Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen Faces Assault Charges

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Donald Fagen

Singer and songwriter Donald Fagen, 67, was charged on January 5, 2016, with assaulting his wife Libby Titus at their Manhattan home, allegedly shoving her into a marble window frame and knocking her to the ground on Jan. 4 at their Upper East Side apartment.

The Steely Dan singer was charged with misdemeanor assault and harassment and released without bail after a brief court appearance. The classic rock performer was ordered to stay away from Titus, who is said to be filing for divorce. The assault caused Titus, 68, to “suffer bruising and swelling to her right arm, as well as substantial pain,” according to the criminal complaint.

Three weeks later, Fagen accepted a conditional dismissal of the charges, provided that he had no further incidents for a year. “Despite misleading reports in the press, we’re happily married,” the couple said in a statement.

The two have been married since 1993. Titus was formerly a partner of Levon Helm of the Band, and is best known for her song “Love Has No Pride,” recorded by Bonnie Raitt and Linda Ronstadt.

Steely Dan has no announced tour plans; their most recent dates were an eight-night residency at NYC’s Beacon Theatre. Best Classic Bands reviewed their July 6, 2015, Red Rocks concert (with Elvis Costello), noting the “manic power and stunning synchronicity among the players.”