Born February 20, 1950 New York. When he was 17, Becker met Donald Fagen, a fellow student at Bard College, who shared similar musical interests and an equal interest in composing songs. After the two secured a gig writing songs for ABC/Dunhill Records in Los Angeles in 1971, they also worked on material for their first album, "Can't Buy a Thrill", released in 1972 under the name Steely Dan.