Which two musicians make up the pop music group, Steely Dan?

The distinctive sound of the pop music group Steely Dan was primarily crafted by the songwriting and musical partnership of Walter Becker and Donald Fagan. These two musicians were the consistent creative force behind the band, handling nearly all the songwriting, arrangements, and production throughout Steely Dan's career. While they often employed a rotating cast of highly skilled session musicians for their recordings and live performances, Becker and Fagan remained the undeniable core and guiding vision of the project.

Becker and Fagan met at Bard College in the late 1960s and quickly discovered a shared love for jazz, sophisticated harmonies, and sardonic lyrics. Fagan typically handled lead vocals and keyboards, while Becker contributed guitar, bass, and often served as a co-producer. Their meticulous approach to recording, often spending countless hours in the studio perfecting every detail, became legendary. This dedication to sonic perfection, combined with their intricate compositions and often cynical yet witty lyrical themes, set Steely Dan apart from many of their contemporaries in the 1970s.

Their unique blend of jazz, rock, R&B, and pop elements, executed with unparalleled precision, earned them critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. Albums like "Aja" and "Gaucho" are celebrated for their sophisticated arrangements, complex musicianship, and timeless appeal. Even after a hiatus in the early 1980s, Becker and Fagan reunited to continue making music as Steely Dan, further cementing their legacy as one of popular music's most enduring and influential duos.