music
the greatest shredder ever
In the 1980s Jason Becker was considered one of the best young guitarists America had to offer . He played alongside Mary Friedman in the duo Cacophony before leaving in 1988 to make his first solo album , Perpetual Burn . In 1989 he replaced Steve Vai to play in David Lee Roth ’ s band and was later described by Guitar Player magazine as “ the greatest shredder ever ”. Then , at the age of 20 , as he was preparing to tour with Roth , Becker was diagnosed with Amytrophic Lateral Sclerosis ( also known as Motor Neurone Disease ) and given just three years to live . That was 27 years ago , and despite his doctor ’ s dire predictions Jason Becker is not only alive , but he is preparing to release a new album . He spoke to Link Magazine music writer Anthea Skinner about his latest project .
Produced by Emmy award winner Dan Alvarez , Jason ’ s new album combines his own historical guitar recordings , new music which he has composed and solos from a host of guest artists including guitarists Mary Friedman ( Megadeth ), Steve Hunter and Joe Satriani .
“ There are three sections to the album at the moment ,” explains Jason . “ The first section is new music I have written , mostly modern classical-type stuff , and a vocal song , which is about my life and people looking for answers . The next section is some of my old guitar playing . The final section is a bunch of my friends joining me . Sometimes sections overlap . There wasn ’ t really one inspiration behind it . It isn ’ t a concept album . I just wrote and worked on what I felt , and that is what it is .”
Working with such an array of talented musicians , Jason has had to balance creating his own musical vision with letting his guest artists express their own musical voices . “ In some cases , I write the melody I want them to play ,” says Jason . “ For example , I wrote the first melody in my song , ‘ Hold On ’, on a flute sample , which I will ask Steve Hunter to copy on his guitar , with his feel . Later on in the song , I left him a section to solo over . I will probably just give him a general idea of the feeling that I want .”
Jason has been completely paralysed since 1997 and communicates using the Vocal Eyes Becker Communication System . Invented by Jason ’ s father Gary , this system has since been adopted by a number of people with severely impaired motor skills . Using the system , Jason
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