GETTING MORE TALE #835: A Letter From Jason Becker
Jason Becker should need no introduction to you. Though his best known album is David Lee Roth’s A Little Ain’t Enough, he never shot to stardom like his predecessor Steve Vai. Instead Becker was struck with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Becker has steadfastly refused to give in, recording new music and being an inspiration to everyone suffering from neurological disorders. Though memories are now lost, in the mid-90s fans were asked via the rock magazines to send Jason some cards and letters of encouragement. Nobody expects the artist to send anything in return, but Jason Becker went to the expense.
They weren’t personal letters of course, but Becker went to the trouble of responding to everyone with a typed note about how he was doing. “Although I do read every letter I get, my condition has put such huge demands on my time and limited energy.” He goes into some detail on his treatments and status. At the time he could still speak but was unable to play guitar, using a computer to compose. He also mentions his solo album Perspective which was out in Japan but not the US. No domestic record label would back him due to his inability to tour or promote the album. He eventually put together an independent release in May 1996, but his condition was worsening.
That same year, Jason lost the ability to speak. His father designed a system that reads Jason’s eye blinks in order to communicate. It’s a remarkable story, and a painful one considering that Becker was a real guitar prodigy until his condition worsened.
Perhaps the coolest thing about the letter (aside from the fact that it exists at all) is that they taped a Jason Becker guitar pick to the corner. I had forgotten that I owned a Becker pick in my collection. I’ll keep it exactly where it is so it doesn’t get lost. Another neat detail is that Jason “signed” the letter with a thumb print.
Jason Becker is still making new music. His most recent album, 2018’s Triumphant Hearts, features all sorts of high-profile pals like Steve Morse, Joe Satriani, Trevor Rabin and many more. He refuses to give in and that in itself is the triumph.
mikeladano.com 
Now this is cool. Had no idea about this letter Mikey. Very awesome that he responded to everyone no matter where you lived.
That pic is awesome.
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The pick is amazing. I’m so grateful! And glad Jason is still around making music.
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I agree 100 percent Dude. So cool.
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I’d never heard of him but his story is amazing. That alone has me wanting to buy the 2018 album.
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You have probably heard of the album he did with David Lee Roth — A Little Ain’t Enough. And you definitely know someone from his old band Cacophony — a guy named Marty Friedman who later went on to Megadeth for a decade of great music.
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Such an interesting story Mike. That is someone to look up to for his courage and determination. Cool you got letter from him and sounds like a cherished piece of memorabilia.
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For sure, I had forgotten about it, but I kept every piece of correspondence I ever had with a rocker! I’m glad that all these years later Jason is still making music.
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Yeah, that is amazing he is. I’m glad to see that.
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Great story, Mike – I’m glad you still have the letter + pick & neat to read he’s still making new music
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I keep everything! Just things like letters are easy to forget about as they are filed away.
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So sad. I am a fan and it’s a testament to his and his dads resilience to keep going and find ways to communicate and compose. Nice memento to have.
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Great story. I have a hand written response from Jason Becker in the late 80’s after his Perpetual Burn album. I was so stoked to get a response from him. Seeing his perfect penmanship on the letter and his signature really means a lot now given the onset of his ALS several years later.
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