The death of Steely Dan guitarist Walter Becker prompted an outpouring of admiration and mourning from his many fans across the spectrum of entertainment, from directors and talk show host to fellow musicians.
“We liked a lot of the same things: jazz (from the twenties through the mid-sixties), W.C. Fields, the Marx Brothers, science fiction, Nabokov, Kurt Vonnegut, Thomas Berger, and Robert Altman films come to mind. Also soul music and Chicago blues,” shared Donald Fagen, Becker’s longtime Steely Dan partner, keyboardist for the band.
Such eclectic tastes made the duo’s music a magnet for filmdom’s irony fans: Bobby and Peter Farrelly used songs from the “Aja” album as a plot driver for the 2000 film “Me, Myself & Irene.” Science fiction author William Gibson called Becker “one of my favorite writers ever.”
Steely Dan’s songs were the “soundtrack to a lotta good times,” tweeted Joe Scarborough, guitarist and host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
Grammy scripter and erstwhile Rolling Stone writer David Wild said Becker “opened up my mind musically and made being a wiseass a brave act of Pretzel Logic.”
On the morning of his death, Becker’s homepage, WalterBecker.com, was switched to a simple diptych featuring an image of him as a child alongside one where the adult musician’s impish charm was unchanged.
Here are some of the reminisces across social media in tribute to a man who left a lasting impact on pop and rock.
Guitarist Larry Carlton, who played on four of Steely Dan’s classic albums, called him a musical icon.
Very very sad this morning. Heard about the passing of Walter Becker. Musical icon and wonderful guy. My… https://t.co/7okP1k4pVX
— Larry Carlton (@TheLarryCarlton) September 3, 2017
“You changed my life,” said Ryan Adamson Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYliRmHlojr/
Saying Farewell to Walter Becker of Steely Dan https://t.co/xvwnmNGGdp pic.twitter.com/Lmldq1SPvo
— Cameron Crowe (@CameronCrowe) September 3, 2017
#RIPWalterBecker Very sad news. They're one of my favorite bands. https://t.co/u2qmSbZp3Z
— Nile Rodgers (@nilerodgers) September 3, 2017
Holy crap, Walter Becker has died (per NYT). Half of most amazing musical duo since Lennon/McCartney. RIP.
— Harry Shearer (@theharryshearer) September 3, 2017
"I cried when I wrote this song. Sue me if I play too long." RIP, Walter Becker. pic.twitter.com/DkhTlgQYxr
— Harlan Coben (@HarlanCoben) September 3, 2017
rest in peace WALTER BECKER, one half of the team i aspire to everytime I sit down at a piano. thank you for your unparalleled contribution
— Mark Ronson (@MarkRonson) September 3, 2017
Walter Becker, RIP. Thanks for decades of great music. Helluva soundtrack to a lot of good times. pic.twitter.com/IdqHiV7Chl
— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) September 3, 2017
Steely Dan taught taught me that you can be smart and goofy. Sarcastic and heartfelt. Hyperbolic and truthful. #RIPWalterBecker
— Mark Duplass (@MarkDuplass) September 3, 2017
"Saw your old lady in the park today
The legendary smile is wearing thin" https://t.co/o1gtxeT8Qe— William Gibson (@GreatDismal) September 3, 2017
So, so sad to hear this news…
SD played locally a few years ago, they were as amazing as ever… I asked to go… https://t.co/03hyGE5a2Z— Julian Lennon (@JulianLennon) September 3, 2017
Said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow: “With Steely Dan partner Donald Fagen, Walter Becker created some of the smartest, most artful rock to ever hit the charts. Brimming with irony and filed in with brush strokes of jazz and R&B, three of the group’s albums—1977’s Aja, 1980’s Gaucho, and 2000’s Two Against Nature—were nominated for the Album Of The Year GRAMMY®, with the latter winning the award. Walter and Steely Dan set the standard for sophisticated progressive pop, and he will be greatly missed. Our condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues.”