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.