder. 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. He was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2008. I am just beginning to emerge from its heartbreaking impact. At the time of his passing on Sept. 3 no details were released about Beckers cause of death. He died on September 3, 2017 in Maui, Hawaii, USA. The 50 Worst Decisions in Music History Family (1) Spouse My desert Island music. 2023 Wiki Biography & Celebrity Profiles as wikipedia, Joe Kayes Wiki, Biography, Age, Net Worth, Family, Instagram, Twitter, Social Profiles & More Facts, Musician, Songwriter, And Record Producer, Anthony Bottom Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Family, Net Worth, Barbara Becnel Wiki, Biography, Age, Husband, Family, Net Worth, musician, songwriter, and record producer. [9] At the time, Chase called the group "a bad jazz band. How do the British royal family make their money? You can find out how much net worth Walter has this year and how he spent his expenses. Two months after Steely Dan guitarist and co-founderWalter Beckers death at 67, on Wednesday (Nov. 15) his widowDelia Beckerreleased an emotionalstatement discussingher late husbands health struggles and her own difficulty in dealing with his passing. The heartfelt note thanks his fans for their condolences and tributes,. He just ran out of time much sooner than any of us thought possible. Explore Walter Becker Wiki Age, Height, Biography as Wikipedia, Wife, Family relation. For me, touring is the only way to make a living,' Fagen told the Wall Street Journal. In 1991, Becker appeared in Fagens New York Rock and Soul Revue. It's been universally agreed that our music is the best possible Muzak rock Muzak to play in the supermarket. Ariel Zilber For Dailymail.com That kind of marriage has so far only come up with ponderous results. Becker released two solo albums, 11 Tracks of Whack (1994) and Circus Money (2008). Walter Carl Becker, singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, born 20 February 1950; died 3 September 2017, Superbly talented guitarist, singer and songwriter who co-founded Steely Dan, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Becker and Fagen were essentially the only constants of Steely Dan, which by the mid-'70s had ceased touring and increasingly relied upon a revolving cast of ace musicians. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Walter Carl Becker (February 20, 1950 September 3, 2017) was an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. 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. He has a pure loving kind heart personality. After the duo returned to New York in 1978, Becker's girlfriend Karen Roberta Stanley, who was an employee of ABC Dunhill Records and personal manager for the band, died of a drug overdose in his apartment on January 30, 1980, resulting in a wrongful death lawsuit against him. Where are the cast of Here Comes The Habibs! For me personally, his death was a devastating blow, as I know it was for many of you. She continues, 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. He was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2008. Walter Becker 's widow, Delia Becker, has released a personal statement regarding the Steely Dan co-founder's death in September. Walter Becker Net Worth & Basic source of earning was being a successful American musician, songwriter, and record producer. Early on, Becker largely played bass, and he said he was encouraged to focus on the guitar by Fagen. Fagen played keyboards and sang, while Becker played bass guitar. Becker and Fagen reformed Steely Dan in 1993 and remained active, recording Two Against Nature (2000), which won four Grammy Awards. 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