How amazing isn't this?
Jason Becker, guitar god, inspirational on al levels, and he is also a really cool person.
We first contacted his mom, Pat, in January, asking if Jason was up for doing this, and even though wehoped he would, we would have understood if he declined. But lucky for us, he was into doing this.
As most of you know/should know, Jason suffers from ALS, a muscular disease, that makes all your muscles dissappear.
Jason got this 17 years ago, and was told by the doctors that he would only live a couple more years, and that this disease was always fatal.
He proved them wrong, and for that alone, he is an ispiration for all of us.
... Did i mention he was also one of the greatest guitarplayers ever?
This disease has alot of expences, so please, go out there and buy Jasons music, you get some great tunes, and also give some money to someone who wont spend it on coke, and Italian cars..

Thanks to Jasons mom, for setting this up for us, and a HUGE thanks to Jason for answering everything, and being cool to us.
so, with no further chittchat, here is the inteview,

Jason Becker, and his love for the guitar.

1. Hey Jason, what’s up, what have you been up to lately?

Sup with you man? I have just been chillin. Just kidding. I am working on a “Jason Becker Collection” CD with two new songs. I am also working hard on my autobiography.

2. How are you feeling these days, any progress at all?

I am feeling really good. No improvements lately but no decline either so I feel blessed.

3. To the readers who might not know, please tell what ALS is, and what it does to you?
And how is ALS different from being paralyzed in an accident? Like do you feel it, if someone touches you?

ALS is a neuromuscular disease. I slowly became paralyzed. It doesn’t affect my thoughts or physical feelings at all. I believe what happens is the nerves fire so much that the muscles get weak and disappear; no one knows the cause for sure.

4. Since 1997, you've put on weight and you've regained the use of a few muscles. How has this been possible?

My guess is because I got a trache (a hole in my throat to breathe) and a G-tube (a hole in my stomach to eat/drink). Before the feeding tube I couldn’t eat much at all because it took so long. My mouth and swallowing muscles were weak.

5. Talk about the Self Realization Fellowship for a moment and tell us what it's about and how they've helped you and influenced you over the last decade or so.

They teach what Paramahansa Yogananda taught. They show that the underlying teachings of religions are the same. The differences are not really important. They also teach how to meditate and get closer to God: that there is a science to religion. I have learned how to be more compassionate and grateful.


Nice shirt Jason.

6. You're definitely a changed person since you were diagnosed with ALS and since it has taken its toll on your body so what positives experiences can you take from all of this?

I am a lot smarter and more appreciative of life. It is said that you only grow and improve in suffering. This has tested my strength and I found out I am strong. I am still happy. Maybe the best thing about it is that I can inspire others and improve their quality of life.

7. Is there any advancement in modern medicine that has shown promise in curing or alleviating your condition? What about Stem Cell and that sort of thing?

I don’t keep up with that stuff because when I did it took my mind off of living in the moment. Stem cell sounds like the most promising thing. I am ready when they are.

8. In the recommended reading section of your site, you have "Hope Springs Eternal, Surviving a Chronic Illness" by David Atkinson in your list. Now this guy has pretty much beaten the disease, but obviously he's the exception to the rule. But I really want to find out what your thoughts are on his book and how it's helped you personally to deal with your condition.

He is a great guy. I have talked to him before. It just proves, yet again, that anything and everything is possible. I love stories like his because it defies medical theory.

9. You said on your website that there is a possibility of making a movie about you, starring Matt Schulze, is there any update on that?

Matt Schulze and Trent Cooper have written a script and now are looking for investors. The movie is tentatively called “End of the Beginning.”

10. You've been working on an autobiography for some time. How far along are you in the writing process and are you looking for a distribution deal for it yet?

I have done the first draft for most of the book. I have a public relations person working on the proposal. It is really exciting. Do you have any ideas for the title?

11. What do you think of the supposed Van Halen reunion with David Lee Roth?

I don’t think much about it. I wish them a really successful tour. They both did a lot for me, as well as for rock music.


Jason and some other lead singer he worked with.

12. Have you kept in touch with either Eddie Van Halen or David Lee Roth? If so did you have any inside track on the possible reunion?

It has been quite a few years since I have talked to either of them, so I didn’t have any inside track, but you just knew it would happen some time.

13. Would you go see a show if it really happened?

Only if they invited me.

14. How was it to play with David Lee Roth, did you anticipate any hard partying with him?

It was really cool. I did anticipate a little harder partying than there was; maybe that was because I was a little bit shy. Still, there were some cool parties. Everyone in that band took me under their wings, including Dave.

15. Why do you think that the music you played in Cacophony and your solo stuff are primarily known by guitar geeks in Europe and the US, while in Asia, you are huge rock stars?

Wow, really? I had no idea. Maybe I should move to an Asian area. Boy, I have no idea why that is; maybe because all Asian people are just cooler.

16.  Special question from BK:
Did you ever tour Norway, and if so, what did you think of that?
And have you ever heard about any great Norwegian guitar players, such as Ronnie le Tekroe, (TNT),or Torstein Flakne (stage dolls)?

No, I have never toured Norway, unfortunately. I never heard those guys, but I have never heard a lot of guitarists.

17. You're credited as playing guitar on the song "Sweet Old Fashioned Blues" from your friend Joe Becker's 2005 release "Short Stories". 
When was that song recorded and is that the last appearance you've made on someone else's record?

My buddy, Joe, asked me for an old solo that I recorded on cassette when I could still play. I did that solo on my tiny Sammy guitar, with no music under it. I sent it to Joe and he wrote a song around it.

18. How did you ever come up with doing that yoyo trick?

I just wanted to have my own trick like Hendrix did. I saw my brother yo-yoing and thought, hey.

You think he know the trick, "walking the dog" ?

********Top 5 Lists**************

19. Jason Becker's Top 5 musical influences?

Man, that is tough. In no particular order; Marty Friedman, Mozart, Eric Clapton, Eddie Van Halen, and Peter Gabriel.

20. Top 5 cities to play a gig?

I haven’t played many, but, San Francisco, Oakland, Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis.

21. Top 5 musicians Jason Becker has worked with?

They were all so great. Marty Friedman, Steve Hunter, Dan Alvarez, Matt Bissonette, Michael Lee Firkins.

22. Top 5 greatest career moment for Jason Becker?

Meeting Marty Friedman, signing with Shrapnel Records, getting the David Lee Roth gig, finishing “Perspective,” and the Diablo Ballet performing to my music.

23. Top 5 most important things to Jason Becker?

Family, friends, music, compassion, and love of all sorts.

24. What do you remember best about the following albums, whether it's the band, the songs, funny stuff that happened on tour, whatever?

Cacophony – Speed Metal Symphony – I learned tons from Marty. I remember the first thing I recorded was a bass lick. I was so nervous when I saw the recording light go on. When we were recording Atma’s drums, he finished a really hard song and while the cymbals were still ringing, I said “great job,” so we had to do the end again. When we were doing background vocals for “Burn the Ground,” I kept cracking up, messing the take up.

Cacophony – Go Off – I felt like we didn’t have enough good material. I wrote words for my song, “Images,” but they sounded stupid. My girlfriend was a pain in the ass. I was probably at my peak as a guitarist. We all had a blast.

Jason Becker – Perpetual Burn – I finally felt like a leader. Atma was great and really creative. Marty was engineering a little part of “Air,” way late at night and we both fell asleep while working. I met Greg Howe and Billy Sheehan. Billy thought “Air” was the next “Eruption.”

David Lee Roth – A Little Ain’t Enough – I just got diagnosed with ALS, so I was inwardly struggling with creativity. Every guy in the band was the sweetest ever. Steve Hunter and I were the best of friends.

Jason Becker – Perspective – Good and hard times. It was fun writing orchestral stuff and working with my friends, but I could hardly breathe near the end. Some great musicians were on that CD.

Jason with Marty Friedman in Cacophony

25. Musically speaking, what kinds of music or artists are you into these days?

Lately I have been into Led Zeppelin, Flipsyde, Pink Floyd, Sarah McLachlan, and John Mayer. I have a love/hate relationship with newer music.

26. With the abrupt change in musical climate in the early 1990s carrying on into the 21st Century, do you think that if you had continued to play and record throughout that period on the level that you were at with David Lee Roth, that you would have put out music that was more indicative of what has been popular like some of your contemporaries have or would you have more or less continued in the same musical direction?

I would have changed but not in any conformist-type of way. I have never followed what is popular at certain times. I would do what I was feeling no matter what. I am always influenced by different kinds of music. I might not make much money that way but it feels good.

27. When you finally do release new music and The Recording Academy awards you your well deserved Grammy, what's your acceptance speech going to sound like?

Man, that sounds great. My new music should be out within a few months. Good question. I would say thanks to no one but me (heh, heh). I would thank all my peeps. I would have to think of something deep to say; like ‘bout time (just kidding). Man, I will have to think about that one.

28. We also plan on interviewing some up and coming musicians as well as established musicians like yourself so do you have any advice for aspiring musicians trying to get into the business?

Be positive, open and creative. Everyone has their own path in music. You don’t have to be a genius to make great music. Be yourself.

Two up and comers that are really cool are Shane Gibson and Max Dible. They are working on an album for Shrapnel Records.

29. Last but not least Jason, is there anything we forgot to ask you that you want to talk about? What about a parting shot?

Just that my “Jason Becker Collection” will have two new long songs which will have Marty Friedman, Steve Hunter, Michael Lee Firkins, Greg Howe, and Joe Satriani. Thank you so much, man.

For more info about Jason, please visithis website at:
http://www.jasonbecker.com/

Or join his myspace at:
http://www.myspace.com/72303306