Jason Becker is an American guitar virtuoso of neoclassical metal. Biography, creativity

Jason Becker had a truly rare talent, because only he managed so masterly to master the guitar. About the brightest and most significant moments of this beautiful musician, we will tell further.

Childhood Becker

Jason Becker was born on July 22, 1969 in Richmond (California, USA). It is known that the father of the musician was able to play the classical guitar. His musical career was also built by his uncle Ron, who earned his living by performing blues compositions. Therefore, little Jason from the earliest childhood actively tried to imitate his talented relatives.

It should be noted that Becker first picked up the guitar when he was only 5 years old. The instrument so liked the boy that he did not want to part with him for a minute. Jason's father said that the boy could not leave his room for 10 hours.

It is worth saying that the inspirers of the boy at that time were Andres Segovia and Fernando Sora - the famous Spanish classical guitarists. Later, Jason drew attention to the talent of Jeff Beck and Jimmy Hendrix. In addition, Becker actively studied the works of Mozart, Bach and Vivaldi.

Youth and fateful acquaintance

At the age of 16 Jason Becker gets acquainted with the famous guitarist Marty Friedman. The young musician was so impressed with Jason's talent that he immediately made him a tempting offer to take part in his new project called Cacophony.

The first debut album - Speed Metal Symphony - was released by the Shrapnel Records studio (all Shrapnel Records were virtuoso guitarists). After this success, the musicians begin work on a new record - Go Off. It is worth saying that both albums were well received in Japan and Europe. Americans did not pay special attention to the efforts of musicians.

Since the country did not achieve the expected success, Jason and Marty decide to dissolve the group. Now their main goal is solo activity.

Jason's solo career

In 1998, the guitarist started work on his first album - Perpetual Burn (Jason Becker wrote almost all his compositions himself, only some of them were written by his friend - Friedman).

Cooperation with the studio Shrapnel Rec continues. Here Jason meets Ritchie Kottsen and Greg Howe - well-known American guitarists.

Since that moment, Becker and Kotzen are united by strong friendship. First, the musicians jointly participate in jam, which is organized in the house of Mark Warney. And after a while, Jason Becker becomes the producer of the debut album of Cotzen, released in 1989.

When Jason turns 20, David Lee Roth suggests that he replace drummer Steve Wei. Becker, without hesitation, agrees to play in a team of American rock vocalist. In 1990, Jason became the best guitarist (according to the magazine Guitar Magazine).

Next, the young guitarist, along with the team of Lee Rota, starts recording the album A Lil 'Is not Enough. For this, the musicians are moving to Canada (Vancouver).

Disease of Jason

It is known that before listening to Lee Roth Jason Becker woke up with a sharp pain in his left leg. Then the guitarist did not pay attention to this condition, because such cases have occurred before. In Los Angeles, Becker decides to undergo a full medical examination, during which he is given a terrible diagnosis - amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease (a disease of the nervous system in which the cerebral cortex is affected). According to the doctors' forecasts, the musician had only 5 years to live.

Despite the fact that Jason was tormented by severe pain, he still continued to record the album. The musician repeatedly replayed the party and got mixed up in strings. It is worth saying that the members of the team of Lee Roth knew nothing about Becker's disease. Only later the guitarist shared his problem with Steve Hunter. He repeatedly helped Jason, which Becker later recalled with trepidation and warmth.

After the release of the album, the American guitarist decides to leave the band, as the work gets harder for him. Jason comes home. His father leaves the work and devotes all his time to his son.

Jason is now

Jason Becker, whose discography is described in our article, feels that the state is deteriorating every time. After a while the hand of the musician finally ceases to obey him. But in this situation, Becker does not leave his favorite business. The musician begins composing compositions using a computer.

Thanks to Jason's efforts in 1996, he released his album called Perspective. It is worth mentioning that the disc appears first in Japan, but later, not without the help of Edi Van Halen, is reprinted by Warner Bros. At the same time, the musician's condition worsens even more. Becker practically does not move. But here Jason does not give up, recording songs with programs that can monitor the movement of the eyes.

At the moment, Jason Becker is immobilized, but he is able to see, hear, smell and touch.

In 2007, the DVD released The Legendary Guitar Of Jason Becker.

Here it is - real willpower!