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		⚫	{{Other persons\|Walter Becker}}
	{{Use mdy dates\|date=December 2014}}
⚫	{{Other ~~people~~\|Walter Becker}}
	{{Infobox musical artist		{{Infobox musical artist
	\|name = Walter Becker		\|name = Walter Becker
	\|image =		\|image =
	\|caption =		\|caption =
	\|background = solo_singer		\|background = solo_singer
	\|birth_name = Walter Carl Becker		\|birth_name = Walter Carl Becker
	\|birth_date = {{Birth date and age\|1950\|2\|20}}		\|birth_date = {{Birth date and age\|1950\|2\|20\|df=y}}
	\|death_date =		\|death_date =
	\|origin = ], New York City		\|origin = ], ]
	\|genre = Rock, ]/]		\|genre = ], ]/]
	\|occupation = Singer, songwriter, record producer, musician		\|occupation = ], ], ], ]
	\|instrument = ], guitar, vocals		\|instrument = ], ], ]
	\|years_active = 1969–present		\|years_active = 1969–present
	\|Associated_Acts = ], ], ], ]		\|Associated_Acts = ], ], ], ]
	\|label = ], ], ], ], ]		\|label = ], ], ], ], ]
	\|website =~~{{url\|~~walterbecker.com/}}		\|website =
	}}		}}

	'''Walter Carl Becker''' (born February 20, 1950) is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as the co-founder, guitarist, bassist and co-songwriter of ].		'''Walter Carl Becker''' (born February 20, 1950) is an ] ], ], and ]. He is best known as the co-founder, ], ] and co-songwriter in ].

	Becker met future songwriting partner ] while studying at ]. After a brief period of activity in New York, the two relocated to California in 1971 and formed the nucleus of Steely Dan, who enjoyed a critically and commercially successful ten-year career. Following the group's disbanding, Becker relocated to Hawaii and reduced his musical activity, working primarily as a record producer.		Becker met his future songwriting partner ] while studying at ]. After a brief period of activity in New York, the two relocated to ] in 1971 and formed the nucleus of Steely Dan, who enjoyed a critically and commercially successful ten-year career. Following the group's disbanding, Becker relocated to ] and reduced his musical activity, working primarily as a ].

	Becker and Fagen reformed Steely Dan in 1993 and have remained active, most notably including their 2000 '']'' album, which won four ]s. Becker has also released two solo albums, 1994's '']'' and 2008's '']''.		Becker and Fagen reformed Steely Dan in 1993 and have remained active, most notably including their 2000 '']'' album, which won four ]s. Becker has also released two solo albums, 1994's '']'' and 2008's '']''.

	==Early life and career (1950–1971)==		==Early life and career (1950–1971)==
			Becker is the greatest boyfriend ever.
	Becker was born in ], New York City and grew up in ] and ]. He graduated from ] in ] in the class of 1967.<ref name=sweet>Sweet, Brian. , p. 11. ], 2000. ISBN 0-7119-8279-1. Accessed June 18, 2009. "Walter Becker was born on Monday, February 20, 1950, in the Forest Hills area of Queens in New York."</ref> After starting out on saxophone, he switched to guitar and received instruction in ] technique from neighbor ].

	Becker met his long-time musical partner, Donald Fagen, while attending Bard College in ]. While at Bard, Becker and Fagen formed and played in a number of groups, including The Leather Canary, which also included fellow student ] on drums. At the time, Chase called the group "a bad ] band."<ref name="I'm Chevy Chase...and You're Not">Fruchter, Rena. ''I'm Chevy Chase...and You're Not''. Virgin Books, 2007.</ref> Becker left the school in 1969 prior to completing his degree and moved with Fagen to ], where the two began to build a career as a songwriting duo. This period included a stint with ] under pseudonyms and the composition of the soundtrack to '']'', a ] film released in 1971.

	==With Steely Dan (1971–1981)==		==With Steely Dan (1971–1981)==
	{{main\|Steely Dan}}		{{main\|Steely Dan}}

	Later in 1971, the duo moved to California and formed Steely Dan, which was initially ~~formed~~ as a full group. Their initial lineup was completed by guitarists ], ], and drummer ], all of whom the two had met prior to their relocation. With Becker acting initially as bassist, the group spent the following three years touring and recording before becoming a studio-centered project ~~in 1974~~ anchored around Becker and Fagen's songwriting. In addition to co-writing all of the band's material, Becker played bass and/or guitar on many of the band's tracks, as well as providing occasional backing vocals and arrangements.		Later in 1971, the duo moved to California and formed Steely Dan, which was initially conducted as a full group. Their initial lineup was completed by guitarists ], ], and drummer ], all of whom the two had met prior to their relocation. With Becker acting initially as bassist, the group spent the following three years touring and recording before becoming a studio-centered project anchored around Becker and Fagen's songwriting in 1974. In addition to co-writing all of the band's material, Becker played bass and/or guitar on many of the band's tracks, as well as providing occasional backing vocals and arrangements.

	Despite the group's success, particularly surrounding '']'' in 1977, Becker suffered from numerous personal setbacks during this period, including addiction to narcotics.<ref name=sweet /> After the duo returned to New York in 1978, Becker's girlfriend, Karen ~~Roberta~~ Stanley, died of a drug overdose ~~in his apartment on January 30~~, resulting in a ] against him.<ref name=sweet /> Not long after, Becker was hit by a Manhattan taxi while crossing the street and forced to walk with crutches.<ref name=sweet /> His personal exhaustion was exacerbated by commercial pressures and the complicated recording process surrounding the final release of Steely Dan's initial career, 1980's '']'', leading the duo to suspend their partnership in June 1981.		Despite the group's success, particularly surrounding '']'' in 1977, Becker suffered from numerous personal setbacks during this period, including addiction to ].<ref name=sweet /> After the duo returned to New York in 1978, Becker's girlfriend Karen Stanley died of a drug overdose, resulting in a large ] volleyed against him.<ref name=sweet /> Not long after, Becker was hit by a Manhattan taxi while crossing the street and forced to walk with crutches.<ref name=sweet /> His personal exhaustion was exacerbated by commercial pressures and the complicated recording process surrounding the final release of Steely Dan's initial career, 1980's '']'', leading the duo to suspend their partnership in June 1981.

	==Work in record production (1981–1993)==		==Work in record production (1981–1993)==
	Following Steely Dan's breakup, Becker moved to the Hawaiian island of ] and ceased using ~~drugs~~.<ref>{{cite web \|url= http://archive.salon.com/ent/music/feature/2000/03/14/steely/\|title= Salon.com: Sophisticated skank\|accessdate=June 19, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url= http://www.granatino.com/sdresource/18crom.htm\|title= LA Times Interview with Steely Dan: Return of the Nightfly\|accessdate=June 19, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url= http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/on_second_thought/steely-dan-gaucho.htm\|title= Stylus Magazine review: Steely Dan – Gaucho – On Second Though\|accessdate=June 19, 2008}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, he began a career as a record producer, overseeing records by ], ], and ], including the latter's 1987 Norwegian single, "]".		Following Steely Dan's breakup, Becker moved to the Hawaiian island of ] and ceased using narcotics.<ref>{{cite web \|url= http://archive.salon.com/ent/music/feature/2000/03/14/steely/\|title= Salon.com: Sophisticated skank\|accessdate=June 19, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url= http://www.granatino.com/sdresource/18crom.htm\|title= LA Times Interview with Steely Dan: Return of the Nightfly\|accessdate=June 19, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web \|url= http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/on_second_thought/steely-dan-gaucho.htm\|title= Stylus Magazine review: Steely Dan - Gaucho - On Second Though\|accessdate=June 19, 2008}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, he began a career as a record producer, overseeing records by ], ], and ], including the latter's 1987 Norwegian single, "]".

	Some of Becker's most involved activity from this period came with the group ]. He is credited as one of five official members of the band on the sleeve of their 1985 album '']'', which he produced. ~~With~~ ~~longtime Steely Dan collaborator ] as engineer, Becker~~ also produced tracks on ~~the~~ 1989 ~~China Crisis~~ album '']'', although he is not credited as a band member on that release.~~<ref>{{cite~~ ~~web \|url=http://www.discogs.com/China-Crisis-Diary-Of-A-Hollow-Horse/release/1303709 \|title=China Crisis – Diary of a Hollow Horse \|accessdate=June 16,~~ ~~2013}}</ref>~~		Some of Becker's most involved activity from this period came with the group ]. He is credited as one of five official members of the band on the sleeve of their 1985 album '']'', which he produced. He also produced tracks on their 1989 album '']'', although he is not credited as a band member on that release.

	Becker reunited with Fagen briefly to collaborate on the debut album of singer ], 1986's '']''. This led to several low-key and non-professional collaborations, including several aborted songwriting sessions and Becker's stint in 1991 with Fagen's ], that would ultimately lead to their proper reunion two years later.		Becker reunited with Fagen briefly to collaborate on the debut album of singer ], 1986's '']''. This led to several low-key and non-professional collaborations, including several aborted songwriting sessions and Becker's stint in 1991 with Fagen's ], that would ultimately lead to their proper reunion two years later.

	==Steely Dan reformation; subsequent activity (1993–present)==		==Steely Dan reformation; subsequent activity (1993–present)==
	Their partnership properly resumed in 1993 when they undertook a new tour as Steely Dan, their first in 19 years. Becker also produced Fagen's album '']'' in 1993. In turn, Fagen co-produced Becker's solo debut album '']'' in 1994.		Their partnership properly resumed in 1993 when they undertook a new tour as Steely Dan, their first in 19 years. Becker also produced Fagen's album '']'' in 1993. In turn, Fagen co-produced Becker's belated solo debut album '']'' in 1994.

	Steely Dan continued touring, and their work on new material resulted in their first studio album in two decades, ''Two Against Nature'', released in 2000. The album won four ]s, including ]. In 2001 the duo was inducted into the ], and also received Honorary Doctor of Music degrees from ], which they accepted in person.<ref></ref> The next Steely Dan record, '']'' followed in 2003, featuring Becker's bass and electric guitar work, as well as the first studio Steely Dan track with a lead vocal by Becker, "Slang of Ages". The band spent the following years touring behind their back catalog.		Steely Dan continued touring, and their work on new material resulted in their first studio album in two decades, ''Two Against Nature'', released in 2000. The album won four ]s, including ]. In 2001 the duo was inducted into the ], and also received Honorary Doctor of Music degrees from ], which they accepted in person.<ref></ref> The next Steely Dan record, '']'' followed in 2003, featuring Becker's bass and electric guitar work, as well as the first studio Steely Dan track with a lead vocal by Becker, "Slang of Ages". The band spent the following years touring behind their back catalog.

	In 2005, Becker co-produced and played bass on the ] album ''All One'', and played solo guitar on the title track of ]'s album ''Tough on Crime'' from this same year. ]'s 2006 album '']'' featured the single "]", co-written by Becker, Peyroux and producer ]. Peyroux's 2009 album '']'' also contains two songs co-written by Becker, "]" and the title-track "Bare Bones". Becker was inducted into the ]<ref></ref> in 2008.		In 2005, Becker co-produced and played bass on the ] album ''All One'', and played solo guitar on the title track of ]'s album ''Tough on Crime'' from this same year. ]'s 2006 album '']'' featured the single "]", co-written by Becker, Peyroux and producer ]. Peyroux's 2009 album '']'' also contains two songs co-written by Becker, "]" and the title-track "Bare Bones". Becker was inducted into the ]<ref></ref> in 2008.

	His second solo album, '']'', was released on June 10, 2008, fourteen years after its predecessor.<ref></ref> The album prominently featured Becker's bass playing, performances by much of the Steely Dan backing band, and work by producer Larry Klein, who received co-composition credits on all but one song. The songs were heavily inspired by ] and other ].<ref></ref>		His second solo album, '']'', was released on June 10, 2008, fourteen years after its predecessor.<ref></ref> The album prominently featured Becker's bass playing, performances by much of the Steely Dan backing band, and work by producer Larry Klein, who received co-composition credits on all but one song. The songs were heavily inspired by ] and other ].<ref></ref>

	==Solo discography==		==Solo discography==
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	* Complete discography		* Complete discography

			{{Walter Becker}}
	{{Steely Dan}}		{{Steely Dan}}
	{{Grammy Award for Album of the Year 2000s}}		{{Grammy Award for Album of the Year 2000s}}

	{{Authority control\|VIAF=85528851}}		{{Authority control\|VIAF=85528851}}
			{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. -->

	{{Persondata
	\| NAME = Becker, Walter		\| NAME = Becker, Walter
	\| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =		\| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
	\| SHORT DESCRIPTION = ~~American musician~~		\| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
	\| DATE OF BIRTH = February 20, 1950		\| DATE OF BIRTH = February 20, 1950
	\| PLACE OF BIRTH =		\| PLACE OF BIRTH =
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Revision as of 22:41, 24 January 2015

For other people named Walter Becker, see Walter Becker (disambiguation).

Walter Becker
Birth name	Walter Carl Becker
Born	(1950-02-20) 20 February 1950 (age 74)
Origin	Queens, New York
Genres	Rock, jazz/fusion
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter, record producer, musician
Instrument(s)	Bass, guitar, vocals
Years active	1969–present
Labels	ABC Records, MCA Records, Giant, Reprise, Warner Bros. Records

Website	Official Site

Musical artist

Walter Carl Becker (born February 20, 1950) is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as the co-founder, guitarist, bassist and co-songwriter in Steely Dan.

Becker met his future songwriting partner Donald Fagen while studying at Bard College. After a brief period of activity in New York, the two relocated to California in 1971 and formed the nucleus of Steely Dan, who enjoyed a critically and commercially successful ten-year career. Following the group's disbanding, Becker relocated to Hawaii and reduced his musical activity, working primarily as a record producer.

Becker and Fagen reformed Steely Dan in 1993 and have remained active, most notably including their 2000 Two Against Nature album, which won four Grammy Awards. Becker has also released two solo albums, 1994's 11 Tracks of Whack and 2008's Circus Money.

Early life and career (1950–1971)

Becker is the greatest boyfriend ever.

With Steely Dan (1971–1981)

Main article: Steely Dan

Later in 1971, the duo moved to California and formed Steely Dan, which was initially conducted as a full group. Their initial lineup was completed by guitarists Denny Dias, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter, and drummer Jim Hodder, all of whom the two had met prior to their relocation. With Becker acting initially as bassist, the group spent the following three years touring and recording before becoming a studio-centered project anchored around Becker and Fagen's songwriting in 1974. In addition to co-writing all of the band's material, Becker played bass and/or guitar on many of the band's tracks, as well as providing occasional backing vocals and arrangements.

Despite the group's success, particularly surrounding Aja in 1977, Becker suffered from numerous personal setbacks during this period, including addiction to narcotics. After the duo returned to New York in 1978, Becker's girlfriend Karen Stanley died of a drug overdose, resulting in a large wrongful death suit volleyed against him. Not long after, Becker was hit by a Manhattan taxi while crossing the street and forced to walk with crutches. His personal exhaustion was exacerbated by commercial pressures and the complicated recording process surrounding the final release of Steely Dan's initial career, 1980's Gaucho, leading the duo to suspend their partnership in June 1981.

Work in record production (1981–1993)

Following Steely Dan's breakup, Becker moved to the Hawaiian island of Maui and ceased using narcotics. Shortly thereafter, he began a career as a record producer, overseeing records by Rickie Lee Jones, Michael Franks, and Fra Lippo Lippi, including the latter's 1987 Norwegian single, "Angel".

Some of Becker's most involved activity from this period came with the group China Crisis. He is credited as one of five official members of the band on the sleeve of their 1985 album Flaunt the Imperfection, which he produced. He also produced tracks on their 1989 album Diary of a Hollow Horse, although he is not credited as a band member on that release.

Becker reunited with Fagen briefly to collaborate on the debut album of singer Rosie Vela, 1986's Zazu. This led to several low-key and non-professional collaborations, including several aborted songwriting sessions and Becker's stint in 1991 with Fagen's New York Rock and Soul Revue, that would ultimately lead to their proper reunion two years later.

Steely Dan reformation; subsequent activity (1993–present)

Their partnership properly resumed in 1993 when they undertook a new tour as Steely Dan, their first in 19 years. Becker also produced Fagen's album Kamakiriad in 1993. In turn, Fagen co-produced Becker's belated solo debut album 11 Tracks of Whack in 1994.

Steely Dan continued touring, and their work on new material resulted in their first studio album in two decades, Two Against Nature, released in 2000. The album won four Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. In 2001 the duo was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and also received Honorary Doctor of Music degrees from Berklee College of Music, which they accepted in person. The next Steely Dan record, Everything Must Go followed in 2003, featuring Becker's bass and electric guitar work, as well as the first studio Steely Dan track with a lead vocal by Becker, "Slang of Ages". The band spent the following years touring behind their back catalog.

In 2005, Becker co-produced and played bass on the Krishna Das album All One, and played solo guitar on the title track of Rebecca Pidgeon's album Tough on Crime from this same year. Madeleine Peyroux's 2006 album Half the Perfect World featured the single "I'm All Right", co-written by Becker, Peyroux and producer Larry Klein. Peyroux's 2009 album Bare Bones also contains two songs co-written by Becker, "You Can't do Me" and the title-track "Bare Bones". Becker was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2008.

His second solo album, Circus Money, was released on June 10, 2008, fourteen years after its predecessor. The album prominently featured Becker's bass playing, performances by much of the Steely Dan backing band, and work by producer Larry Klein, who received co-composition credits on all but one song. The songs were heavily inspired by reggae and other Jamaican music.

Solo discography

11 Tracks of Whack (1994)
Circus Money (2008)

References

^ Cite error: The named reference sweet was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
"Salon.com: Sophisticated skank". Retrieved June 19, 2008.
"LA Times Interview with Steely Dan: Return of the Nightfly". Retrieved June 19, 2008.
"Stylus Magazine review: Steely Dan - Gaucho - On Second Though". Retrieved June 19, 2008.
Berklee College of Music: Commencement 2001 - Photographs, retrieved 15 October 2007
Limusichalloffame.org
Walterbecker.com
Mixonline.com

External links

Walterbecker.com Walter Becker's official website
Steelydan.com Steely Dan's official website
Members.home.nl Complete discography

Template:Walter Becker

v t e Steely Dan
Donald Fagen Walter Becker Jeff "Skunk" Baxter Denny Dias Jim Hodder David Palmer Royce Jones Michael McDonald Jeff Porcaro
Studio albums	Can't Buy a Thrill (1972) Countdown to Ecstasy (1973) Pretzel Logic (1974) Katy Lied (1975) The Royal Scam (1976) Aja (1977) Gaucho (1980) Two Against Nature (2000) Everything Must Go (2003)
Live albums	Alive in America (1995) Plush TV Jazz-Rock Party (2000) Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz with Steely Dan (2005) Northeast Corridor (2021)
Singles	"Dallas" "Do It Again" "Reelin' In the Years" "Show Biz Kids" "My Old School" "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" "Pretzel Logic" "Bad Sneakers" "Kid Charlemagne" "Peg" "Deacon Blues" "FM (No Static at All)" "Josie" "Hey Nineteen" "Time Out of Mind" "Cousin Dupree"
Album tracks	"Aja" "Any Major Dude Will Tell You" "Dirty Work" "Only a Fool Would Say That"
Compilations	Greatest Hits (1978) Steely Dan (1978) Gold (1982/91) A Decade of Steely Dan (1985) Reelin' In the Years (1985) Do It Again (1987) Citizen Steely Dan (1993) Then and Now (1993) Showbiz Kids (2000) The Definitive Collection (2006) Found Studio Tracks (2007)
Related articles	Discography Gary Katz Members Roger Nichols Yacht rock You've Got to Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat
Category

v t e Grammy Award for Album of the Year
1950s	The Music from Peter Gunn – Henry Mancini (1958) Come Dance with Me! – Frank Sinatra (1959)
1960s	The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart – Bob Newhart (1960) Judy at Carnegie Hall – Judy Garland (1961) The First Family – Vaughn Meader (1962) The Barbra Streisand Album – Barbra Streisand (1963) Getz/Gilberto – Stan Getz & João Gilberto (1964) September of My Years – Frank Sinatra (1965) A Man and His Music – Frank Sinatra (1966) Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles (1967) By the Time I Get to Phoenix – Glen Campbell (1968) Blood, Sweat & Tears – Blood, Sweat & Tears (1969)
1970s	Bridge over Troubled Water – Simon & Garfunkel (1970) Tapestry – Carole King (1971) The Concert for Bangladesh – George Harrison & Friends (1972) Innervisions – Stevie Wonder (1973) Fulfillingness' First Finale – Stevie Wonder (1974) Still Crazy After All These Years – Paul Simon (1975) Songs in the Key of Life – Stevie Wonder (1976) Rumours – Fleetwood Mac (1977) Saturday Night Fever – Various Artists (1978) 52nd Street – Billy Joel (1979)
1980s	Christopher Cross – Christopher Cross (1980) Double Fantasy – John Lennon & Yoko Ono (1981) Toto IV – Toto (1982) Thriller – Michael Jackson (1983) Can't Slow Down – Lionel Richie (1984) No Jacket Required – Phil Collins (1985) Graceland – Paul Simon (1986) The Joshua Tree – U2 (1987) Faith – George Michael (1988) Nick of Time – Bonnie Raitt (1989)
1990s	Back on the Block – Quincy Jones and Various Artists (1990) Unforgettable... with Love – Natalie Cole (1991) Unplugged – Eric Clapton (1992) The Bodyguard – Whitney Houston (1993) MTV Unplugged – Tony Bennett (1994) Jagged Little Pill – Alanis Morissette (1995) Falling into You – Celine Dion (1996) Time Out of Mind – Bob Dylan (1997) The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – Lauryn Hill (1998) Supernatural – Santana (1999)
2000s	Two Against Nature – Steely Dan (2000) O Brother, Where Art Thou? – Various Artists (2001) Come Away with Me – Norah Jones (2002) Speakerboxxx/The Love Below – Outkast (2003) Genius Loves Company – Ray Charles & Various Artists (2004) How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb – U2 (2005) Taking the Long Way – Dixie Chicks (2006) River: The Joni Letters – Herbie Hancock (2007) Raising Sand – Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (2008) Fearless – Taylor Swift (2009)
2010s	The Suburbs – Arcade Fire (2010) 21 – Adele (2011) Babel – Mumford & Sons (2012) Random Access Memories – Daft Punk (2013) Morning Phase – Beck (2014) 1989 – Taylor Swift (2015) 25 – Adele (2016) 24K Magic – Bruno Mars (2017) Golden Hour – Kacey Musgraves (2018) When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? – Billie Eilish (2019)
2020s	Folklore – Taylor Swift (2020) We Are – Jon Batiste (2021) Harry's House – Harry Styles (2022) Midnights – Taylor Swift (2023)

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