Pop and Rock Star Deaths in 2017

Steely Dan founders Walter Becker (left) and Donald Fagen in the early ’70s.

Walter Becker

Band: Steely Dan

Position: guitarist/bassist/vocals

Died: Sept. 2

Cause of death: esophageal cancer

Age: 67

Distinctions: Co-wrote all of Steely Dan's songs with Donald Fagen, including hit singles "Do It Again" (No. 6, 1972), "Reeling in the Years (No. 11, 1973), "Rikki Don't Lose That Number (No. 4, 1974), "Peg" (No. 11, 1977), "Deacon Blues" (No. 19, 1978), "FM (No Static at All)" (No. 22, 1978) and "Josie" (No. 26, 1978). From 1972 to 2003, Steely Dan released just nine albums, including Pretzel Logic (No. 8, 1974) and Aja (No. 3, 1977). The band's comeback album, Two Against Nature (No. 6, 2000), won four Grammy awards.

Steve Bloom

Steve Bloom

Publisher of CelebStoner.com, former editor of High Times and Freedom Leaf and co-author of Pot Culture and Reefer Movie Madness.