Donald Fagen, born January 10, 1948, in Passaic, New Jersey, was introduced to classical piano at a young age. During his studies in English at Bard College, he crossed paths with Walter Becker, a guitarist born February 5, 1950, in Brooklyn, New York. Sharing a passion for classical jazz, they decided to collaborate as musicians, performing as backup tour musicians for Jay and the Americans.
Their musical talents caught the attention of ABC Records executive Gary Katz, who signed them to a recording contract under the name Steely Dan. The duo utilized various studio musicians to create their critically acclaimed albums from 1972 to 1980. After parting ways, Fagen and Becker remained close friends.
Fagen's musical output slowed in the 1980s, with only one well-received album in 1982. However, his efforts to revive his career in the 1990s, including working with the New York Rock & Soul Revue, led to the production of a Grammy-nominated album, Kamakiriad, in 1993. The album was produced by his long-time musical companion, Walter Becker, who also recorded a solo album, 11 Tracks of Whack, in 1994.
The success of their respective projects prompted Fagen and Becker to reunite Steely Dan, embarking on a live concert tour from 1994 to 1995 with a new group of backup musicians. Following the tour, they decided to record a new studio album, Two Against Nature, which received widespread acclaim and earned two Grammy awards, as well as a third for the song "Cousin Dupree."
Fagen and Becker toured extensively in 2000 and are rumored to continue performing as Steely Dan.
