Walter Becker, co-founder of Steely Dan, died Sunday at the age of 67, according to his website.
The news was later confirmed by his longtime bandmate Donald Fagen. In a statement, Fagen said “I intend to keep the music we created together alive as long as I can with the Steely Dan band.”
No other details were offered, but the guitarist, bassist and songwriter had been in poor health, and didn’t participate in two Steely Dan concerts in July. Fagen told reporters in August that Becker had undergone a medical procedure that prevented him from touring.
Becker had performed with Steely Dan as recently as April.
Walter Carl Becker founded Steely Dan with singer and songwriter Donald Fagen in 1972, and with the help of many talented session musicians, the band released a string of popular and critically-acclaimed albums that combined rock, jazz and studio wizardry in unprecedented fashion.