Rock Musician. A guitarist and bassist, he was a founding member of the music ensemble Steely Dan. Born and raised in Queens, New York, he was influenced by many jazz greats including Charlie "Bird" Parker and Miles Davis which led to his taking up the saxophone. After the popularity and versatility of rock music grew, he gravitated to the guitar. Following graduation from Stuyvesant High School, he enrolled at Bard University and it was during this period when he met Donald Fagen. The result was the pair forming several different bands and after Fagen's departure from college, Becker soon followed. Their break came when they joined the group "Jay and the Americans" for a brief time as backing musicians. This led to their relocation to Los Angeles and the formation of Steely Dan. They secured a contract with the ABC Records label and and released their debut album "Can't Buy a Thrill" (1972), which contained the hit singles, "Do It Again," "Dirty Work" and "Reelin' In the Years." Further albums include: "Countdown to Ecstasy" (1973), "Pretzel Logic" (1974), "Katy Lied" (1975), "The Royal Scam" (1976), "Aja" (1977), "Gaucho" (1980), "Two Against Nature" (2000) and "Everything Must Go" (2003). Becker's solo efforts include "11 Tracks of Whack" (1994) and "Circus Money" (2008). In 2001, Steely Dan were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2024, Becker and Fagen were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Rock Musician. A guitarist and bassist, he was a founding member of the music ensemble Steely Dan. Born and raised in Queens, New York, he was influenced by many jazz greats including Charlie "Bird" Parker and Miles Davis which led to his taking up the saxophone. After the popularity and versatility of rock music grew, he gravitated to the guitar. Following graduation from Stuyvesant High School, he enrolled at Bard University and it was during this period when he met Donald Fagen. The result was the pair forming several different bands and after Fagen's departure from college, Becker soon followed. Their break came when they joined the group "Jay and the Americans" for a brief time as backing musicians. This led to their relocation to Los Angeles and the formation of Steely Dan. They secured a contract with the ABC Records label and and released their debut album "Can't Buy a Thrill" (1972), which contained the hit singles, "Do It Again," "Dirty Work" and "Reelin' In the Years." Further albums include: "Countdown to Ecstasy" (1973), "Pretzel Logic" (1974), "Katy Lied" (1975), "The Royal Scam" (1976), "Aja" (1977), "Gaucho" (1980), "Two Against Nature" (2000) and "Everything Must Go" (2003). Becker's solo efforts include "11 Tracks of Whack" (1994) and "Circus Money" (2008). In 2001, Steely Dan were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2024, Becker and Fagen were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Bio by: C.S.
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