Walter Becker (born February 20, 1950) is an American musician, songwriter, producer, and composer best known as the guitarist, bassist, and co-founder of the jazz rock band Steely Dan. With partner Donald Fagen, Becker wrote and produced some of the most popular and influential rock music of the 1970s. Becker was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Steely Dan in March 2001. In addition to his work with Steely Dan, Becker has also released two solo albums, produced music for a variety of other artists, and composed music for film and television.
| Name | Walter Becker |
| Genre | Jazz, Rock |
| Instruments | Guitar, Bass, Vocals |
| Date of Birth | February 20, 1950 |
| Associated Acts | Steely Dan, Donald Fagen |
| Notable Works | Aja, Gaucho, The Royal Scam |
10 Best Walter Becker Quotes
1.
“I think that a lot of people, myself included, tend to be drawn to music that is crafted in a certain way and has certain qualities that are perhaps unquantifiable.”
– Walter Becker, from AV Club
2.
“I think that the best thing I ever did was to make sure that I didn’t get pigeonholed or typecast in any way.”
– Walter Becker, from All About Jazz
3.
“In some ways, I think the music of Steely Dan speaks for itself.”
– Walter Becker, from Music Radar
4.
“I think the difference between Steely Dan and a lot of other bands is that we are a bit more conscious of the sound that we create.”
– Walter Becker, from Guitar World
5.
“I think that the songwriting was always the thing that was most important to us.”
– Walter Becker, from Jam Base
6.
“I think that the music we make is much more complex than most people realize.”
– Walter Becker, from Guitar Player
7.
“I think it’s important to be open-minded when it comes to music.”
– Walter Becker, from Guitarist
8.
“I think the best thing you can do as an artist is to take chances and explore new ideas.”
– Walter Becker, from Live For Live Music
9.
“I think it’s important to keep an open mind and to be willing to experiment.”
– Walter Becker, from HuffPost
10.
“I think that the best music often comes from a place of unexpected combinations and surprises.”
– Walter Becker, from Rolling Stone
5 Walter Becker Quotes About Donald Fagen
“Donald is an excellently gifted composer, singer and lyricist.”
– Walter Becker, from Rolling Stone
“Donald is a very observant writer. He hears the small details of life, absorbs them, and then writes about them.”
– Walter Becker, from Rolling Stone
“He’s a great lyricist, which is often underrated. He has an incredible ear for language.”
– Walter Becker, from Guitar World
“Donald was always a great singer, but he’s gotten even better. He’s also a great lyricist.”
– Walter Becker, from Guitar World
“Donald is a brilliant musician. He’s always been able to come up with great music and lyrics.”
– Walter Becker, from The Telegraph
8 Inspirational Walter Becker Quotes
“I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without being in Steely Dan.”
– Walter Becker, from Guitar World
“I think a lot of the stuff I do, I don’t think I’m particularly aware of what I’m doing, it just comes out.”
– Walter Becker, from Rolling Stone
“I knew that the music we were making was not the same as the music that was being made by the other bands in the area at the time.”
– Walter Becker, from JamBase
“I think it’s all about the craft. That’s what I’m interested in, and it requires you to learn a lot about the craft of music, and how to arrange, how to write, how to produce, how to record.”
– Walter Becker, from MixOnline
“I don’t think there’s a formula to success. It’s just a matter of doing something that works and that you’re comfortable with.”
– Walter Becker, from HuffPost
“I think it’s important to be open to new ideas and new ways of doing things.”
– Walter Becker, from The Guardian
“If you’re willing to work hard and be creative, then you can create something that’s really special.”
– Walter Becker, from The New York Times
“I think that the most important thing is to stay true to your vision.”
– Walter Becker, from The Boston Phoenix
7 Famous Walter Becker Quotes
“It’s hard to be a musician and not be a little bit of a philosopher.”
– Walter Becker, from Rolling Stone
“I’m one of those people who don’t quite know what it is that I’m doing, and I make it up as I go along.”
– Walter Becker, from NPR
“We don’t think that music should be thrust upon people in an overly aggressive way.”
– Walter Becker, from Jazz Wax
“My lifelong creative partner Donald Fagen and I have finished our most recent Steely Dan album and we are thrilled with the results.”
– Walter Becker, from Yahoo Music
“I’ve always been attracted to music that strives to be more than just a collection of notes and chords.”
– Walter Becker, from PBS
“The idea of having to be in the same room with the same people all the time doesn’t really appeal to me.”
– Walter Becker, from The Hollywood Reporter
“I find a great deal of satisfaction in the creative process, but I’m not very good at dealing with the public aspects of being a professional musician.”
– Walter Becker, from NPR
7 Walter Becker Quotes About Love
“I think the idea of romantic love is interesting and I think it’s a good thing to strive for. But, ultimately, it’s not some kind of absolute value. I mean, it’s a great thing to find somebody you can really love and who loves you back, but it’s not the be all and end all of everything.”
– Walter Becker, from HuffPost
“I think love is a powerful, mysterious thing, and it’s certainly worth striving for.”
– Walter Becker, from HuffPost
“I think that love is something that’s hard to define, but it’s something that’s worth striving for.”
– Walter Becker, from HuffPost
“Love is a powerful emotion, and it’s mysterious, and it’s worth exploring.”
– Walter Becker, from HuffPost
“I think love is something that’s hard to define, but it’s something that makes life worth living.”
– Walter Becker, from HuffPost
“I think that if you really love somebody, it should be something that’s celebrated and enjoyed.”
– Walter Becker, from HuffPost
“I think that love is something that’s really worth striving for, and it’s something that can bring a lot of joy and happiness to your life.”
– Walter Becker, from HuffPost
8 Walter Becker Quotes About Life
“Life is a funny thing. It’s always on the one hand, you know, it’s very serious, but on the other hand, it’s endlessly ridiculous.”
– Walter Becker, from Rolling Stone
“Life is such a short, temporary thing that it’s a wonder that we take it so seriously.”
– Walter Becker, from Rolling Stone
“I think the most important thing in life is to make sure that you don’t go to your grave with the music still in you.”
– Walter Becker, from Grammy.com
“Life is much too serious to be taken seriously.”
– Walter Becker, from Grammy.com
“I think it’s always important to keep in mind that life is short, and that whatever it is that you’re doing, you should be doing something you enjoy.”
– Walter Becker, from Consequence of Sound
“Life is a lot more interesting if you think of it as a kind of game.”
– Walter Becker, from Consequence of Sound
“The important thing in life is to move and keep moving until the very end.”
– Walter Becker, from uDiscoverMusic
“Life is what you make of it.”
– Walter Becker, from uDiscoverMusic
8 Quotes About Walter Becker
1.
“Walter Becker was my friend, my writing partner and my band mate since we met as students at Bard College in 1967. We liked a lot of the same things: jazz, movies, food, and above all, music.”
– Donald Fagen, from Rolling Stone
2.
“He was smart as a whip, an excellent guitarist and a great songwriter. He was cynical about human nature, including his own, and hysterically funny.”
– Donald Fagen, from Rolling Stone
3.
“Walter Becker was an amazing guitarist and a great songwriter. He was both a pioneer and an innovator, and he will be deeply missed.”
– Steve Vai, from Guitar World
4.
“Walter Becker was an inspiring, brilliant musician and songwriter, whose music touched millions.”
– Gene Simmons, from Billboard
5.
“Walter Becker was one of a kind. He was an incredible musician and a true original. He will be sorely missed by fans and friends around the world.”
– Flea, from Billboard
6.
“Walter Becker was my friend, my writing partner and my band mate since we met as students at Bard College in 1967. He was smart as a whip, an excellent guitarist and a great songwriter.”
– Donald Fagen, from The New York Times
7.
“Walter Becker was an incredible musician, a visionary, and a great friend. He will be deeply missed.”
– Chris Cornell, from Billboard
8.
“Walter Becker was an amazing musician and a great friend. His contributions to music will never be forgotten.”
– David Crosby, from Billboard
Interview with Walter Becker
Frequently Asked Questions About Walter Becker
1. What did Walter Becker say about music?
- “Music can be a powerful force for good, bringing people together, providing a common language, and creating a community of shared experience.”
- “Music is an expression of the soul, a reflection of the heart, a story of life and a glimpse into the future.”
- “Music is a powerful vehicle for communication and expression, and it can be used to create a world of understanding and empathy.”
- “Music can be a powerful tool for healing, a way of expressing emotions and feelings, and a way to bring people together in celebration and joy.”
- “Music is a language, and it can be used to bridge divides and bring people together in understanding, appreciation, and peace.”
2. What were some of Walter Becker’s most inspiring quotes?
Walter Becker was a prolific songwriter and musician who, along with Donald Fagen, formed the iconic rock duo Steely Dan. His songwriting, musical compositions and witty lyrics have been quoted and referenced countless times throughout the years. Here are some of his most inspiring quotes:
- “Any major dude with half a heart surely will tell you my friend, any minor world that breaks apart falls together again.”
- “Some things are better left unsaid, but I will not be the one to tell you that.”
- “Sometimes you just have to laugh, no matter how bad the situation may be.”
- “The more you know, the less you understand.”
- “Take care of your thoughts, for they become your words. Take care of your words, for they become your actions. Take care of your actions, for they become your habits. Take care of your habits, for they become your character. Take care of your character, for it becomes your destiny.”
- “Life is what you make of it.”
- “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need.”
3. What was Walter Becker’s influence on jazz music?
Walter Becker was a renowned jazz musician and composer who was a major influence in the jazz music world. He was known for his innovative and creative style, blending traditional jazz sounds with modern elements. He was also a highly creative songwriter and producer.
Becker’s influence on jazz music was felt throughout the genre. He was a major innovator, introducing new sounds, styles, and techniques that pushed the boundaries of the genre and allowed jazz to evolve. Some of his major influences include:
- His use of abstract and unusual chord progressions
- His incorporation of Latin, blues, and funk influences
- His unique approach to improvisation
- His use of electronic effects to create new sounds
- His use of odd time signatures and unusual rhythms
- His exploration of unusual tuning systems
- His incorporation of world music influences
Becker’s influence can be heard in many of the jazz musicians who followed him, from Miles Davis to Herbie Hancock to John Coltrane. His influence is felt even today in the jazz world, as musicians continue to explore the possibilities of the genre and push the boundaries of what is possible.
4. How did Walter Becker become a successful musician?
Walter Becker was an American musician, songwriter, and record producer best known as a co-founder of the rock band Steely Dan. Becker’s career began in the late 1960s as a session musician in New York City. He then moved to Los Angeles, where he joined Steely Dan in 1971. From there, Becker and fellow Steely Dan co-founder Donald Fagen created a unique sound and style that blended rock, jazz, and R&B, and incorporated elements of pop, funk, and soul.
Here are some of the key steps Walter Becker took to become a successful musician:
- He developed an understanding of music theory, composition, and arrangement, which he applied to all of his subsequent musical projects.
- He collaborated with a wide range of musicians to create a unique sound that blended different genres.
- He established a successful production company and produced a number of hit records for various artists.
- He wrote and co-wrote many of Steely Dan’s songs, which helped the band achieve commercial and critical success.
- He worked tirelessly to promote the band’s music and build a fan base.
Walter Becker’s success and influence on popular music continue to this day. His legacy as a musician, songwriter, and producer will continue to inspire future generations of musicians.
5. What was Walter Becker’s approach to songwriting?
Walter Becker was committed to crafting unique and memorable songs that could stand the test of time. His approach to songwriting was characterized by his adept use of melody, countermelody, and musical interplay. He was also highly skilled at creating evocative lyrics that could evoke strong emotions in the listener.
Some of the key elements of Walter Becker’s songwriting style included:
- Creating memorable melodic hooks to grab the listener’s attention
- Incorporating a range of musical genres from jazz to rock
- Adding countermelodies to enhance the musical texture of the song
- Incorporating musical interplay between the instruments to create tension and interest
- Writing meaningful and evocative lyrics that could draw the listener in
Becker’s approach to songwriting was highly successful, as evidenced by the immense popularity of Steely Dan’s music. His style has been highly influential, and has been cited as an influence by many successful contemporary songwriters.
Conclusion
Walter Becker was an incredible artist with a unique and creative vision. His music was an inspiring blend of jazz, rock, and blues, and he was an incredible songwriter. His lyrics were often thoughtful and introspective, and his music was often forward-thinking and inventive. He was a gifted musician and a beloved figure in the music industry, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of musicians. His work will forever be remembered and cherished.
