American rock band formed in New York City in 1971 as a duo of Walter Becker (bass/guitar/songwriter, 1950-2017) and Donald Fagen (vocals/keyboards/songwriter, b. 1948). Distinguished by their jazz-influenced rock arrangements, perfectionist studio approach, and famously demanding session-musician auditions.
Released nine studio albums between Can't Buy a Thrill (1972) and Everything Must Go (2003). Critical and commercial peaks: Pretzel Logic (1974), Katy Lied (1975), Aja (1977), and Gaucho (1980). Won the 2001 Grammy for Album of the Year for Two Against Nature (2000), the band's first studio album in 20 years. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Becker died in 2017; Fagen continues to tour under the Steely Dan name.
