As more and more music is created, it appears that more and more lawsuits regarding music take place. From the Led Zeppelin lawsuit to the Marvin Gaye and “Blurred Lines” lawsuit, the world’s public has seen it all and it continues to snowball. Now, it is Steely Dan’s turn for the judicial spotlight.
According to Spin Magazine, frontman and singer Donald Fagen has decided to sue one of his oldest bandmates Walter becker. Spin writes that Fagen is suing “in an effort to keep the band’s name alive” even with the passing of Becker this past September. According to the court files the two remained partners to the bitter end. The lawsuit, however, focuses moreso on a buy-sell agreement that the original Steely Dan members signed in 1972. Filed on Tuesday November 21st at the L.A. County Superior Court complains that when a band member passes or quits the band, Steely Dan acquires and purchases all shares of that member.
Fagen’s lawyer Louis “Skip” Miller writes in the file:
“By the 2010s, Fagen and Becker were the only remaining shareholders and signatories to the Buy/Sell Agreement. Four days after Becker’s death, on September 7, 2017, the Becker Defendants sent Fagen a letter a letter stating that ‘We wanted to put you on the notice that the Buy/Sell Agreement dates as of October 31st, 1972 is of no force of effect.’” Seems familiar, no? Why all this lawsuit if there is a clear contract stating what happens to the Steely Dan shares following the death or termination of a member?
Well, it seems that the letter written by the Becker defense claims to appoint Becker’s widow, Delia Becker, as shareholder of Becker’s shares. The letter demands that 50 percent of the ownership be given Delia. In fact, Delia and the entirety of the Becker defense has complete control of the Steely Dan website and will not give up their control and operation of the website.
Aside from the case focusing on the Buy/Sell Agreement, Fagen is also bringing the band’s management firm Nigro Karlin Segal Feldstein & Bolno (NKSFB) as he believes they are withholding pertinent accounting records. Fagen’s lawyer Miller writes “With the Becker Defendants retaining NKSFB, a full complete accounting is necessary to protect the Plaintiff’s interests.” He continues:
“This lawsuit is about a contract, the enforcement of that contract and the continuity of Steely Dan. We think the contract is very clear on its face, and we hope this lawsuit is resolved expeditiously.”Donald Fagen is suing for one million dollars as well as ror an enforcement of the main focus: the Buy/Sell Agreement.
Fagen, though, has also had his fair share of time in the court. As recently as last year Fagan was arrested for domestic assault. Check our coverage on the story here.
Steely Dan was founded by members Walter Becker and Donald Fagen in 1972 and has received worldwide fame since. After 1981, Steely Dan took a decade long hiatus only to reform again in 1993. Even though half of the band has passed, Fagen continues to perform the beautiful, jazz-embossed music as well as his solo material.
2nd and 3rd phootos by Owen Ela. 4th photo by Mauricio Alvarado.
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