Born July 22, 1969, Jason Becker is a neo-classical guitarist who achieved … Read Full Bio ↴Born July 22, 1969, Jason Becker is a neo-classical guitarist who achieved fame at age 16 as a technical virtuoso and guitar prodigy.
As part of the Mike Varney-produced duo Cacophony (with Marty Friedman, who later achieved fame in legendary thrash metal band Megadeth), Jason released two albums: Speed Metal Symphony (1987) and Go Off! (1988). He also released a solo album titled Perpetual Burn in 1988. Now aged 20, he was asked to join David Lee Roth's band and recorded A Little Aint Enough (1990). Unfortunately while gearing up for a 1990 tour, he began to feel weakness in his hands and legs. He was soon diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS - aka Lou Gehrig's Disease) and had to depart from the tour. The album he featured on went gold and is often thought of as one of David Lee Roth's finest solo albums.
A few years later, Becker released Raspberry Jams (1999) and Blackberry Jams (2003), the first containing various unreleased demo-tracks and the latter being demo-tracks which were later reworked and published in other albums.
Like many neo-classical guitarists, he studied the works of violin prodigy Niccolò Paganini. Becker's rendition of Paganini's 5th Caprice is a good example of his guitar mastery.
Jason grew musically with Marty Friedman, with whom he co-wrote many songs and by whose sense of melody he was influenced while spurring him to greater heights of guitar technique. Their harmonisation-by-ear melody lines remains their trademark.
After feeling the ravages of ALS, Becker embraced spirituality, which has helped him deal with his disease. Although ALS quickly robbed him of his ability to play guitar, to walk, and even speak, he still remains mentally sharp and through the aid of a computer, continues composing music through the help of other musicians; in this way he has released Perspective (1996). He accomplishes this with a combination of a computer or a system of using his eyes to sign letters and notes. Now in his 40s, his medical condition has remained stable since 1997, which is rare for ALS.
Two tribute albums have come out for Jason Becker, featuring many guitarists playing his songs. The albums profits were sent to Jason to help him with his disease.
Jason and his friend, actor Matt Schulze are planning a movie about his life, tentatively titled Mr. Tambourine Man. According to Jason's official website, Fender and Charvel are going to make guitars for the movie and are planning to release a number of them to the public.
Jason has recently compiled a new CD, "Collection", released in 2008 on Shrapnel Records. It features 3 new songs which are performed by Steve Hunter, Greg Howe, Micheal Lee Firkins, Steve Vai, and Joe Satriani to name a few.
As part of the Mike Varney-produced duo Cacophony (with Marty Friedman, who later achieved fame in legendary thrash metal band Megadeth), Jason released two albums: Speed Metal Symphony (1987) and Go Off! (1988). He also released a solo album titled Perpetual Burn in 1988. Now aged 20, he was asked to join David Lee Roth's band and recorded A Little Aint Enough (1990). Unfortunately while gearing up for a 1990 tour, he began to feel weakness in his hands and legs. He was soon diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS - aka Lou Gehrig's Disease) and had to depart from the tour. The album he featured on went gold and is often thought of as one of David Lee Roth's finest solo albums.
A few years later, Becker released Raspberry Jams (1999) and Blackberry Jams (2003), the first containing various unreleased demo-tracks and the latter being demo-tracks which were later reworked and published in other albums.
Like many neo-classical guitarists, he studied the works of violin prodigy Niccolò Paganini. Becker's rendition of Paganini's 5th Caprice is a good example of his guitar mastery.
Jason grew musically with Marty Friedman, with whom he co-wrote many songs and by whose sense of melody he was influenced while spurring him to greater heights of guitar technique. Their harmonisation-by-ear melody lines remains their trademark.
After feeling the ravages of ALS, Becker embraced spirituality, which has helped him deal with his disease. Although ALS quickly robbed him of his ability to play guitar, to walk, and even speak, he still remains mentally sharp and through the aid of a computer, continues composing music through the help of other musicians; in this way he has released Perspective (1996). He accomplishes this with a combination of a computer or a system of using his eyes to sign letters and notes. Now in his 40s, his medical condition has remained stable since 1997, which is rare for ALS.
Two tribute albums have come out for Jason Becker, featuring many guitarists playing his songs. The albums profits were sent to Jason to help him with his disease.
Jason and his friend, actor Matt Schulze are planning a movie about his life, tentatively titled Mr. Tambourine Man. According to Jason's official website, Fender and Charvel are going to make guitars for the movie and are planning to release a number of them to the public.
Jason has recently compiled a new CD, "Collection", released in 2008 on Shrapnel Records. It features 3 new songs which are performed by Steve Hunter, Greg Howe, Micheal Lee Firkins, Steve Vai, and Joe Satriani to name a few.
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TSchellhous
"I actually wrote this on a rainy day, otherwise, I would have called it 'Cry.' I wasn't necessarily sad, but feeling emotional for the suffering people in the world. My guitar is honestly crying. You can hear it. I recorded it at my friend/producer Mike Bemesdorfer's home the first time we met in 1988. Then Dan Alvarez did all of the surrounding music, based loosely on my simple keyboard part." - Jason Becker's introduction to this song on his website
Ryan Daniel
I love this song so much
Frank Strawther
Its raining right now and it went well together pretty awesome o yeah i was at slimms jason becker not dead yet gig for my 21 birthday present.
don patrick
Jason you are amazing !!!!but you know that ,thanks for all you've done for guitar!!! And for us guitarist who love to listen
Cards Joker
still my no.1 guitar hero. God bless you Jason, my brother, for the inspiration.
J H
This album makes me cry at the thought of it. The fact that one of the most promising guitarists gets ALS and cannot function right when he's about to enjoy mainstream success is terrible. He makes a comeback by writing this technical album, note by note on a computer program with his eyes and chin. Something just makes this album so damn magical.
Marty Mcfly
Music from the heavens! God bless you, Jason!
Guitar Dude Becker
he was sent from heaven !!
RIV3RA
This song should have been 30 minutes long..simply a mesmerizing melody..
Instellar
What an emotion! Jason is the only man who can make his guitar singing like that!