Scoreload

American jazz-rock band known for complex harmonies, sophisticated studio production, and enigmatic lyrics.Formed in 1972 by core members Walter Becker (bass, guitar) and Donald Fagen (keyboards, vocals).Achieved major success in the 1970s with albums like 'Can't Buy a Thrill' (1972), 'Pretzel Logic' (1974), and the Grammy-winning 'Aja' (1977).Disbanded in 1981 after 'Gaucho', pursued solo careers.Reunited in 1993 for touring and released two new albums: 'Two Against Nature' (2000 - Grammy Album of the Year) and 'Everything Must Go' (2003).Continued touring after Becker's death in 2017 until Fagen retired the band name in 2024.

• The band's name comes from 'Steely Dan III from Yokohama', a strap-on dildo mentioned in William S. Burroughs' novel 'Naked Lunch'.
• Becker and Fagen were notorious perfectionists, hiring and firing dozens of elite session musicians ('The Dan' or 'The Steely Dan Orchestra') for their complex studio recordings, rarely touring during their initial 1970s run.
• Walter Becker struggled with drug addiction for many years and faced personal tragedy, including the death of his girlfriend from a drug overdose in 1974 and a severe leg injury from being hit by a cab in 1975. He died from complications of esophageal cancer on September 3, 2017.
• Despite critical acclaim and devoted fans, Steely Dan's ironic, often darkly humorous lyrics exploring themes of failure, deception, and decadence were sometimes misinterpreted or overlooked by mainstream audiences.