
Walter Becker
Personal Info
Known for
Sound
Gender
Male
Birthday
1950-02-20
Day of Death
2017-09-03 (67 years old)
Place of Birth
Queens, New York, USA
Walter Becker
Biography
Walter Carl Becker (February 20, 1950 – September 3, 2017) was an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He was the co-founder, guitarist, bassist, and co-songwriter of the jazz rock band Steely Dan.
Becker met future songwriting partner Donald Fagen while they were students at Bard College. 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. Following the group's dissolution, Becker moved to Hawaii and reduced his musical activity, working primarily as a record producer. In 1985, he briefly became a member of the English band China Crisis, producing and playing synthesizer on their album Flaunt the Imperfection.
Becker and Fagen reformed Steely Dan in 1993 and remained active, recording Two Against Nature (2000), which won four Grammy Awards. Becker released two solo albums, 11 Tracks of Whack (1994) and Circus Money (2008). Following a brief battle with esophageal cancer, he died on September 3, 2017. He and Fagen are the only two members of Steely Dan who appeared on every studio album by the band.
Known For
Acting
(2016)
Steely Dan: Tour 2016
as guitar
(2013)
Steely Dan: Dilectus
as Guitar
(2010)
(2008)
Steely Dan: In Concert
as guitar
(2008)
Steely Dan: Think Fast in Cincinnati
as Performer
(2007)
(2003)
Steely Dan: Confessions
as Himself
(2003)
Steely Dan: Blood Orange County
as guitar
(2000)
Steely Dan: Two Against Nature
as Lead Guitar
(2000)
(1999)
(1993)
Steely Dan: Alive and Kickin'
as guitar
Crew
(2023)
Only Time Will Tell
Music
(2000)
(1971)
You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat
Original Music Composer