Jason Becker: His Complete 1990 "David Lee Roth" Interview (HD Audio)
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- čas přidán 17. 02. 2023
- In 1990, Jason Becker was rapidly ascending the heights of guitar stardom. The 21-year-old had already released two Cacophony albums with co-guitarist Marty Friedman, as well as his acclaimed 1989 solo album, Perpetual Burn. Most notable of all, Jason had just completed the sessions for David Lee Roth’s A Little Ain’t Enough. Fans of groundbreaking guitar playing were anxiously anticipating Roth’s new album and upcoming tour - after all, Dave had previously performed alongside Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai. As Jason revealed near the end of our conversation, a tour with Dave was not to be. A few days earlier, Jason had been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
In his autobiography Crazy From the Heat, Dave praised Jason as “the kindest, gentlest, most flexible, absorbing, want-to-learn spirit that I’ve ever worked with.” This parallels my observations of Jason. To help prepare me for our December 13, 1990, phone interview for Guitar Player magazine, Jason sent me an advance cassette of Dave Lee Roth’s A Little Ain’t Enough, with the request that I safeguard the music until its official release. During our interview, he spoke at length about the Roth sessions, Marty Friedman and Cacophony, his views on guitars and amps, his musical upbringing, songwriting, and more.
I hope you enjoy this unique recording, and be sure to check out the other historic interviews on the Talking Guitar CZcams channel. To help us continue producing podcasts, please hit that donate button and send some cheer our way: paypal.me/TalkingGuitar. Thank you!
I want to thank Jason for giving me permission to post this podcast and engineer/producer Nik Hunt for enhancing the sound of the 33-year-old master tape.
For more guitar-intensive podcasts and articles, visit my online Talking Guitar magazine at jasobrecht.substack.com/. #jasonbecker #davidleeroth #vanhalen #eddievanhalen #edwardvanhalen #jasobrecht #talkingguitar #nikhunt
This podcast is copyright 2023 by Jas Obrecht. All rights reserved.
I have two wonderful letters from Jason Becker (on Cacophony stationery!) from early 1989. I was bold enough to send a tape of myself to him and several other guitar gods and - gulp- ask for their opinions of my playing. Jason was very kind and encouraging. A few others were, as well, but nothing like Jason. His kindness touched me and I was so sad when he was stricken with his illness. A great person.
Nice, I also got a handwritten letter back from Jason with the "Cacophony" letterhead on top back in 1989. Was blown away to get a handwritten response from him. I still have it and to this day I still remember his penmanship was absolutely perfect...which isn't too surprising considering his attention to detail and perfection in his guitar playing :)
Man that’s really cool! Also props to you for having the guts to do that.
Whenever you’re feeling sorry for yourself think of this brave kid.
So true..Respect ✊
yeah whenever I've been at my worst I think of Jason and listen to his music, and it kicks me in the ass and I hope up and feel grateful.
The world needs to know him
Ain't that the truth. Jason is a HUGE inspiration to all of us. He is a true fighter. God Bless you Jason. 🙏
Good point
Jason’s spirit to live is beyond regular human comprehension. He’s survived with ALS probably longer than anyone else in the world. I’ve always loved Jason and I always hope people create more content about him. Rick Beats need to make a video about how he was a child prodigy and shredding with one hand and using a yo-yo 🪀 with the other. Man that shit was wild.
When I heard Jason say he used .08 gauge strings I felt vindicated because I’ve used NYXL .08’s for a while and they feel so great to play and are so easy to move around on and bends are effortless. They are like .09’s tuned down to Eb but just smoother feeling. You have to have a light touch with them on the high strings. Long Live Jason! The heights he reached in his playing by 15…I can’t think of anyone else who was that good that young.
Great to hear Jason's voice
❤ Jason Live Long and Prosper☮️
Only 21 to come down with ALS-way too young for a life threatening illness-Stay in Good Spirits; I’d be so bitter & depressed about my life’s path❣️
Sharing with fellow musicians helps his moods - when did he come down with ALS?
I remember reading this interview, and being GUTTED by the revelation of his ALS diagnosis. It is so amazing what he has been able to keep doing and by surviving for so long. Very inspirational.
Same here. I heard the news and was at a diner with a friend … just tearing up the whole night.
I am amazed that in this interview Jason talks about his ALS. I have to admit I had to stop listening to it for a moment and then return it to hear it again amazing God bless him.❤
I had the exact same reaction.
Jason’s musicality, even when shredding at the highest levels, is unrivaled. Unrivaled meaning he did it better than all others of all time. He never lost a sense of melody, regardless of note quantity.
In med school, I specifically spent a significant amount of time studying ALS (and other neuro-degenerative diseases) in his honor. I also picked up his signature “Bluey” which is practically a cheater guitar because it plays so easily.
Please take the time to PayPal his family some money. This is an extended guitar family!
Thank you Jas for yet another monster interview. Your channel deserves to grow to massive proportions, my friend.
Much love to Jason, Jas, and their families.
Jason Becker is a miracle! What a beautiful soul and brilliant guitarist. Thank you Jason and Jas for allowing us to hear this amazing piece of history. I will always believe that Edward Van Halen gave Jason some healing love on that one special day. God bless! 🎸❤
God what a sweet guy. Great interview. Thanks so much!
Jason was just the sweetest guy as he melted your face got to see him and Marty do some tracks for the cacophony record it was mind-boggling it's amazing to think what would have been
What a gem to hear this interview. So sad he never got to play live with DLR band. His stamina through all the years since, is just incredible. He would've kicked some serious ass out there! Reminds me of the old LA days, Marty got Megadeth, Paul Gilbert got Mr Big, Scott Travis got Judas Priest, Jason got DLR. It's funny to hear Bob Rock's name. This was before the Black album but he already had all kinds of credits. I didn't know he worked on this album.
saw him with marty at a cacophony clinic and convert, and then attended his benefit fundraiser a few years later. amazing talent.
I fucking love Jason Becker…man this guy would of taken over the world. I became obsessed with his documentary because I never saw someone who was 15 years old, looked like a grown man and played like no one I ever heard before. He was like a mix of Eddie, Shawn Lane and Malmsteen. He just had something so unique and different. His playing really really moved me. I remember watching the documentary thinking how could I of never heard of this guy and then they announced he had been diagnosed with ALS and I was heartbroken. It was the worst feeling I ever had watching a musical documentary but to know he continued to live and the fact he’s still alive, shows his spirit to live is so strong….the guy is just on a different plane. Now he composes with his eye by moving it up down left and right….fucking unreal. Just staggering. God Bless you Jason. You inspire us all and that Yo-Yo 🪀 trick while shredding is still one of the most badass guitar tricks I’ve ever seen.
Your channel is great man. Between all the Van Halen content and now Jason Becker! Awesome shit man. Jason deserves a lot more spotlight for not only his prodigious virtuoso symphonic guitar playing but because he’s survived and lived with ALS for 40 years when they gave him 2 years to live. He’ll never give up. He writes symphonies by moving his eye’s…pure genius.
Tears fill my eyes whilst hearing Jase speak of the disease, you can hear in his voice; speaks soft. I hope millions hear this. Jason is just like your buddy next door. More down to earth than any of them.
breaks one's heart. His prowess had so much potential.
I won't let go of my Perputual Burn Seymour Duncan.
Thanks , Jas for sharing this.
"We love you, Jason! For us who still play ferociously, a piece of you is in our hearts."
regards,
Eric
what an incredible interview. Jason is my all time favorite guitarist and inspiration in life.
What an absolutely amazing interview with a real beautiful soul. I was Jason’s age at that time, guitar player, dreaming of being in a big band and followed all the young hotshots in Guitar Player. I saw Dave’s band on the Lil Ain’t Enough tour - the tour Jason couldn’t play on. It’s truly heartbreaking. Thanks for sharing it 👍🏼
Awesome interview! Great to hear Jason so upbeat knowing the future being up in the air. My biggest takeaway is we all knew how mature he was at 20 on the guitar, but if he's hanging out and best friends with Steve Hunter he was obviously was more mature and regarded that most 20 year olds. Sounds like Jason parents really helped make him a well rounded guy who could take on the world! Thanks for sharing!
Incredible interview with one of my hero’s! Thank you!
You blazed on Drop In the Bucket, Jason. Those major runs before the outgoing bridge are insane levels of guitar playing.
Jas. Thank you so much.
Jas, thank you so much.
I’ve waited 33yrs for this.
My life isn't that great. So yep I'd give my life for him to walk again. Many more care for him than care for me
Would be so cool and badass to see Jason and David playing live together just couple song on stage!
I got to see that DLR tour when he came through Philly and Joe Holmes stood in for Jason sadly...it was my chance to see the guitar GOAT and it just sucks so bad I missed my chance but the saddest thing of all was that Jason couldn't go on doing what he mastered and loved the most!!!
jason is so strong man. he was just given an als diagnosis a few days prior and his doctor would have definitely told him what was to come and he still does this interview and answers every question. and he purposefully doesnt say the grim reality of the disease when asked about als as to not bring the mood down. i would have been spending all my time crying in my room cursing god. what an inspiration jason is. cant believe ive never heard this until now.
Just a monster guitarist definitely one of the best at the time.
Amazing interview, thanks! Surprised to hear how many different guitars he used back then just for one record!
Jason wrote the 2 best songs on that album!
Tell The Truth is one of my favourite songs of all time…
Thank you for this!
Amazing interview! Thanks so much for sharing Jas!
Drop in the bucket is the best song on that album. It is too bad he didn't contribute more.
29:30 ....bone chilling .. so sad.
Jb truthly guitar inspiration
The greatest guitar prodigy, along with Shawn Lane, of my lifetime. I would have loved to see him play till he was at least 30 years old. ..
Jason is a humble guy and very nice guy
Interview starts at 2:04
I'm with johnmartin60515...not to feel better about my life to feel more grateful for HEALTH. Imagine he doesn't even get to enjoy the world tour with Dave and experience the big time of the " baby" HE created ( guitar wise)....Dave was very kind in his book and didn't Eddie Bond w him personally?? I'm pretty sure about that. He's in a much better place.
God Bless Him for creating as a long as he can-please support him just so he can survive & breathe w/o a respirator- donate to lengthen his life as long as possible.
Jason will always be my guy when it comes to electric guitar. Him, Shawn Lane, Guthrie Govan, and Matteo Mancuso will always be the GOATs, as far as I'm concerned.
The most interesting thing was most of the songs were already written
ALS is a cruel disease without a cure (Lou Guerig Diseas); so talented & innovative, such a shame esp in the US healthcare system
Hmm..so..He said it was all recorded digital but later You asked if processing was added once they got it on tape & He said yes .?..I'm confused...haha..just kidding..Love this Jas..Thanks again for another great interview post.
29:25
Healthcare in the US sucks & lets people die due to lack of funds; ❤him & help him -other countries support these talented people to keep ‘‘em going directly from his brain impulses
So funny ....... Who ? Bob Rock ? What's his real name ?!? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Wrong page
Brock? ..cringe I guess Bob Rock wasn't that hot at this time?
A Little Ain't Enough was a great rock song... Unfortunately, rock music was a swamp by 1990, in its final year before Grunge bored the world... so it got lost in the shuffle and wasn't a hit. If Diamond Dave released this in 1985... or 1986... it would've been huge. It's another big, loud, anthemic rock song with the gang chorus and squealing guitars... But by 1990 this formula was dying. By 1991 it was totally dead and wiped from MTV and mainstream radio. AND THAT SUCKED!