Last week, surviving Steely Dan member Donald Fagen sued the estate of his late bandmate Walter Becker over ownership of the band's music and name. Now, Becker's estate has responded to the suit.
As previously reported, Fagen's suit hinges on a buy-sell agreement that the group's original members signed in 1972 upon becoming incorporated, stating that when a band members leaves or dies, the remaining Steely Dan members purchase all the member's shares in the group.
In a statement provided to Rolling Stone, a representative for Becker's estate said, "We believe the agreement to which Mr. Fagen refers in his suit — drafted 45 years ago — was not in effect at the time of Walter's death."
The statement continued: "Mr. Fagen's lawsuit, riddled with half-truths and omissions, misleadingly fails to state that the day after Walter died, Mr. Fagen had his lawyer send a demand letter to Walter's estate, thus beginning a legal campaign against Walter's family immediately after his death."
Becker's estate also alleged that "the misrepresentation that his widow, [Delia Becker] initiated any litigious action is simply untrue," citing Fagen's claim that she had sought a 50 percent ownership stake in the group.
"Since Walter's passing, we have endeavored to achieve a compromise with Mr. Fagen," the statement added. "We were close to a resolution with his longtime counsel who he suddenly fired. We then negotiated in good faith with replacement counsel who Mr. Fagen also fired. Mr. Fagen's third and current lawyer did not even attempt to contact us prior to filing a lawsuit."
Read the Becker estate's full statement below.
We were disappointed to learn that Donald Fagen commenced a lawsuit against (the estate of) Walter Becker, his partner of 50 years, on the eve of Thanksgiving. We believe the agreement to which Mr. Fagen refers in his suit — drafted 45 years ago — was not in effect at the time of Walter's death.
Mr. Fagen's lawsuit, riddled with half-truths and omissions, misleadingly fails to state that the day after Walter died, Mr. Fagen had his lawyer send a demand letter to Walter's estate, thus beginning a legal campaign against Walter's family immediately after his death. The misrepresentation that his widow, Ms. Cioffi initiated any litigious action is simply untrue. In our view, Mr. Fagen is unfairly trying to deprive Walter's family of the fruits of their joint labors.
Since Walter's passing, we have endeavored to achieve a compromise with Mr. Fagen. We were close to a resolution with his longtime counsel who he suddenly fired. We then negotiated in good faith with replacement counsel who Mr. Fagen also fired. Mr. Fagen's third and current lawyer did not even attempt to contact us prior to filing a lawsuit.
While we regret Mr. Fagen's latest actions, we will vigorously defend against his unwarranted and frivolous case.
As previously reported, Fagen's suit hinges on a buy-sell agreement that the group's original members signed in 1972 upon becoming incorporated, stating that when a band members leaves or dies, the remaining Steely Dan members purchase all the member's shares in the group.
In a statement provided to Rolling Stone, a representative for Becker's estate said, "We believe the agreement to which Mr. Fagen refers in his suit — drafted 45 years ago — was not in effect at the time of Walter's death."
The statement continued: "Mr. Fagen's lawsuit, riddled with half-truths and omissions, misleadingly fails to state that the day after Walter died, Mr. Fagen had his lawyer send a demand letter to Walter's estate, thus beginning a legal campaign against Walter's family immediately after his death."
Becker's estate also alleged that "the misrepresentation that his widow, [Delia Becker] initiated any litigious action is simply untrue," citing Fagen's claim that she had sought a 50 percent ownership stake in the group.
"Since Walter's passing, we have endeavored to achieve a compromise with Mr. Fagen," the statement added. "We were close to a resolution with his longtime counsel who he suddenly fired. We then negotiated in good faith with replacement counsel who Mr. Fagen also fired. Mr. Fagen's third and current lawyer did not even attempt to contact us prior to filing a lawsuit."
Read the Becker estate's full statement below.
We were disappointed to learn that Donald Fagen commenced a lawsuit against (the estate of) Walter Becker, his partner of 50 years, on the eve of Thanksgiving. We believe the agreement to which Mr. Fagen refers in his suit — drafted 45 years ago — was not in effect at the time of Walter's death.
Mr. Fagen's lawsuit, riddled with half-truths and omissions, misleadingly fails to state that the day after Walter died, Mr. Fagen had his lawyer send a demand letter to Walter's estate, thus beginning a legal campaign against Walter's family immediately after his death. The misrepresentation that his widow, Ms. Cioffi initiated any litigious action is simply untrue. In our view, Mr. Fagen is unfairly trying to deprive Walter's family of the fruits of their joint labors.
Since Walter's passing, we have endeavored to achieve a compromise with Mr. Fagen. We were close to a resolution with his longtime counsel who he suddenly fired. We then negotiated in good faith with replacement counsel who Mr. Fagen also fired. Mr. Fagen's third and current lawyer did not even attempt to contact us prior to filing a lawsuit.
While we regret Mr. Fagen's latest actions, we will vigorously defend against his unwarranted and frivolous case.
