Remembering Libby Titus: The Legacy of a Musical Icon

Tribute to Libby Titus: A Musical Legacy

Libby Titus, a talented singer-songwriter celebrated for her poignant ballad “Love Has No Pride,” which has been beautifully covered by renowned artists such as Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt, passed away on October 13. She was 77 years old. Her husband, Donald Fagen, the iconic frontman of Steely Dan, announced her passing on the official Steely Dan website, though he did not disclose the cause of death or her location at the time.

A highly respected figure in the music world during the 1970s, Ms. Titus was recognized as both a gifted songwriter and a backing vocalist. Despite not achieving massive commercial success as a solo artist, her contributions to music were significant. Her sole major-label album, simply titled “Libby Titus,” was released by Columbia Records in 1977 and showcased her remarkable talent. This album featured an ensemble of impressive collaborators, including Paul Simon, Robbie Robertson from The Band, James Taylor, and Carly Simon, who contributed to the songwriting process with four co-written tracks.

The album served as a platform for Ms. Titus’s jazz influences and her affinity for torch songs, distinguishing her from the more mainstream artists of her time. Influential rock critic Dave Marsh praised the album in a Rolling Stone review, stating that it “immediately distinguishes her from the Hollywood cowgirls of the Ronstadt regiment.” He noted her as “a sophisticated pop singer,” likening her style to that of Bette Midler rather than her contemporaries.

Among the standout tracks was her rendition of “Love Has No Pride,” a deeply moving song that explores themes of lost love and yearning, co-written with her childhood friend Gary Kaz. Stephen Holden, in a review for The New York Times in 1983, hailed it as “one of the finest ballads of the rock era,” further solidifying Ms. Titus’s place in the annals of music history.

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