 b. 10 January 1948, Passaic, New Jersey, USA. A graduate of New York's Bard College, Fagen joined fellow student Walter Becker in several temporary groups, including the Leather Canary and Bad Rock Group. The duo then forged a career as songwriters - their demos were later compiled on several exploitative releases - and spent several years backing Jay And The Americans. Having completed the soundtrack to You Gotta Walk It Like You Talk It (Or You'll Lose That Beat), a low-budget film by Zalman King, Fagen and Becker then formed Steely Dan. Arguably one of America's finest groups, their deft, imaginative lyrics were set into a music combining the thrill of rock with the astuteness of jazz. Although initially a sextet, the group soon became an avenue for the duo's increasingly oblique vision as band members were replaced by hirelings.  |
