Jason Becker's story is as inspiring as it is sad. As guitar prodigy, Becker first achieved success in his mid-teens with the speed-metal outfit Cacophony, formed by he and guitarist Marty Friedman (Megadeth). Together, Becker and Friedman released two critically acclaimed albums, Go Off! and Speed Metal Symphony that resulted in successful tours of the U.S. and Japan. In 1988, Becker released his solo tour-de-force, Perpetual Burn, which further bolstered an already legendary reputation. His big break came in 1989 when he was handpicked by former Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth to fill his band's guitar slot once owned by guitarist extraordinaire Steve Vai. The celebration would be short-lived.
‘Perpetual Burn: The Story of Jason Becker’ is a new feature-length documentary film about the legendary guitar hero, Jason Becker; a guitarist and musical prodigy who, at just 19 and on the brink of stardom, was diagnosed with ALS, a rare terminal illness, and given just 3-5 years to live. Twenty years later, and without the ability to move or speak, he continues to compose music, note by note, with his eyes.The film will feature interviews with Jason, his family and friends, and many of the amazing musicians he’s worked with over the years and will tell the whole untold story. There will be plenty of great Jason Becker performance footage from his shred guitar years with Cacophony through to his solo work, as well as tons of unseen footage and unreleased music from the Becker archives. Jason's music is recorded by some of the world's greatest guitarists & musicians and his songs are an inspiration to millions of people around the world including a new generation of guitar players. Jason Becker movie
Like many neo-classical guitarists, he studied the works of violin prodigy Nicolo Paganini. Becker’s rendition of Paganini’s 5th Caprice is a good example of his guitar mastery. Jason grew musically with Marty Friedman, with whom he co-wrote many songs and by whose sense of melody he was influenced while spurring him to greater heights of guitar technique.
Their harmonisation-by-ear melody lines remains their trademark. In 1989, at the age of 20, he was diagnosed with ALS (aka Lou Gehrig's Disease) which slowly robbed him of his ability to play guitar, to walk, and even speak. He still remains mentally sharp and through the aid of a computer, he continues composing music through the help of other musicians. In this way he released the album "Perspective" (1996).
