Walter Becker is being honoured by New York city by having the street in Queens where he grew up renamed Walter Becker Way. Quite right too, though I’m sure Walter would have had some suitably ironic comment to make about it.
PS check out the splendid Beckercast in the Podcasts to remember the great man.
https://www.jambase.com/article/new-york-city-honors-walter-becker-street-naming-tribute
Tiggerlion says
His widow, Delia, wrote an open letter to his fans a couple of months after his death:
As Walter Becker’s wife of many years, I wanted to share with his fans some information regarding his death that has not previously been reported. I realize this is overdue, and I hope you will understand why. For me personally, his death was a devastating blow, as I know it was for many of you. I am just beginning to emerge from its heartbreaking impact.
Walter died in the course of being treated for an extremely aggressive form of esophageal cancer. The cancer was detected during one of his annual medical checkups and its presence came as a grim surprise to Walter, his doctors and to me. It seemed to have come out of nowhere and had spread with terrifying speed.
Walter chose an intense regimen of chemotherapy at Sloan Kettering though, between the cancer’s aggressiveness and the overwhelming toxicity resulting from the chemotherapy treatments, Walter died less than four months after the cancer was detected.
Walter passed peacefully in our New York City home, surrounded by his family, his music, and a blustery rainstorm — one of his favorite sounds — blowing outside the window. In keeping with his wishes, he was cremated without ceremony or memorial in New York City.
Understandably, Walter wanted privacy during the course of his illness and he hoped for recovery. He wanted to be able to return to the stage and once again perform for his fans. It’s important to me, as it was to Walter, that you all know he never intended to keep anyone in the dark about his condition. He just ran out of time much sooner than any of us thought possible.
The tsunami of tributes and remembrances that have followed Walter’s passing has been deeply moving. Even his “Number 1 Fan” — me — would not have predicted anything close to the depth and breadth of public expressions from those whose lives were enriched by Walter — by his talent, his kindness, and his skill at inspiring some wicked fun.
Thank you, everyone, for helping me and his loved ones know that Walter’s mark on the world — and on all of you — will not soon fade.
Twang says
Dusty in here today, isn’t it.
Askwith says
I would say to Delia that the ones we love and lose are still with us in our hearts and in Walter’s case in the sublime music he created.
Tiggerlion says
I think we all need cooling down in this weather. Here’s a Steely Dan song in all but name. Walter co-writes, produces and plays a snaky bassline worthy of Chuck Rainey and a guitar solo that captures the essence of the song perfectly.
https://youtu.be/Vht_XsBtzHQ
Mavis Diles says
I love this song. I always found the online commentary about the later SD albums funny, almost always dissing Walter for his blues licks. Dudes (and it always is dudes), you’re missing the point!
paulwright says
The Walter Becker website is releasing out takes, live versions and demos of his solo stuff for free download
Twang says
Ta I’m off to check it out.
Twang says
And here they are
https://www.walterbeckermedia.com/downloads
count jim moriarty says
Thanks for the link. All downloaded.
Mike_H says
Cheers, Twang.