The History Of: Jason Becker

Before we get started I would like to thank my friend invisible_man, because without his help I wouldn't finish this column. He and all the other users on the UG Contribution forum were a great help. Enjoy.

Jason Becker is without a doubt one of the most incredibly talented guitarists and musicians to have appeared since the invention of the electrical guitar. His story is one of the most tragic and inspiring in the world of music and one that receives far too little attention (no UG column about him already???). So without further ado: The History of Jason Becker.

Born on July 22, 1970, Jason was first introduced to the guitar at the age of 5. Both his father (also an artist) and uncle were guitarists from whom he was able learn quite rapidly, becoming an excellent musician at an early age.

Even at a young age we would reportedly practice for over 10 hours a day to the likes of Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Eddie Van Halen. He was also heavily influenced by various world music, and like friend and fellow ex-Cacophony band member Marty Friedman, Jason’s compositions often feature exotic and unusual scales. By the time he was in the sixth grade Jason was already playing local coffee houses and school dances.

In high school Jason was introduced to Marty Friedman with whom he shared similar musical tastes and extraordinary musical talent. In 1986 the duo formed speedmetal band Cacophony, releasing their first album (Speed Metal Symphony) in 1987, at the age of only 17. Hailed as a masterpiece, Speed Metal Symphony features some of the most incredible, fast, complex and melodic guitar playing ever recorded. Following the release of a second album in 1988 (Go Off!) which proved a complete commercial failure, Cacophony disbanded.

Also in 1988, Jason released his first solo album, Perpetual Burn, a must-have for any shred guitar fan, full of the aggressive, classical-influenced (Paganini, in particular was a major influence) harmony, counterpoint and sweep picking that is Jason’s signature style.

In 1990, at the age of 20, Jason was offered Steve Vai’s place in the David Lee Roth band. With David Lee Roth he recorded A Little Ain’t Enough, which is largely considered to be David’s best solo album. Jason’s career had never looked better, until disaster struck. What began as a slight weakness in his left leg was soon diagnosed as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a degenerative nerve disease. His doctored estimated that he had at most 5 years of life left. Although he ignored the diagnosis for quite awhile, taking it as a temporary setback that would soon clear up, by the time recording of the album finished Jason’s ability to play guitar had diminished to the point where he had to depend almost entirely on the tremolo bar for vibrato.

Now unable to play guitar, Jason moved to his parents’ home. There, he found refuge in spirituality, which helped him come to terms with his condition. He places considerable credit for his prolonged life on Ammachi, his guru and on the teachings of Yogananda, which he follows. Supported by loving friends and family he began to compose through his computer and released an album of original material (played by other musicians), Perspective, in 1996. Since that time his condition has stabilized and two albums of demo-tape material were released, The Raspberry Jams in 1999 and The Blackberry Jams in 2003. There have also been unconfirmed mentions of a movie about his life in the works. To this day, Jason continues to write music out of his home in Glendale, California although currently he is focusing most of his energy on spiritual healing and writing.

Discography

Speed Metal Symphony (1987) — with Cacophony

Go Off! (1988) — with Cacophony

Perpetual Burn (1988)

A Little Ain't Enough (1991) — with David Lee Roth

Guitar's Practicing Musicians: Volume 2 (1991) — rare compilation CD featuring numerous established guitarists

Perspective (1996)

The Raspberry Jams (1999)

The Blackberry Jams (2003)

A number of Jason Becker tribute albums have also been released, notably Warmth in the Wilderness Vol. I and II.

Becker’s official site (very informative, lots of content, lots of great articles).

"If you have control over your mind, you can do anything." - Jason Becker

POSTED: 07/01/2006 - 04:35 am

+ print this article

+ mail to a friend

Comments

[Mattalac]

I haven't read it yet. But i'd like to say, it's about time someone wrote more about Jason Becker. Serrana is remarkable along with most songs he's written/co-written). This article seems very short though. But atleast it's here.

[zebrahead234]

short, but atlest its accurate

becker till the end

[Malmsteen07]

Pretty good. Very brief though. And as I remember Van Halen wasn't that huge an influence on Jason. Malmsteen on the other hand was a huge one (theres a video of him playing Black Star on you tube). Also I have never EVER heard anyone call a little aint enough Dave Lee Roth's best solo album. Its good, but nowhere near great. It only went gold... compared to the multiplatinum EEAS and Skyscraper.

[No Seatbelt]

Good article. Jason Becker is amazing.

[hepzibahbaptist]

sweet

[invisible_man]

I submitted this while you were banned (I thought you were perma-banned!) and it was rejected

Oh well, good job man!

[Ierius]

It's about time someone posted about Jason, his story is incredible, it's inspiring. The article's too short to apreciate it. Go to www.jasonbecker.com and read his complete history...It's great.
thanks for the article, good one.

[~TheLastWarrior]

The Cacaphony albums are still great!

[Night_Lights]

An inspiration not just as a guitarist, but as a human being.

[Spity90]

jason becker is god, good thing i was about to get 1/2 of the hot licks video this guy put out... amazing

[Muggus]

Yet another promising guitarist who's career was cut short. It's a shame, but his story and ability as a guitarist is definately inspiring.

[The Demiurge]

that storys sad if i lost a hand i think id lose the will to live :'o(

There is much more to be said than what was said here.

I'd have expected it to be much longer.

[blackborrego]

finally a column for the best guitarist in the world maybe he sold his soul like paganini lol no !! virtuoso guitarist !! he is the best i dream to play like him, just a dream. honor a quien honor merece !! the god in the guitar !!

[star_playa619]

AWESOME!!!finally someone did somethin good...haha
well, but it was shoert though.but good

[FadingRoots]

We live thinking we will never die.
We die thinking we had never lived.
Cut it out.

Great article, brief, but it covered all the most important points.

He is improving, though, supposedly.

[permanentmarker]

i never realised becker was as great a player as he is until i read this, im goin out to buy his first album as soon as i decide not to be skint anymore

[Axe Miester]

I never really bothered to ever listen to him or his partner Marty, but I love this story. That Jason Becker was able to survive and still make music thru a positive lifestyle makes me curious to hear berry jams. It's like I'm sure they'd be parts I'd like from it just because.

[thenephilim]

If you havn't listened to jason or Marty you're missing out on some AMAZING music.

Good article but yes, it was a bit short.

[Gman400]

Already new all that but it's nice to get the word out! BTW the movie is tentatively titled Mr Tamborine Man (I think.)

[becker009]

becker has been my largest influence. he is truely an inspiration to all guitarists and should be to people in general as well. everybody should check out his work.

[altronataku]

I prefer Marty's music and style more than Jason, but Jason is undoubtedly more of a hero. He is so courageous and passionate, it's hard not to respect him.

[altronataku]

blackborrego :
finally a column for the best guitarist in the world maybe he sold his soul like paganini lol no !! virtuoso guitarist !! he is the best i dream to play like him, just a dream. honor a quien honor merece !! the god in the guitar !!

There's no suck thing as the best guitarist in the world.

[Modernmusich8er]

Hopefully we find a cure to ALS and he can shred once again. There's a documentary on youtube that you need to watch if you like Becker.

[garden of grey]

10.
a becker article was needed, and this one was short and to the point.

[Metalology]

Risiliance wrote:
There is much more to be said than what was said here.

I'd have expected it to be much longer.

As smart as you are and as much as I like you, you're picky as hell.

[Heath_N]

Jason Becker was a huge influence on my playing. Perpetual Burn and A little ain't enough (with DLR) are still played in my car. Great player with amazing sense of melody. If we can only have what he has already produced as a guitarist/musician then we are richer for it. If you haven't already, listen to his playing.
Good article!

[tomhess]

Yes Risiliance, there is a LOT more that can be (and has been) written about Jason, but the original post by steinmann is cool for those that might not already know the basics of Jason's musical timeline of releases. Plus its a good thing to bring the conversation open here again..


Anyway, my comment here is really just to say (again) that Jason was, is and will always be, a huge inspiration to me both musically and personally..(one can certainly here that influence in some aspects of my phrasing). THe virtuoso guitar community owes a lot to Jason...what an amazing musician and more importantly an amazing person...

For those who care to do so, Jason's family accepts personal financial donations to help pay for Jason's MASSIVE medical expenses. Any amount would be helpful to both Jason and his family to pay for Jason's medical care..

I also recommend checking out Jason's website as there is a lot of very interesting things about him there, as well as his own writings that are excellent...

Checked.

[Perpetual Burn]

Ah, refusing to surrender to ALS. That is the Becker spirit.