30 Facts About Jason Becker

Jason Eli Becker was born on July 22,1969 and is an American composer and former guitarist.

Since the dissolution of Cacophony in 1989, Becker has undertaken a solo career, releasing seven albums since his 1988 debut Perpetual Burn.

Jason Becker later joined David Lee Roth's solo band and recorded one album with him, A Little Ain't Enough.

Jason Becker's performing career was cut short by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which he was diagnosed with in 1989.

Jason Becker continues to compose with the aid of a computer and has since released Collection in 2008 and Triumphant Hearts in 2018, as well as various compilations.

Jason Becker was born in Richmond Hospital on 23rd Street on July 22,1969, and raised in Richmond, California, by his parents, Gary and Patricia Jason Becker.

Jason Becker was exposed to the guitar at an early age by both his father and his uncle who were guitar players.

Jason Becker absorbed all kinds of music from around the world and melded different aspects of each style into his playing.

Jason Becker cited Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen as early influences.

Jason Becker started out playing alongside Marty Friedman in the Mike Varney-produced duo, Cacophony.

In 1989 Jason Becker joined David Lee Roth's solo band, having released his first solo album titled Perpetual Burn in 1988, while Friedman joined Megadeth in 1990.

Jason Becker has since released the albums Perspective, Collection and Triumphant Hearts, as well as two albums of demos, entitled The Raspberry Jams and The Blackberry Jams.

In 1989, Jason Becker joined David Lee Roth's solo band to work on his third album A Little Ain't Enough, replacing Steve Vai, who left the band to record and tour with Whitesnake.

Jason Becker was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and was given three to five years to live.

Jason Becker finished the recording using lighter gauge guitar strings and other techniques, which made it easier for him to play with his weakening hands.

In 2003, Jason Becker posted on his website that he was feeling better and had gained some weight, while the folder for his 2008 album Collection mentions an upcoming book.

In 1996, Jason Becker released an album called Perspective, an instrumental album composed by him.

Three years later, Jason Becker released Raspberry Jams and Blackberry Jams ; the first contained various unreleased demo tracks, and the latter contained demo tracks and alternate versions of songs that were later reworked and published on other albums.

The album profits were sent to Jason Becker to help him with his medical finances.

On November 4,2008, Shrapnel Records released a new Jason Becker album entitled Collection.

Jason Becker released this album, titled Boy Meets Guitar, in 2012.

In October 2016, Jason Becker launched a campaign to fund an album, which was initially estimated for release in July 2017.

Jason Becker later arranged Paganini's 5th Caprice, performing it during an instructional guitar video.

Jason Becker demonstrated the arpeggio sequence during a clinic at the Atlanta Institute of Music.

Many guitarists cite Jason Becker's playing as an influence, including Nita Strauss, Guthrie Govan, Herman Li, Chris Broderick, and Daniel Mongrain, among others.

Jason Becker has appeared on many magazine covers throughout his career, including the February 1991 issue of Guitar for the Practicing Musician along with Jim Martin of Faith No More, the June 1991 issue of Young Guitar, and the July 2012 issue of Guitar Player, among others.

Jason Becker used these up until he was diagnosed with ALS in 1989.

Jason Becker has been pictured with a few Hamer superstrats as well.

From 1989 to 1991, Jason Becker used various guitars, most notably a Peavey custom model with the numbered fretboard markers.

Jason Becker recorded Perpetual Burn with a borrowed 1970s Marshall half stack and a BOSS Super Overdrive and Cacophony's second album was recorded with a Carvin X100B stack.