Metric F*ckton of Killer Guitarists Set for Jason Becker Fundraiser & Celebration
Approximately 2/3rds of all great living metal guitarists are set to participate in an upcoming mega-event to raise money and celebrate the music of Jason Becker.
If you’re reading this, I probably do not need to tell you that Becker is an iconic guitarist who has continued to make music despite being afflicted with ALS since 1990 (for context, Polyphia guitarist Tim Henson, one of the participants in this event, wasn’t even born until 1993). This is made all the more remarkable by the fact that he was initially only given a few years to live.
The event, which will take place between March and April, will be hosted on the Twitch channel of Dragonforce guitarist Herman Li. According to a press release, it will include a “livestream telethon-style fundraiser” during which the 18 trillion participating guitarists will “play, jam and participate in fan-generated challenges;” a Reverb auction of “signed guitars, merch and other rare items” from the various guests; and another auction, this one for “Three of Jason’s most important guitars will be auctioned off later this year, including the guitars seen on the covers of Perpetual Burn, Speed Metal Symphony and the original ‘Numbers’ guitar played by Eddie Van Halen.”
All the money is going to Becker’s medical trust, and they’ve apparently already raised an impressive $13K.
Speaking of impressive, here’s the ridiculous list of participants… and they are going to add more in the future:
- Marty Friedman
- Steve Vai
- Joe Satriani
- Steve Lukather
- Mark Tremonti (Alter Bridge)
- John Petrucci (Dream Theater)
- Kiko Loureiro (Megadeth)
- Tosin Abasi (Animals as Leaders)
- Nita Strauss (Alice Cooper)
- Orianthi
- Devin Townsend
- Dave Ellefson (Megadeth)
- Michael Angelo Batio (Nitro)
- Guthrie Govan
- Tim Henson (Polyphia)
- Alex Skolnick (Testament)
- Albert Lee
- Matt Heafy (Trivium)
- Zoltan Bathory (Five Finger Death Punch)
- Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal (ex-Guns N’ Roses)
- Satchel (Steel Panther)
- John 5 (Rob Zombie)
- Gus G (Firewind, ex-Ozzy Osbourne)
- Nili Brosh (Seven the Hardway)
- Jason Richardson (All That Remains, ex-Born of Osiris, ex-Chelsea Grin)
- The Dooo (YouTube)
- Jared Dines
- Ola Englund (The Haunted, ex-Six Feet Under)
- Steve Terreberry (StevieT on YouTube)
- Tyler Larson (Music is Win on YouTube)
- Cole Rolland
- Thomas McRocklin (Bad4Good)
- Rusty Cooley
- Mattias IA Eklundh (Freak Kitchen),
- Sam Totman (Dragonforce)
- Chris Broderick (Act of Defiance, ex-Megadeth)
- Lari Basilio
- Sophie Lloyd
- Federico Mondelli and Fabiola Bellomo (Frozen Crown)
- Alex Lee (Holy Grail)
- Stevie Salas
- Elliot Easton (The Cars)
- Mika Tyyska
- Daniel Dekay (Diemonds)
- N&M Creation (YouTube)
Fuck. Ing. A.
Event co-organizer Herman Li says:
“I’ve been a huge fan of Jason Becker since I was young, and it’s one of the biggest honors of my life to be able to help organize this tribute and raise money for him. I still have a Jason Becker poster in my studio in London. It’s been very inspiring to see everyone coming together to celebrate Jason.”
Adds Becker:
“I am so grateful for all the love and support everyone has given to me and my family. As far as selling my guitars being sad, and that I shouldn’t have to do it, I just want you to know that isn’t how I feel. It makes me happy to see others playing my music. I feel good about passing on my guitars, thinking they mean something to others. I can’t play them now, but other folks can. That’s a good thing. And, I want myself and my family not to have to worry about money, if possible. Thank you for all the love, I send it right back to you.”
Get the specific schedule of which guests are appearing when at this link.
