Guitarist Jason Becker, who is paralyzed with ALS (Lou Gherig's Disease), is featured in a new interview with Classic Rock Revisited. An excerpt appears below.

By A. Lee Graham - January 2009

Technique means everything to guitarists determined to master every nuance their nimble fingers can manage.

But what if that vanished? What if the mere ability to grab a guitar, let alone pull music from its strings, simply disappeared?

Jason Becker knows that reality firsthand. Diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gherig's Disease) in 1989, the California virtuoso had just nailed the coveted role as David Lee Roth's guitarist. Thousands of musicians would have sold their souls for the gig, but Jason's humble nature, coupled with an understanding of song craft and music theory, proved him ready for the next step in a dizzyingly successful career trajectory.

Having conquered the shred world with Cacophony, the speed-metal juggernaut he co-founded with Marty Friedman, Jason had the world at his feet. But destiny had different plans. Suddenly, the fun-loving phenom known for playing yo-yo and blinding guitar runs — at the same time — faced challenges far beyond the fretboard.

Jason would lose the ability to play, stand, walk, talk and enjoy almost all physical movement. But thanks to tirelessly devoted parents, he discovered a new outlet for musical expression, one that required no physical performance. ALS had turned Jason from performer to composer. Through a unique communication process, he began communicating his thoughts, feelings and music through eye movement. Mastering the new language meant everything for a man determined to continue composing and making the world a better place.

His latest gift is Collection, which repackages classic Jason Becker music with three new songs. "River of Longing," "River of Longing (Reprise)" and "Electric Prayer For Peace" rival vintage Becker for naked emotion, stellar musicianship and a maturity that push the human element beyond mere technique and showboating. Helping fulfill Jason's vision is a veritable who's-who of guitar royalty. Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Greg Howe, Marty Friedman and Michael Lee Firkins help make their buddy's vision a reality.

Having defied the odds and outlived many doctors' prognoses, Jason continues to inspire new generations of guitarists. His latest miracle is this Classic Rock Revisited interview. How he summoned the energy to answer every question is mystifying. Though unable to converse by phone or in person, Jason graciously answered all questions via e-mail with characteristic humor, honesty and enthusiasm.

Lee: Collection spans your entire career, from Perpetual Burn to some new compositions. Why release it now? Was your intent to share your art with a new generation of listeners?

Jason: "I had been wanting to do a Best Of album for a while, then Mike Varney of Shrapnel Records asked me about putting one together. I wanted new people to be able to hear the stages of my career, but I wanted my old fans to have something new. When Varney first asked me about it, I hadn’t started working on the new songs. We talked about waiting until I finished them. I was nervous because I hadn’t worked on new music for quite a while. I didn’t know if my new system would work."

Lee: What's been the fan reaction? They must keep you busy with e-mails!

Jason: "The reaction has been so great. I couldn’t be happier that people really get and feel what I am doing. You never know if people will feel your emotions. I must say, I was pretty blown away when the great Uli Jon Roth told me he loved it and thought it was magic. That was big for me. I feel the same about his music."

Go to this location for the complete interview. Click here for information on Collection.