RIP Libby Titus, 77, writer of ‘Love Has No Pride’, producer, wife of Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen

I am very sorry to report the death of Libby Titus.

The singer-songwriter best known for her much-covered hit ‘Love Has No Pride’ was 77 years old. She was married to Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen for 31 years. She had a daughter, singer Amy Helm, with Levon Helm of The Band, and a son, Ezra Titus, who died in 2009, from her first marriage.

Donald wrote on his web page: “My beautiful wife, Libby Titus Fagen, passed away on October 13th surrounded by family. Thank you for keeping us in mind and respecting our privacy at this time.”

Libby was a popular figure in contemporary music of our time. In addition to singing and songwriting, she came up with the idea for the New York Rock and Soul Revue in 1989. The group consisted of Fagen, my late friend Phoebe Snow, Dr. John and Bonnie Raitt. The group was incredibly popular, played live shows in New York at the Lonestar Roadhouse and recorded a great album. Fagen and Walter Becker were on a break from Steely Dan, but the Revue brought them back together.

Carly Simon’s 1979 album, ‘Spy’, included ‘Love You By Heart’, a song Simon wrote with Titus and Jacob Brackman. That was just a few years after Simon wrote and recorded a brilliant song called ‘Libby’, dedicated to her friend.

Personally, I had known Libby for years. She was so engaging and fun, and a great friend when you needed her. Condolences to Donald and her wide network of admirers.

Here’s “Love Has No Pride,” made into hits by Linda Ronstadt and Bonnie Raitt: