21 Pics Of Steely Dan Yachting Through The 1970s

1 - 10
11 - 20
21 - 21

21 Pics Of Steely Dan Yachting Through The 1970s

Even today, their meticulous production and songwriting shines through as some of the best of all time.

Published 5 months ago in Ftw

The 1970s wouldn’t be quite what they were without Steely Dan. Walter Becker and Donald Fagen’s labor of love fused rock and pop with complex jazz, and their cryptic and sardonic lyrics grooved their way into the hearts of everybody with ears.

They toured a little in the 70s, but Becker and Fagen’s obsession with audio perfection led them to become a studio-only band, making use of session musicians and recording parts over and over until they were flawless. Even today, their meticulous production and songwriting shines through.

Becker and Fagen were so cool it hurt. They dealt in sunglasses, beatnik outfits, and rare public appearances. These pictures from the 1970s heyday of yacht rock’s hippest band drip coolness. Dim the lights and check them out.

1
Donald Fagen, 1980s

2
Walter Becker and Donald Fagen jamming in the 70s

3
Steely Dan in 1973

4
Steely Dan recording Can’t Buy a Thrill in 1972

5
Donald Fagen and Walter Becker in the studio working on Aja, 1977

6
Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, circa 1970s

7
Walter Becker and Donald Fagen in 1977

8
Donald Fagen in 1982

9
Rare photo of Steely Dan performing live in Milwaukee in 1972

10
Donald Fagen and Walter Becker in Christmas sweaters in the 70s

11
Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, co-founders of Steely Dan, 1977

12
Steely Dan, circa 1975

13
Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, circa 1970s

14
Donald Fagen of Steely Dan’s high school senior portrait, 1966

15
Steely Dan in 1973.

16
Steely Dan in 1972. Back row, left to right: David Palmer, Donald Fagen, and Walter Becker. Front row, left to right: Jim Hodder, Denny Dias, and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter.