As if the news of Steely Dan’s founding member Walter Becker’s death wasn’t sad enough, we hear this week that Walter’s widowed wife Delia has asked the courts to allow her to become an officer of the Steely Dan business, requiring a 50% ownership in the legal partnership. It’s starting to get rougher unfortunately.
Evidently written in 1972, there is legal language that allows surviving band members to purchase the business shares of any member who either quits or dies. Walter Becker’s estate and wife sent communications to Donald Fagen indicating that they felt the amendment was no longer relevant, and as you might expect certain people are being accused of withholding documents and materials for review.
Donald and the members of the Steely Dan chose to go back on tour after Walter’s death. It appears this legal matter will not be resolved quickly, but we’ll keep you up to date as additional developments arise.
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