‘DAN’ GETS HONOR IN QNS.
Streetcorner is named for he leader of Steely band
The Cuervo Gold. The fine Colombian. And then, perhaps, a cruise down Walter Becker Way.
The Steely Dan co-founder and Queens native will be honored Oct. 28 with the christening of a Forest Hills street in his name. Fans from around the country and across the globe are expected at the event for Becker, who died last September at the age of 67.
The musician’s old elementary school pal Howard Rodman remains unsurprised by the musician’s rise from the old neighborhood to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Even as a kid, Becker stood out from the rest of the gang at Public School 196Q.
“I think part of it was he was really bright,” explained Rodman, who remained a friend through the decades. “And part of it was he was just a little cooler and hipper than the average bear.”
Rodman recalls Becker sharing avant garde saxophonist Albert Ayler’s groundbreaking 1964 free jazz LP “Spiritual Unity” with him — and then brushing aside his tepid response.
“Walter said, ‘You’re going to listen to this in a year and like it. Why not save some time?’” recounted a chuckling Rodman. “That was Walter Becker at age 13.”
The sign proclaiming “Walter Becker Way” goes up on the corner of 112th St. and 72nd Drive, paying homage to the man who partnered with Donald Fagen on the classic rock staples “My Old School,” “Deacon Blues,” and “Hey Nineteen.” The jazzloving pals — wry and witty, cynical and literate — met as Bard College students and debuted as Steely Dan with the 1972 album “Can’t Buy A Thrill,” with the band eventually selling more than 40 million albums worldwide.
Becker, born Feb. 2, 1950, spent a sometimes painful youth in Queens. His parents split, and Becker was raised by his single-parent dad and his grandmother. The nascent musician did pick up his first guitar in Forest Hills, learning a few blues licks from neighbor and friend Randy Wolfe — who later, under the nom de rock Randy California, founded the band Spirit.
Matt Kerns, 39, was among the Becker boosters who lobbied for the street renaming. He became a diehard fan after hearing Becker’s solo album “11 Tracks of Whack,” and became friendly with the musician during the Dan’s 2000 tour.
“They say don’t meet your heroes, but he passed the test,” recalled Kerns, of Chatanooga, Tenn. “He was generous with his time, and just as funny as you’d hope Walter Becker would be.”
Growing up in Queens always meant a lot to Becker, even as the musician relocated to Manhattan, Los Angeles and Maui.
“For Walter, that period of his life was very foundational,” said Kerns. “And as much as Walter was never one to seek accolades, I think he would appreciate this a little bit.”