Walter Becker
Born: 1950-02-20 in Queens, New York, USA
Died: 2017-09-03
Known For: Acting
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.
Filmography
2023
- Only Time Will Tell ... (Music)
2016
- Steely Dan: Tour 2016 as guitar
2013
- Steely Dan: Dilectus as Guitar
2010
- Steely Dan: Perfection In Performance as guitar
2008
- Steely Dan: Think Fast in Cincinnati as Performer
- Steely Dan: In Concert as guitar
2007
2003
- Steely Dan: Blood Orange County as guitar
- Steely Dan: Confessions as Self
2000
- Steely Dan: Two Against Nature as Lead Guitar
- Steely Dan: Live at Pine Knob Theatre as guitar
1999
- Classic Albums: Steely Dan - Aja as Self
1997
- Classic Albums as Self
1993
- Steely Dan: Alive and Kickin' as guitar
1971
- You've Got To Walk It Like You Talk It or You'll Lose That Beat ... (Original Music Composer)
1959
- The Grammys as Self