Editing Steely Dan (section)

===Formation and early years (1972–1974)===
Walter Becker and Donald Fagen first met in 1967 at [[Bard College]] in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, where Fagen was studying and Becker was a student musician. The two bonded over a shared love of [[jazz]], particularly the work of [[Horace Silver]], [[John Coltrane]], and [[Charles Mingus]], alongside an irreverent affection for classic rock and R&B.<ref>Breithaupt, Don & Jeff. ''Aja''. Continuum, 2007.</ref>

After relocating to New York City and briefly working as staff songwriters for [[ABC-Dunhill Records]], Becker and Fagen moved to [[Los Angeles]], where they assembled a touring band. The original lineup included guitarist [[Jeff "Skunk" Baxter]], guitarist Denny Dias, drummer Jim Hodder, and vocalist David Palmer. The name "Steely Dan" was taken from a steam-powered dildo in [[William S. Burroughs]]' novel ''[[Naked Lunch]]'' (1959), reflecting the duo's literary sensibility and fondness for provocation.<ref>Burroughs, William S. ''Naked Lunch''. Olympia Press, 1959.</ref>

The band's debut album, ''[[Can't Buy a Thrill]]'' (1972), produced by [[Gary Katz (record producer)|Gary Katz]], reached #17 on the [[Billboard 200]] and yielded two Top 20 singles: "[[Do It Again (Steely Dan song)|Do It Again]]" and "[[Reelin' in the Years]]."<ref>''Billboard'' chart archives, 1972–1973.</ref>