SAN FRANCISCO (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Tickets for Jason Becker’s Not Dead Yet Festival at Slim's in San Francisco are now on sale for the March 26th show.
Jason Becker, a onetime guitar prodigy first known as part of the metal duo Cacophony, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease) at age 20, shortly after joining David Lee Roth’s band for the gold selling 1991 album A Little Ain’t Enough.
Although the disease robbed him of his ability to play guitar – and eventually left him both paralyzed and unable to speak – Becker continues to compose music with the help of computers, collaborators, and a system of communication using eye movements that was devised by his father Gary.
Jason Becker’s Not Dead Yet Festival is a tribute to Jason and celebration of his story, as well as an opportunity to educate music fans and guitar aficionados about the effects of ALS and the quest for a cure.
Proceeds from the Jason Becker’s Not Dead Yet Festival are going towards medical supplies for Jason as well as a trust fund to provide for his future security.
Even after his axe skills left him, Jason’s music continued to earn the respect of his peers. Not Dead Yet headliner Joe Satriani called 2001’s Perspectives – Jason’s first recorded work after losing his motor functions (originally self-released in 1996) – “A triumphantly powerful and beautiful album.”
Steve Vai said, “Jason has discovered a brilliant source of inspiration within himself. His deep soul searching has resulted in a body of music that reveals courage and insight and is deeply moving,” according to a press release.
Jason’s most recent album, 2008’s Collection is a mix of old recordings and new compositions, with guest guitar work from Satriani, Vai, Friedman, Michael Lee Firkins, and Greg Howe.
— Crystal Lynn Huntoon
