"Extra information about Jason"

GUITAR EXPERT Mike Varney founded Cacophony in 1986 together with Marty Friedman and the talented Jason Becker. Their music is described as heavy sounding riffs with fast rhythm and an exotic and oriental melody. After the release of the first Cacophony album "Speed Metal Synphony" both Friedman en Becker recorded - in 1988 - a complete instrumental solo album. After this, one more Cacophony album was released. Marty Friedman joined MEGADETH and Jason Becker went to DAVID LEE ROTH.

BY THE END OF 1989 and the beginning of 1990 Jason Becker collaborated with David Lee Roth in composing reportoir for the album "a Little Ain't Enough". Mid 1990 Jason Becker was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's Disease). Becker is only 19 years old.

DOKTERS gave him a few more years. But with an incredible WILPOWER, strenght and courage Becker is not willing to give up his passion: MUSIC.

IT'S 1996 when Jason releases a NEW ALBUM: PERSPECTIVE, with guestmusicians like Gregg en Matt Bissonette, Steve Perry and Micheal Lee Firkins.

Jason Becker: "I have ALS since I was almost 20 years old. I was a guitarist until this disease swiped that little skill (for the time being, anyway)".

BY USING A COMPUTER programma, Becker moved his chin and activated the mouse, so he could write songs for Perspective.

Jason Becker: "I wrote songs and recorded four albums. But as my guitar playing dwindled, something else in my music got better. Something indefinable. every song on this album was done during this time. They are like my kids. My mother calls them her grandsongs.

I believe I will be healed, but if not, so be it."

IN 1996 a BENEFIT CONCERT was held in CHICAGO with appearences by EDDY VAN HALEN, Steve Lukather, Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big), ZAKK WYLDE (Ozzy Osbourne), Richie Kotzen en MARTY FRIEDMAN (Megadeth). In 1997 a benefit concert will be held in the Netherlands.

AT THIS MOMENT Jason Becker can only move his eyes. His familie knows wich letter he indicates. In this way they can communicate with each other. He can sit in an wheelchair with lifesupport. Becker lives together with his fiancée Serrana, next to his parents and hopes to be COMPOSING music again soon.

Jason Becker:"It has crippled my body and speech, but not my mind...".

THE ALBUMS

Cacophony	Speed Metal Symphony (Shrapnel/Roadrunner 1987)
Jason Becker	Perpetual Burn (Shrapnel/Roadrunner 1988)
Cacophony	Go off! (Shrapnel/Roadrunner 1989)
David Lee Roth	A Little Ain't Enough (WEA 1988)
Jason Becker	Perspective (Jason Becker Music 1996)

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Text: Mirella Simoncini