12:50 PM
rumdrop
Here is a guitarist who's actual guitar playing career was very short, so he may get passed over by the younger generations and the media; but in many peoples minds .. he should have been in that top 10 list
A VERY SPECIAL MENTION
~ to one of the greatest ~
JASON BECKER
Jason Becker started playing guitar at the age of 5, by sixth grade he was playing local gigs and at 16 was in his first professional band "Cacophony", a neoclassical speed metal/shred band, which he formed with fellow guitarist Marty Friedman. Their debute album 'Speed Metal Symphony' features some of the most incredible, fast, complex and melodic guitar playing ever recorded. Some of Jason's influences have been his father, his uncle, Jimi Hendrix, Niccolò Paganini, Bob Dylan, Django Reinhart, Yngwie Malmsteen & Jeff Beck. 1988 see's his first solo album, 'Perpetual Burn'. At the age of 20 he joined David Lee Roth's legendary band. 1990, he won a readers' poll for best new guitarist in "Guitar Magazine". But tragidy struck whilst recording the album 'A Little Ain't Enough' he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and given only five years to live. This did not deter this true virtuoso, he managed to complete the album. Robbed of his speech, crippled in body, breathing via a machine, Jason has never given up his love of music. He communicates via eye movements and composes many magnificent works with his computer. His medical condition has remained stable since 1997. Jason's life as an artist and person should be inspirational not only to fellow guitarists but every musician. In his own words "If you have control over your mind, you can do anything."
source: http://www.philbrodieband.com/muso-shredders.htm
