Imagine being the hotshot guitarist of the time. You’re touring all over the world, selling millions of albums, influencing a new style of guitar playing, and just won the lead guitar spot in the band for the former lead singer of Van Halen. But then, just as your career is climbing faster than ever and there seems to be no limit to what you’ll be able to accomplish, you get diagnosed with a neurological disease that will end your music career and guitar playing forever. Most people would not know how to go on or deal with the tragedy of losing such an exciting and potentially amazing career right when it seemed to be paying off. But not Jason Becker.
Becker was 19 when he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is also commonly referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” Becker had just joined and recorded an album with former Van Halen singer David Lee Roth and was supposed to start touring until his diagnosis, but then ALS prevented that from happening.
Jason Becker was born in Richmond, California, on July 22, 1969, and first came onto the scene in 1986 (when he was just 16 years old!) by forming the band Cacophony with fellow virtuosic shredder and eventual Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman. Becker was praised for his extremely technical and fast neoclassical virtuosic guitar shredding and intense sweep-picking arpeggios. Cacophony would release two studio albums, 1987’s Speed Metal Symphony and 1989’s Go Off. Until Cacophony split in 1989 when Becker joined David Lee Roth, where he was featured on Roth’s 1991 album A Little Ain’t Enough, they underwent serious touring worldwide.
Becker’s diagnosis did not end his passion or ability to create music. Together Becker and his father developed a system in which he could still make music based entirely on just the movement of his eyes. His eye movements translate to notes and rhythms that can be turned into scores, which session musicians can eventually play. With this system, Becker has consistently put out music over the past 40 years!
Most recently, Becker released Triumphant Hearts in 2018, which featured his own compositions as well as the guitar playing from big-shot guitarists like Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Marty Friedman, former Megadeth Guitarist Chris Broderick, Journey guitarist Neal Schon, and more! The album would go on to be nominated for multiple Grammys.
Becker is still alive today after having ALS for more than 30 years. He is also the oldest known person currently living with ALS after Stephen Hawking passed away in 2018. Becker’s legacy will forever live as an inspiration for all who face challenges by proving that with enough passion, nothing can truly stop one from continuing to do what they love.
