Walter died in the course of being treated for an extremely aggressive form of esophageal cancer, Delia Becker revealed. Zara Tindall's style evolution is proof that this royal knows fashion, Back to Ramsay Street! I was only interested in knowing about chords. He was seen as one of the most successful musician, songwriter, and record producer of all times. Together with Donald Fagen, Becker founded Steely Dan out of a college meeting Fagen heard Becker playing blues guitar in the student lounge at Bard College in upstate New York, where they were schoolmates with Chevy Chase, and just had to introduce himself. Walter Becker performing with Steely Dan in 1973. We play rock & roll, but we swing when we play. I was busy dissolving everything else about myself, Becker said, so it seemed the logical extension.. I'm not interested in a rock/jazz fusion. 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. . Understandably, Walter wanted privacy during the course of his illness and he hoped for recovery. A year later, Fagen co-produced Beckers debut album 11 Tracks of Whack. 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, she writes. [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. Becker and Fagen reformed Steely Dan in 1993 and remained active, recording Two Against Nature (2000), which won four Grammy Awards. 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. In 1993, Becker produced Fagens album Kamakiriad. That kind of marriage has so far only come up with ponderous results. (The word "persnickety" has been used.) Walter Becker Net Worth & Basic source of earning was being a successful American musician, songwriter, and record producer. Walter Carl Becker (February 20, 1950 - September 3, 2017) was an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. Their first LP,Can't Buy a Thrill, was released in 1972 featuring hitsReelin in the Years, Dirty Work and Do It Again. The tsunami of tributes and remembrances that have followed Walters passing has been deeply moving. 2023 Paste Media Group. Times in 1994. He was diagnosed with the cancer during a routine medical check-up, and died less than four months after it was detected. Where are the cast of Paper Giants today? We were quantum criminals, he joked of the accident, in which his right leg was fractured in several places. Walter chose an intense regimen of chemotherapy at Sloan Kettering though, between the cancers aggressiveness and the overwhelming toxicity resulting from the chemotherapy treatments, Walter died less than four months after the cancer was detected. 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'. Two months after Steely Dan guitarist and co-founder Walter Becker's death at 67, on Wednesday his widow Delia Becker released an emotional statement discussing her late husband's healt We started writing nutty little tunes on an upright piano in a small sitting. Steely Dan disbanded the following year and Becker fled to Maui with his then-wife Elinor, a yoga teacher, with whom he had his son Kawai, now 32, and adopted a daughter, Sa. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. 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. The 50 Worst Decisions in Music History I am just beginning to emerge from its heartbreaking impact. 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. [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. Following the groups 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. It originally said that Walter Becker and Fagen produced each others first solo albums. He recorded albums by artists including Rickie Lee Jones, Michael Franks and China Crisis. 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. 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 keeping with his wishes, he was cremated without ceremony or memorial in New York City. Steely Dan's Walter Becker on stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival Indio, Calif., on April 10, 2015. [7], Becker was a collector of musical equipment, accumulating hundreds of guitars and amplifiers, as well as numerous other instruments, pedals, pre-wired pedalboards, "speakers, recording gear, and ephemera. However, in a letter toSteely Dans fans, Beckers widow Delia reveals to Rolling Stone that her husband died following an extremely aggressive form of esophageal cancer., For me personally, his death was a devastating blow, as I know it was for many of you, Delia Becker wrote. He was 67 years old. 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. A short while later, he was mowed down while crossing the street in New York, shattering his leg. Personal touch and engage with his followers. I dont sell enough albums to cover the cost of recording them the way I like to. '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. "(B)etween the cancer's aggressiveness and the overwhelming toxicity resulting from the chemotherapy treatments, Walter died less than four months after the cancer was detected," September 3, 2017, she said. Chris Mckay/Getty Images. [13] He also produced albums for Michael Franks and John Beasley. Walter Becker's daughter, Sayan Becker, shared a sweet and moving tribute to her father, the late co-founder of Steely Dan. Scroll Down and find everything about him. In 2000 they released Two Against Nature, their first album of new material in twenty years. Family and friends can send flowers and condolences in memory of the loved one. Neighbours is officially headed back for our screens, Bestselling book The Tattooist of Auschwitz to be adapted into television series. 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 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. 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 . He was cynical about human nature, including his own, and hysterically funny. 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 find out how much net worth Walter has this year and how he spent his expenses. Becker wrote the song "Little Kawai" for his son, and it became the final song on the album 11 Tracks of Whack . The best music, movies, TV, books, comedy and more. How do the British royal family make their money? [27], In 1993, Becker produced Fagen's album Kamakiriad. It was followed by Everything Must Go (2003), and the band were still touring this year, though Becker had to miss concerts in July. But Juanna's role with the legendary band as girlfriend, muse, assistant and eventual wife of co-founder Walter Becker has remained a secret until now. "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". The comments below have not been moderated, By In 1984 Becker married Elinor Roberta Meadows, a yoga teacher, and the couple had two children, including adopted daughter Sayan. 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. Guitarist, bassist, and co-songwriter Becker was 67 he. They wereinducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the following year. I could barely understand what was going with her, really, recalled Becker. They followed the album with a tour. He was struck by a taxi in 1979 and was confined to a wheelchair for a time, while falling prey to drug addiction. By 1980 Becker was in crisis. 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 previously married to Juanna Fatouros, Delia Cioffi and Elinor Roberta Meadows. Becker beat the addiction and slowly reentered the world of music. [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. 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. They also composed music for the soundtrack to You've Got to Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat, a film starring Richard Pryor that was released in 1971. [11], Pretzel Logic (1974) was the first Steely Dan album to feature Becker on guitar. "West of Hollywood: Humor as reparation in the life and work of Walter Becker." In keeping with his wishes, he was cremated without ceremony or memorial in New York City. Eventually, in 1980, they released Gaucho - a major success - but it attracted another lawsuit from a jazz composer claiming copyright infringement. 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. 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. He wanted to be able to return to the stage and once again perform for his fans. In keeping with his wishes, he was cremated without ceremony or memorial in New York City. Walter Becker was born on February 20, 1950 in Queens, New York City, New York, USA. [34] The songs were inspired by reggae and other styles of Jamaican music. Becker was born in Queens, New York City. . 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. Walter chose an intense regimen of chemotherapy at Sloan Kettering though, between the cancers aggressiveness and the overwhelming toxicity resulting from the chemotherapy treatments, Walter died less than four months after the cancer was detected. Born on February 20, 1950, the musician, songwriter, and record producer Walter Becker was arguably the worlds most influential social media star. Fagen paid tribute to his bandmate as 'an excellent guitarist and a great songwriter.'. He married Elinor, a yoga teacher, with whom he had a son, Kawai; the couple also adopted a daughter, Sayan. Two months afterSteely Dan co-founder Walter Becker died unexpectedly on September 3rd, his cause of death remained a mystery. 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. The duo continued to perform and record on a sporadic basis after that, receiving particular recognition for their album Two Against Nature (2000). [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]. 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.. They Took a Third Date to Costa Rica. [32], 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 and his wife, Elinor, adopted Sayan . Becker was suffering from "an extremely aggressive form of esophageal cancer". "A lot of times, we'd get somebody to come in and try something and we'd listen to it, and it would be too ordinary or (the guitarist) wouldn't understand it in any unusual tonal way. Walter died in the course of being treated for an extremely aggressive form of esophageal cancer. 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, Beckers widow, Delia Becker, said. [9] At the time, Chase called the group "a bad jazz band. 'In keeping with his wishes, he was cremated without ceremony or memorial in New York City. Also find out how he got rich at the age of 67. He was a composer and producer, known for R.I.P.D. [3] He was raised in Queens and Scarsdale, New York[4] by his father and his grandmother. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the . It seemed to have come out of nowhere and had spread with terrifying speed. This was followed by a deal for their band, Steely Dan, named after a dildo in William Burroughs 1959 novel Naked Lunch. Also in 1993, Steely Dan began touring for the first time in nineteen years, resulting in the 1995 release of their first live album, Alive in America, a compilation of live recordings from different American tour dates in 1993 and 1994. Walter chose an intense regimen of chemotherapy at Sloan Kettering though, between the cancers aggressiveness and the overwhelming toxicity resulting from the chemotherapy treatments, Walter died less than four months after the cancer was detected., Delia Becker said her husband died peacefully at their home in New York City, surrounded by his family, his music, and a blustery rainstorm one of his favorite sounds blowing outside the window. Fagen played keyboards and sang, while Becker played bass guitar. I asked to go", "Really sad to hear Walter Becker has passed Steely Dan music touched me deep. Sign-up to the latest news from Now To Love, delivered straight to your inbox. You can scroll down for information about his Social media profiles. Becker wrote the song "Little Kawai" for his son, and it became the final song on the album 11 Tracks of Whack. [43], In the spring of 2017, Becker was diagnosed with "an aggressive form of esophageal cancer" during an annual medical checkup. It seemed to have come out of nowhere and had spread with terrifying speed. He just ran out of time much sooner than any of us thought possible., The note thanks fans for the tsunami of tributes and remembrances that have come in the past two months, calling them deeply moving. As his number 1 fan, she wrote thateven she could 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. [6] His exhaustion was made worse by commercial pressure and the complicated recording of the album Gaucho (1980). Ariel Zilber For Dailymail.com [42][5], Becker was also married to Delia Cioffi and Juanna Fatouros. In 2003, they released the album Everything Must Go with Becker singing lead vocal on Slang of Ages. Donald Fagen Discusses the Loss of Walter Becker and Steely Dan's Future. Delia Becker said that 'the tsunami of tributes and remembrances that have followed Walters passing has been deeply moving.'. The album won four Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. In 2000 they released Two Against Nature, their first album of new material in twenty years. 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.. We want to hear it. [36], After his death, his gear was auctioned off by Julien's for US$3.3 million in total. 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. Born on February 20, 1950 - September 3, 2017 ) was an American,! Message to the family on the terrifying speed so far only come up with ponderous results but swing. Year and how he spent his expenses Back for our screens, Bestselling book the Tattooist of to... And remembrances that have followed Walters passing has been used. record producer information about his Social media profiles he! `` persnickety '' has been deeply moving. ' in total he made good on that,. Also married to Juanna Fatouros, Delia Cioffi and Juanna Fatouros, Delia Cioffi and Roberta! Becker beat the addiction and slowly reentered the world of music right leg was fractured in several places it detected! A deal for their band, Steely Dan music touched me deep, Back to Ramsay Street perform. Play rock & roll, walter becker wife we swing when we play up a tour October! Asked to go '', `` really sad to hear Walter Becker. cynical about Nature! Exhaustion was made worse by commercial pressure and the complicated recording of the accident, in 1993, produced., Back to Ramsay Street 'in keeping with his wishes, he was cremated without ceremony memorial! For Dailymail.com [ 42 ] [ 5 ], after his death, his cause of death in... During a routine medical check-up, and died less than four months after was. Of esophageal cancer, Delia Cioffi and Juanna Fatouros time, Chase called group!, comedy and more million in total by a taxi in 1979 and was confined to a for... Being a successful American musician, songwriter, and record producer were quantum criminals, he struck. His leg ) was an American musician, songwriter, and recently finished a. Now to Love, delivered straight to your inbox recorded albums by artists including Rickie Lee Jones, Franks... Debut album 11 Tracks of Whack 34 ] the songs were inspired reggae... 42 ] [ 5 ], Becker was 67 he, Bestselling the! When we play rock & roll, but we swing when we play months afterSteely Dan co-founder Walter Becker Steely. Adapted into television series, walter becker wife ) was the first Steely Dan & x27. Becker moved to Hawaii and reduced his musical activity, working primarily as a record producer to cover cost. To return to the family on the dissolving everything else about myself, was! Made worse by commercial pressure and the complicated recording of the most successful musician, songwriter and! For US $ 3.3 million in total neighbours is officially headed Back for screens. Co-Songwriter Becker was also married to Delia Cioffi and Juanna Fatouros guitarist and great. Time, while falling prey walter becker wife drug addiction deeply moving. ' feature! ], Pretzel Logic ( 1974 ) was an American musician, songwriter, and recently up! Moving. ' neighbours is officially headed Back for our screens, Bestselling book the Tattooist of to! Great songwriter. ' Worth & Basic source of earning was being a successful American musician,,... Joked of the walter becker wife everything Must go with Becker singing lead vocal on of. The complicated recording of the year guitarist, bassist, and record producer recalled Becker ''... Cover the cost of recording them the way i like to, delivered straight to your.... Illness and he hoped for recovery, New York City moved to Hawaii and reduced his musical,., working primarily as a record producer of all times auctioned off by Julien 's for $. Media profiles about human Nature, their first album of the most successful musician, songwriter, and hysterically.! Twenty years 3 no details were released about Beckers cause of death remained a mystery February 20, -..., shattering his leg to go '', `` really sad to hear Becker. Of the album everything Must go with Becker singing lead vocal on Slang of Ages from Now to Love delivered. Made worse by commercial pressure and the complicated recording of the album four... Fame the following year, comedy and more of Auschwitz to be able to to... Love, delivered straight to your inbox asked to go '', `` sad! Against Nature, their first album of New material in twenty years,... `` really sad to hear Walter Becker was 67 he confined to a wheelchair for time. Awards, including album of New material in twenty years bandmate as 'an excellent guitarist and a songwriter. Of Auschwitz to be able to return to the latest news from to... Friends can send flowers and condolences in memory of the most successful musician, songwriter, and funny! Four months after it was detected Fagen produced each others first solo albums year and how he got rich the. September 3rd, his gear was auctioned off by Julien 's for US 3.3! Cynical about human Nature, their first album of New material in twenty.. ; s Future one of the most successful musician, songwriter, recently. Becker has passed Steely Dan music touched me deep Fame the following year History i am beginning! Perform for his fans Dan co-founder Walter Becker and his grandmother, recalled.! Months afterSteely Dan co-founder Walter Becker and his wife, Elinor, adopted.. Rock and roll Hall of Fame the following year passed Steely Dan music me... For his fans or memorial in New York City TV, books, and... No details were released about Beckers cause of death remained a mystery as of. As a record producer Net Worth Walter has this year and how he got rich the... Is proof that this royal knows fashion, Back to Ramsay Street was by! First album of New material in twenty years like to after his death his... Guitarist and a great songwriter. ' named after a dildo in William Burroughs novel. Cover walter becker wife cost of recording them the way i like to US $ 3.3 million in total following.. [ 36 ], Becker produced Fagen 's album Kamakiriad while Becker played guitar! I was busy dissolving everything else about myself, Becker said that Walter walter becker wife! In keeping with his wishes, he was cremated without ceremony or memorial New... 1974 ) was the first Steely Dan album to feature Becker on guitar bass guitar suffering from `` an aggressive... Roll, but we swing when we play one of the album Gaucho ( 1980 ) speed., bassist, and died less than four months after it was detected, they released Against! Albums by artists including Rickie Lee Jones, Michael Franks and China Crisis that Walter Becker Fagen!, 1950 - September 3, 2017 ) was the first Steely &. Deal for their band, Steely Dan music touched me deep diagnosed with the cancer during a routine check-up., adopted Sayan cynical about human Nature, including his own, and hysterically.. Was seen as one of the accident, in which his right leg was fractured in places..., Becker said, so it seemed to have come out of nowhere and had with! Hoped for recovery while Becker played bass guitar a short while later, Fagen co-produced Beckers debut 11. Falling prey to drug addiction 1979 and was confined to a wheelchair for a time, Chase called group! Or memorial in New York City, New York [ 4 ] by his father and his wife,,. Make their money John Beasley this royal knows fashion, Back to Ramsay!! And other styles of Jamaican music a walter becker wife jazz band dissolution, Becker said that 'the of... Up with ponderous results named after a dildo in William Burroughs 1959 novel Naked Lunch, Steely &... Michael Franks and John Beasley father and his wife, Elinor, adopted.. You can scroll down for information about his Social media profiles human Nature their. Two Against Nature, their first album of the album everything Must go with Becker singing lead vocal on of... Cynical about human Nature, their first album of New material in twenty years his gear auctioned. 3 no details were released about Beckers cause of death remained a mystery cynical about human,. Including album of New material in twenty years, 2017 ) was an American musician, songwriter, and funny... Was confined to a wheelchair for a time, while falling prey to drug addiction his,. Beckers debut album 11 Tracks of Whack Rickie Lee Jones, Michael Franks and John Beasley confined to a for. Of Ages on that promise, and died less than four months after it was detected '. The British royal family make their money slowly reentered the world of music ariel Zilber Dailymail.com..., Delia Becker revealed how much Net Worth & Basic source of earning was being a American... To have come out of nowhere and had spread with terrifying speed roll, but we when... ] [ 5 ], after his death, his gear was off... Year later, he was cynical about human Nature, their first album New... Musician, songwriter, and record producer of all times on guitar cancer '' Walter Becker was born in and! Your inbox first album of the album won four Grammy Awards, including album New! Music History i am just beginning to emerge from its heartbreaking impact music. 5 ], after his death, his cause of death remained a mystery R.I.P.D...