BOSTON, March 16, 2001 -- Two musicians whose distinctive and timeless sound has influenced two generations of musicians will receive Honorary Doctor of Music degrees at Berklee College of Music. Donald Fagen and Walter Becker (AKA Steely Dan) will be honored at Berklee's 2001 Commencement, Saturday, May 12, at the Reggie Lewis Track Center in Boston.

On Commencement eve, at the Berklee Performance Center, students will present a concert tribute to the honorees, performing selections from their many platinum-selling albums.

Becker and Fagen first met as students at Bard College in 1967 (the year after Donald Fagen briefly attended Berklee), and officially formed Steely Dan in 1972. The band's numerous hit singles include "Do It Again," "Reelin' In The Years," "Rikki Don't Lose That Number," and classics like "Any Major Dude Will Tell You." The discography of Fagen and Becker lists 10 Steely Dan albums, two solo releases by Fagen, and one by Becker. Their music has sold millions of units worldwide.

Becker and Fagen's "Two Against Nature" CD received four Grammy Awards at the 2001 awards show, including Album of the Year, Best Pop Performance by a group or Duo With Vocals, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Engineered Album/Non Classical. The CD was just certified platinum for U.S. sales of one million copies. This year, the band will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Also receiving Honorary Doctor of Music degrees at this year's Commencement will be Larry R. Linkin and William M. Davis. For over two decades, Linkin has served as president and CEO of NAMM, the International Music Products Association, and is being recognized for his work in the advancement of music education and is regarded as one of the country's foremost advocates for music and the arts.

William M. Davis has been a member of the college's Board of Trustees since 1977, having served as Chair of the Board of Trustees since 1992. He will be stepping down this year. He will be honored at this year's ceremony in acknowledgement of his contributions to Berklee's growth and ongoing commitment to educational excellence.

These honorees will join such Berklee honorary doctorate recipients as Duke Ellington, David Bowie, B.B. King, Patti LaBelle, Sting, James Taylor, Pat Metheny, Dizzy Gillespie, Carly Simon, Billy Joel, Bonnie Raitt, and alumnus Quincy Jones.