RIP Walter Becker

[AstroZon]

Very sad to see him leave us. Steely Dan was one of my favorite bands ever. RIP

 

[Pano]

Oh no! Sad news. He was also a fan of open baffle speakers. Only 67 years old.

 

[soundchaser]

RIP Walter.

You gave us some great music.

 

[Pano]

Rickie Lee Jones wrote about him today in Rolling Stone. It's more about hos influence on her, than about Walter, but is worth a look.
Read Rickie Lee Jones' Poignant Tribute to Walter Becker - Rolling Stone

 

[mlloyd1]

Great music.
RIP Walter ...

mlloyd1

 

[ticknpop]

Great band, great loss, my high school years would not have been the same

 

[Pano]

I remember when they were guests on Marian McPartland's "Piano Jazz" radio show. Here it is.
Steely Dan On Piano Jazz : NPR

 

[Jim the Oldbie]

Thanks for that link, Pano. I missed that show at the time, very nice.

Walter was such a brilliant, understated guy. Like many great musicians, he seemed to have a rare understanding of the space between the notes.

Farewell, Walter.

 

[kec]

I was at Amoeba Sunday when they were cranking out some Steely Dan. Without a doubt, one of my favorite bands. Rest in peace Walter.

 

[Dustboy]

Here's an article that outlines why it took me so long to get into Steely Dan:

Why People Hate to Love Steely Dan, But Shouldn’t | Saving Country Music

A few years ago a friend turned me on to the "Yacht Rock" sub-genre (Hall & Oates, Doobie Bros, etc), which I explored as a novelty, but the Steely Dan songs kept getting stuck in my ears. I soon realized Donald and Walter were deviant musical geniuses. Somehow they made music that is breezy and entertaining on the surface yet challenges you to new discoveries with each listening. Still need to find copies of Aja and Katy Lied on vinyl.