Steely Dan on Letterman, October 20, 1995, Upgraded and Expanded

I love how Becker and Fagen both look like a couple of math teachers! 😂

The world is definitely not a better place without Walter Becker casually killing it on guitar

Becker and Fagen without question are two of the most important American musicians of the last half century. Fusing styles so effortlessly. Always original. The embodiment of American exceptionalism.

Steely Dan had so many fabulous guitarists over their career that it's easy to forget how great Walter Becker himself was. An enormous talent.

I love Walter’s stage presence. He just plays like it’s another day at the office.

There aren't too many videos like this where you can see Walter Becker showing his chops. An absolutely superb musician sadly missed.

You’re too cool for school if you’re blasting this in 2024!

That unmistakable sound of contemporary jazz, rock, soul and blues. Only Steely Dan could pull that off and make it popular music down to this day.

RIP Walter. He makes it look so easy.

I've loved "Aja" since it first came out. Shortly afterwards I bought the very first Sony "Walkman" for a train ride from Chicago to New York City. It only played cassettes and played in one direction only, and it cost a little over 200 bucks! But man, it was worth it. I'd be sitting there on the train with my headphones on and people would ask me periodically what that thing was I was listening to. I'd just smile, take off the phones, put them on their heads, and watch their eyes open wide while they said, WOW!

Side note: That’s Peter Erskine from Weather Report back there on drums. Killing it here.

They were the soundtrack of my life since the first album.

RIP Walter. Every time I watch a Steely Dan performance, I realize how much I miss the anticipation of the possibility of seeing you play live.

In the 70’s I named my beautiful female shepherd mix puppy dog “ Aja “ after listening to Steely Dan ! I was so awestruck at the musical arrangements it seemed heavenly to me ! When I hear their music I am transported back in time and it is very emotional for me ! What an exceptional band Steely Dan is and always will be ! ❤❤❤ thanks 😊

8:03 - Walter playing the "If I Only Had a Brain" melody from The Wizard of Oz at the end there!

Didn't expect this video to make me nostalgic for both Steely Dan and Letterman, but here we are...

I’m 58, I grew up with the great Steely Dan. All my kids love the music, even my 17 year old. My kids are smart enough to understand what real music performed by real musicians sounds like. The sound is timeless

surfing the musical tube again and came upon this Steely Dan classic..always a musical treat with Fagen and Becker.......and Peter Erskine again on drums....he plays with everyone!! and plays it all so well!!

Thanks, David Letterman, you always had great bands on your show and gave others a chance that no one else would!!!! 😘

Seeing how the session guys are so into it makes me feel happy.