Jason Becker is an American hard rock guitarist who formed the band Cacophony in the late '80s with fellow guitarist Marty Friedman and recorded two albums with it, Speed Metal Symphony (1987) and Go Off! (1988). He made the instrumental solo album Perpetual Burn in 1988. In 1989, he left Cacophony and was hired by David Lee Roth to replace Steve Vai in his backup band, appearing on the album A Little Ain't Enough (1991). Shortly after he joined Roth's band, however, he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, a rare degenerative illness that causes paralysis. Nevertheless, he succeeded in completing a second solo album, Perspective, released on his own label in 1996. Raspberry Jams, an album of demos, followed in 1999, and in 2001, through the intercession of Eddie Van Halen, Perspective was given major-label release on Warner Bros. Records

Coming benefit album for Jason Becker:

Warmth in the Wilderness ­ A Tribute to Jason Becker

Release date July 22nd ­ Jason’s birthday!

CD 1.
Stormwind ­ A little Ain’t Enough
Torben Enevoldsen ­ Altitudes
Ron Keel’s Iron Horse featuring Robert Marcello ­ Eleven Blue Egyptians Cosmosquad feat. Jeff Kollman, Vinnie Moore, Chris Poland, Jeff Watson, Steve Morse - Jam for Jason
David Martone ­ Higher
PUA feat. Carina Alfie & Linda McDonald of Phantom Blue ­ Becker Ola
Rolf Munkes’ Empire ­ Dogtown Shuffle
Evolution ­ Go Off
Mark Boals & Lars Eric Mattsson ­ Hammerhead Shark
Hit The Ground Runnin’ ­ Jasin Street
Tony Baena ­ If You Have to Shoot
Josephine of Phantom Blue ­ Baby’s on Fire
Jeff Scheetz ­ Sensible Shoes
Cyril Achard ­ ESP
Phi Ansari Yaan-Zek & Lale Larson ­ Air
Phi Ansari Yaan-Zek guitars & keyboards / Lale Larson - grand piano

CD 2.
Project Alcazar ­ Opus Pocus
Eric Sands with Mark Ragsdale ­ Mandy’s Litttle Throbbing Heart
Paul Nelson ­ Blue
May Lian ­ It’s Showtime
Jeff Pilson ­ Becker’s Bolero
Mattias IA Eklund ­ Lydia’s House
All the Usual Suspects ­ Drop in the Bucket
Rob Johnson ­ Forcefield
Mistheria with Rick Renstrom ­ Urmila
Marty Friedman ­ Black Stallion Jam
Paul Gilbert ­ Hawking
Anders Johansson ­ Primal
Eric Zimmermann ­ Rain
Mike Campese ­ Concerto
Lars Eric Mattsson, Alex Masi, Pamme, Robin McAuley- Tell the Truth
Torben Enevoldsen, James Byrd, Patrick Rondat, Roh Thal, Mike Chlasciak, Sami Asp, Lars Eric Mattsson ­ Outro Jam

All artist royalties and Lion Music’s label profits from this album are donated to Jason Becker’s family. Thank you very much for supporting this fine cause by buying the album. All participating artists have donated their work and recordings totally for free. The same goes to Eric Philippe who made the outstanding artwork. For more info please go to: http://www.lionmusic.com/

Jason Becker Official Site
http://www.jasonbecker.com/

By Pat Becker (Jason’s mom):
"...When the doctor called us both in for the results of all the tests, he said, "we have come to the conclusion that Jason has ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. It’s a neuromuscular disease, unfortunately we don’t have a cure, but there are some things that we are working on, and the normal life span is two to five years, but that can vary with different people." Jason’s immediate response was, can I still play? Go on tour? The doctor told him he should continue to live his life as he always has and he will know himself when he can’t do something anymore; there is plenty of warning. I took the opportunity to let the doctor know who he was dealing with here. As I clutched Jason’s knee, I said, "Jason has already done some pretty amazing things. He has will and determination made of iron and can play the guitar better than anyone I’ve ever heard, so he can probably get through this one." The doctor said he was glad Jason had me. Jason smiled..." continues: http://www.jasonbecker.com/AMother'sPerspective.htm

ALS Therapy Development Foundation (A non-profit organization)
http://www.als-tdf.org
ALS is a deadly neuro- degenerative disease that can strike anyone at any time, affecting 5,000 people annually.

See also:

HEALTH & SAFETY FOR GUITARISTS & OTHER MUSICIANS
http://www.guitarsite.com/health.htm

MUSICIAN'S HEALTH
http://www.musicianshealth.com/
An educational web site devoted to the understanding and the explanation of musician's injuries, along with guidelines regarding injury prevention and for achieving an optimum state of health

JASON BECKER OFFICIAL SITE
http://www.jasonbecker.com/