Today is February 20, 2019 and I’m sure we all know what that means- Walter Becker’s 69th Birthday! Today also marks the 45th anniversary of Pretzel Logic (the album was released on Walter’s 24th birthday). As I was listening to Pretzel Logic this morning, I was examining the picture on the album cover. A few questions popped into my head.
Who is the man selling pretzels?
Was the picture staged? Or did the photographer, Raeanne Rubenstein, just decide to take a picture of some random New York street vendor, and use him in the picture for the cover photo?
Also, on the sign that says, “Hot Pretzles 15 ¢” was ‘Pretzels’ intentionally spelled ‘Pretzles’, or was that a typo?
If anyone knows the answers to these questions, please let me know.
Once again, Happy Birthday Walter!
According to Brian Sweet's Steely Dan book, the vendor on the cover of Pretzel Logic was approached to sign a release form for the use of the photograph and he refused. Some digging was done on the vendor to find he had no licence so it was unlikely he would sue, so the photograph was used.
The thought I had while reading this post was the imagining of being 24 and releasing Pretzel Logic! Then, the thought of it being your 3rd release!
When I was 24 I was waking up in strange places with half my face stuck to the floor.
And how as Matt has said
"but I think he really did put the same amount of effort that he had reserved for his music into taking care of himself, and that by definition precluded the kind of output we see occurring around 11ToW, Circus Money, and the intervening Steely Dan albums."
Still, all that Production work in the 80's it just boggles the mind.
If I recall correctly, it was a legitimate pretzel vendor; nothing was staged. Check-out this link that gives details regarding the location of the famous cover: http://www.popspotsnyc.com/pretzel_logic/
NOTE: a couple of years ago I was in New York on vacation with my wife and we went to the spot and she took my photo. If I can find it, I'll post it here.