Walter Becker, Steely Dan Co-Founder, Dead at 67

[DesertRat]

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.

Becker's official site announced the death; no cause of death or other details were provided.

Becker missed Steely Dan's Classic East and West concerts in July as he recovered from an unspecified ailment. "Walter's recovering from a procedure and hopefully he'll be fine very soon," his bandmate Donald Fagen told Billboard. Becker's doctor advised the guitarist not to leave his Maui home for the performances.

http://www.walterbecker.com/
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/walter-becker-steely-dan-co-founder-dead-at-67-w500956

[A HERETIC I AM]

1. The pantheon of music greats just got one hell of an addition

Fair winds and following seas, Walter.

[Lochloosa]

2. Yes they did.

[tonyt53]

3. One of my favorites!

[shenmue]

4. Rest in peace

[Arkansas Granny]

5. RIP, Walter.

I was fortunate enough to see Steely Dan in concert a couple of years ago. They were still great.

[A HERETIC I AM]

7. I had the honor of seeing their first concert they played after 19 years of not touring....

back in the early 90's. They played the Palace of Auburn Hills, where the Detroit Pistons play. 15,000 45 year olds singing "My Old School"!

Saw them twice more in the Detroit area, at what used to be called "Pine Knob Music Fair" but is now the DTE Energy Music Theater.

The last time I saw them play was at the Barbara Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Myers, FL in 2007 or so.

One of the few bands I can honestly say I like every single song they ever recorded.

I suspect Donald Fagen will continue to tour, as there are plenty of session men who made the Steely Dan Sound what it was, but Losing Walter is surely tragic.

"Kings" from "Can't Buy a Thrill"

Now they lay his body down
Sad old men who run this town
I still recall the way
He led the charge and saved the day
Blue blood and rain
I can hear the bugle playin'

[Chorus]
We seen the last of good King Richard
Ring out the past, his name lives on, and on
Roll out the bones, and raise up your pitcher
Raise up your glass to good King John

[Verse 2]
While he plundered far and wide
All his starving children cried
And though we sung his fame
We all went hungry just the same
He meant to shine
To the end of the line

[Chorus]
We seen the last of good King Richard
Ring out the past his name lives on, and on
Roll out the bones and raise up your pitcher
Raise up your glass to good King John
ADVERTISING

[Verse 2 – reprise]
And though we sung his fame
We all went hungry just the same
He meant to shine
To the end of the line

[edhopper]

6. Saw them several times the last few years

He and Fagan were fantastic. A big loss.

[DFW]

8. We saw them here in Germany a few years ago

One of the best and tightest bands we ever saw live. We let them know it in no uncertain terms. Fagen said we were one of the most appreciative audiences they had played for, and they would be back.

I guess the wait will be a little longer than we had hoped........

[Bayard]

9. One of the greats...

[sellitman]

10. EVERY song they ever did was great.

EVERY one.

I cannot think of another band that's true of. Even my beloved Beatles.

[aikoaiko]

11. I have so much respect for the music of Steely Dan.

My condolences to all who knew and loved Walter Becker.

[GoneOffShore]

12. Damn.

[orangecrush]

13. ...

[SHRED]

14. Great album here

Steely Dan - Aja Album:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz6cAheObZci6b8d-2csiwt-yXfbTHOcz

[DesertRat]

21. I love every song on that album. nt

[workinclasszero]

15. Steely Dan was great!

I remember buying Can't Buy a Thrill and being blown away by it.



And yes I am reelin in the years! Reelin in the Years, Dirty Work, Do It Again...wow!

And all of their other classics. Just excellent music and lyrics.

RIP Mr Becker

[TheDebbieDee]

16. Aw, RIP! I really loved your mellow music...

Time out of mind....

Peg...

[nolabear]

17. I've thought of them a lot lately. Chained Lightning is frighteningly relevant.

I'm so sad, almost angry. Damn death.

[vkkv]

18. Rikki don't lose that #.. intro and feel was Horace Silver's..

[blogslut]

19. Damn.

That is a damned shame.

[spanone]

20. ...

[beam me up scottie]

22. RIP Walter.

[ProfessorGAC]

23. Bummer

The finest no ego guitar player ever
Guys was a brilliant player and kept bringing in other guys to play lead on his own albums
Just didn't feel the need to be "the man"

[mvd]

24. I like Steely Dan. Am a fan of a lot of classic rock

RIP to him. Sorry to hear it.