Jason Becker

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Jason Becker

Jason Becker, (born July 22, 1969) is an American neo-classical metal guitarist. At the age of 16 he became part of the Mike Varney-produced duo Cacophony with his friend Marty Friedman. They released Speed Metal Symphony (1987) and Go Off! (1988) which would eventually make them famous for their world-class technique.

1 Style
2 ALS
3 Perspective and The Berry Jams
4 Future Prospects
5 Discography
6 References
7 External links

[edit] Style

Like many neo-classical guitarists, Becker studied the works of virtuoso violinist Nicolò Paganini. He later composed a rendition of Paganini's 5th Caprice, performing it during an instructional guitar video of his. Becker's works often include high speed scalar and arpeggio passages that are supported by expressive melodies. The song Serrana, appearing in the album Perspective, is an example of his mastery of sweep-picking. While the version heard on the album was not recorded by Becker, he demonstrated the arpeggio sequence during a clinic at the Atlanta Institute Of Music. The video of this performance first appeared on his Hot Licks video and can now be viewed on Youtube.^[1] Jason grew up musically playing 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 'by ear' harmonisation of melody lines remains today as their trademark.

Jason and Marty toured together with Cacophony in Japan and across the U.S. In 1989 Jason left to pursue a solo career, releasing his first solo album titled Perpetual Burn in 1988.

[edit] ALS

At the age of 20, he joined David Lee Roth's band, which was considered an excellent gig for an up and coming guitarist (i.e. Steve Vai, who Becker replaced). Whilst recording the album A Little Ain't Enough and preparing for the respective tour, he began to feel what he called a "lazy limp" on his left leg. He was soon diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS - aka Lou Gehrig's Disease) and given five years to live. He could barely finish the recording, using low-gauge (thin) guitar strings and other techniques to make it easier to play with his weakened hand. No one knew of his illness at the time except for his friend Steve Hunter. Although he managed to finish the album (which later went gold), he was forced to depart from the tour due to his inability to perform on stage.

[edit] Perspective and The Berry Jams

In 1996 Becker released an album entitled Perspective, an instrumental album composed by him (with the exception of Bob Dylan´s song Meet Me in the Morning featured as the last track). The composing of the record's music had begun before ALS completely crippled his ability. By using guitar and later, when he was unable to use both hands, a keyboard, he continued to compose while his disease worsened. However, when Becker could no longer physically play even a keyboard, his friend and music producer Mike Bemesderfer helped him with a music-composing computer program which could read the movements of his head and eyes. This enabled Becker to continue to compose after he lost control of his entire body.

He eventually lost the ability to speak (since he could not move his mouth) and now communicates with his eyes via a system developed by his father. Although his ALS gradually robbed him of his ability to play guitar, to walk, and eventually even to speak, he still remains mentally sharp and, with the aid of a computer, continues composing. In the back of the Perspective CD case, Jason states "I have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease). It has crippled my body and speech, but not my mind". In his 30s, his medical condition has remained stable since 1997, which is rare for ALS.

Several years later Becker released Raspberry Jams (1999) and Blackberry Jams (2003), the first contained various unreleased demo-tracks and the latter contained demo-tracks and alternate versions of songs that were later reworked and published into other albums.

Two tribute albums have come out for Jason Becker entitled Warmth in the Wilderness I and Warmth in the Wilderness II, featuring such guitarists as Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Marty Friedman, Rusty Cooley, Mattias "IA" Eklundh. These players pay tribute to Jason by playing the songs that he played throughout his career, and some of them even wrote their own tribute songs in honor of him. The albums profits were sent to Jason to help him with his disease.

[edit] Future Prospects

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.

Shrapnel records will be releasing a "Best of Jason Becker" album. The album will feature a new song composed by Jason & featuring Greg Howe & Steve Hunter on guitar, as well as older, never-heard songs. Jason is also back in the studio, and is currently working on new material, he is hoping to utilize some of the same musicians that played for him on Perspective, Michael Lee Firkins is one of the many players that are scheduled to return to the studio.