Walter Becker News Round-Up: Final Performance Now Streaming, Daughter Pens Touching Tribute
Those missing Steely Dan‘s late Walter Becker can now get a look at his final performance with the band.
The group’s entire May 27 concert from in Greenwich, Conn. online on YouTube, featuring Becker’s lead vocal on “Daddy Don’t Live In That New York City No More” and his usual mid-song rap during “Hey Nineteen.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxAItw7dIa8
Becker missed Steely Dan’s performances at the Classic West and Classic East concerts during July due to an undisclosed illness. The post comes alongside an open letter from Becker’s daughter Sayan posted at his official web site.
Accompanied by a photo of her father shopping for guitars, Sayan writes:
“You loved music more than anyone I know. You’re always there bobbing your head to each beat, doing a little dance here and there, or sitting over there with your big head phones on and swaying back and forth. I could see it, your dissecting the song — listening in closely for each bbeat,for each musical instrument — you know, whatever you musicians do. But I get it.
Every road trip without fail came The Pit Stop at some guitar store. Heck, dad, I keep telling you why don’t you just own your own store? Five hours go by as I sit watching you fiddle with a guitar here and there…yet you never end up buying one. I understand though; it was your fun place, like an arcade; playing all you can, and as loud as you can. Your candy shop.
Dad you’re kinda funny; sometimes I may not understand the meaning behind your witty highly intelligent comments or jokes, but for you to smile and make everyone — or even thousands all at once — smile and laugh, then yeah you got something going for you pops… I get it. Your presence makes everyone’s day a little brighter. I love you for that.
Coast to coast. How is it that you know so many facts about every state or country we visit? We would walk through Central Park Zoo and just randomly point out some little thing… and here it comes, some long historical fact about it. Dad, it’s a seal for crying out loud! It amazes me how intelligent you are.
“Dad, I like that we understand one another”
“Sa-girl, we are soul mates”
“Dad I love you to the moon and back”
“Girly face I love you more than that, to the next galaxy”
“Wow, that’s far!”
“Well it’s true”
“…Thanks dad”
… for your love for music, your fatherly advice and devotion, your knowledge about the world and your blindingly sharp sense of humor … for all that, and more.
We had one hell of a ride. You are my world, my soulmate, my father, that I love so much.
It’s true your love is shining from the next galaxy. I could see it now; you got a whole galaxy of guitars to look at. Rock on dad, rock on until your heart is content.
I hear you.
I get you.
-Your only Pulama Ama Lama.”
Brecker, passed away Sunday (September 3) from undisclosed causes at the age of 67. He is also survived by his wife Elinor and their son, Kawai.
Gary Graff is an award-winning music journalist who not only covers music but has written books on Bob Seger, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen.
