Pick a Day

Denny Dias, founding guitarist of Steely Dan, is born in Philadelphia. In the summer of 1970, Dias is playing in a band called Demian, whose manager places an ad in the New York City arts paper The Village Voice that reads: "Looking for keyboardist and bassist. Must have jazz chops! No hangups." Donald Fagen and Walter Becker answer the ad, leading to the formation of Steely Dan.

Donald Fagen, co-founder, lead singer and keyboardist of Steely Dan, is born in Passaic, New Jersey. Along with main collaborator Walter Becker, Fagen helps create sophisticated rock music that features tasteful jazz and R&B influences, and sharp, witty, literate lyrics.

"Skunk" Baxter, best known for playing guitar with The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan, is born Jeffrey Allen Baxter in Washington, D.C.

Walter Becker, co-founder of Steely Dan, is born in Queens, New York City. He meets bandmate and songwriting partner Donald Fagen while attending Bard College.

Michael McDonald is born outside of St. Louis. As a solo artist, his hits include "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)" and "Sweet Freedom," but his voice is also heard on songs he records as a member of The Doobie Brothers and a frequent collaborator with Steely Dan, as well as hundreds of other recordings as a backup singer.

Steely Dan show up on Hot 100 for the first time when their debut single, "Do It Again," enters at #98. It peaks at #6 on February 11, 1973.

Steely Dan make the Billboard 200 for the first time when their debut album, Can't Buy a Thrill, lands at #197. The title comes from the Bob Dylan song "It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry," where he sings: Well, I ride on a mailtrain, baby Can't buy a thrill The album peaks at #17 on the chart.

"Rikki Don't Lose That Number" is released as the first single from Steely Dan's third album, Pretzel Logic. The song becomes the band's highest-charting US single, reaching #3 on August 3, 1974. Featured on backing vocals on the track is Poco bassist Timothy B. Schmit, who later joins the Eagles.

Steely Dan give up live performing after a show in Santa Monica, California, as band leaders Walter Becker and Donald Fagen decide they prefer to focus on studio work. They don't tour again until 1993.

Steely Dan release their sixth album, Aja. Pronounced "Asia," it's a collection of meticulous and mysterious songs like "Black Cow" and "Deacon Blues." Aja becomes Steely Dan's highest-charting album, peaking at #3.

Steely Dan release Gaucho. The album is meticulously produced and features contributions from Rick Derringer and Mark Knopfler.

Walter Becker and Donald Fagen announce the split of Steely Dan and begin work on solo projects. They re-form in 1993 but don't put out another album until 2000.

Steely Dan frontman Donald Fagen releases his debut solo album, The Nightfly. The album, which includes the singles "I.G.Y. (What A Beautiful World)" and "New Frontier," reaches #11 on the albums chart. The Nightfly and its tracks go on to receive a total of seven nominations at 1983 Grammy Awards.

Jim Hodder, the original drummer for Steely Dan, age 42, drowns in the swimming pool of his home in Point Arena, California.

Steely Dan, who broke up in 1981, re-form and begin a US tour at The Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Walter Becker explains: "We spent all the money from the last tour. We made $800 each and it's all gone now."

Steely Dan co-founder Walter Becker releases his debut album, 11 Tracks Of Whack. Becker co-produces the album with longtime bandmate Donald Fagen, who also contributes keyboards to the project.

Steely Dan release Two Against Nature, their first album in more than 19 years. It goes on to win the Grammy for Album Of The Year.

Aerosmith, Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, Queen, Ritchie Valens, Solomon Burke, Steely Dan and The Flamingos are inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Session rock guitarist Hugh McCracken (Billy Joel, Steely Dan) dies at age 70 of leukemia.

Steely Dan co-founder and guitarist Walter Becker dies of esophageal cancer at 67.

Donald Fagen and the late Walter Becker of Steely Dan are inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame at a ceremony held at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. Phish frontman Trey Anastasio welcomes Fagen and Becker into the institution, and leads a tribute performance featuring their classic songs "Kid Charlemagne" and "Reelin' In The Years."