Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet

Joe Satriani headlines a guitar-heavy bill that also includes Richie Kotzen, Steve Lukather, the Kehoe Nation, Flametal and more, reminding the world that Jason Becker’s Not Dead Yet. Tickets go on sale today (Friday, February 4) for the March 26 benefit show at Slim’s in San Francisco. Tickets are available for $25 online at slimstickets.com; by telephone at 1-888-233-0449; or in person at the Slim’s box office (333 11th St. San Francisco, CA 94103) weekdays 10:30-6pm or in the evening on show nights, with a $1 service fee per ticket for advance purchases. Proceeds from the Jason Becker’s Not Dead Yet Festival going towards medical supplies for Jason as well as a trust fund to provide for his future security. Doors open at 8pm on March 26 and the show begins at 9pm.

Jason Becker, a onetime guitar prodigy first known as part of the metal duo Cacophony, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, a.k.a. 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... more on guitar player

The March 26 Jason Becker’s Not Dead Yet Festival at Slim’s in San Francisco is a tribute to Jason and celebration of his amazing story, as well as an opportunity to educate music fans and guitar aficionados about the effects of ALS and the quest for a cure. The idea for the show originated with Bay Area guitarist Dave Lopez of Flipsyde and Bang Data. With the support of Jason and his family, Lopez enlisted Gary Avila of Tao Music Group to make the show a reality. From there, Guitar Player magazine’s Matt Blackett was brought on board to recruit artists for the show, and Tim McKee from Mesa Boogie and Brian Kehoe from Dunlop soon added their support. Jason’s friend Mike Shannon of ALS TDI (Therapy Development Institute) signed on to promote ALS awareness at the show.

The Jason Becker’s Not Dead Yet Festival is presented by Jason Becker with assistance from the Tao Music Group, and support from the ALS Therapy Development Institute, Mesa/Boogie, Guitar Player magazine, Dunlop, and Triple Crown Clothing. For those unable to attend the festival, donations can be made via PayPal at pat.becker@intres.com. For more on Jason Becker and his fight with ALS, go to jasonbeckerguitar.com.