Tributes have poured in from the world of music after Walter Becker, the guitarist, bassist and co-founder of the influential band Steely Dan, died yesterday (September 3) at the age of 67. The announcement of his death appeared on his website but no cause of death was given. He lived in Maui, Hawaii.
Becker recently had to pull out of Steely Dan’s recent Classic West and Classic East performances in Los Angeles and New York. His partner, Donald Fagan, told Billboard: "Walter's recovering from a procedure and hopefully he'll be fine very soon.” He did not give any further details as to the nature of the surgery or prognosis.
Walter Becker formed Steely Dan with keyboardist and lead vocalist Donald Fagen at Bard College in New York in 1972. The band was named after a dildo in William Burrough’s classic 1959 novel, The Naked Lunch. Celebrated for their complex, jazz-influenced albums and cynical and enigmatic lyrics, Becker and Fagan worked with an ever-changing cast of the finest sessions.
Steely Dan enjoyed a run of hugely successful hit singles including Rellin’ In The Years, Rikki Don’t Lose That Number, Do It Again and Deacon Blues. They released nine albums between 1972 and 2003 including 1977’s Aja. Widely regarded as their best LP, the album sold more than 5m copies. Becker and Fagen went their separate ways after 1980’s Goucho album and the reformed 20 years later.
Speaking in a statement, Donald Fagen said: “Walter Becker was smart as a whip, an excellent guitarist and a great songwriter. He was cynical about human nature, including his own, and hysterically funny.”
Tributes have been raised for Becker. Producer Mark Ronson tweeted that Becker was “one half of the team I aspire to everytime I sit down at the piano.”
rest in peace WALTER BECKER, one half of the team i aspire to everytime I sit down at a piano. thank you for your unparalleled contribution
— Mark Ronson (@MarkRonson) 3 September 2017
Ryan Adams tweeted that Becker changed his life.
Walter Becker, you changed my life with music. You are so loved
— Ryan Adams (@TheRyanAdams) 3 September 2017
Straight to the stars.... My friend pic.twitter.com/vqVeglX5Tc
Nile Rodgers said that Steely Dan were one of his “favourite bands.”
#RIPWalterBecker Very sad news. They're one of my favorite bands. https://t.co/u2qmSbZp3Z
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) 3 September 2017
Kiss’ Paul Stanley called Becker a “major force.”
RIP Walter Becker. A major force in a band whose music has defied comparisons and categories. You're music lives on. @RollingStone pic.twitter.com/FIFdHs0Eut
— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) 3 September 2017
Elsewhere, Thundercat said that the guitarist would “be in mind and heart forever.”
Walter Becker and Donald Fagen helped mold my mindset about music. He will be in my mind and heart forever. Thank you Walter.
— Thunder....cat (@Thundercat) 3 September 2017
Blues guitarist Joe Bonamassa hailed Becker as “one of the greats of jazz and rock guitar.”
Rest In Peace Walter Becker. I met him several times in New York. He was always a gentleman and one of the greats of Jazz & Rock guitar. pic.twitter.com/LUYIgF1WkV
— JOE BONAMASSA (@JBONAMASSA) 3 September 2017
