JAKARTA - The guitar Jason Becker received as a gift from Eddie Van Halen will be auctioned off next month.
Becker, who was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) in 1989, separated from the instrument to raise money for his ongoing treatment, which costs more than US$100,000 per year.
The guitar was given to Jason by Eddie in 1996 auctioned at New York City-based Guernsey's auction house in December.
On Saturday, November 18, Jason's social media was updated with the following message: "Hello everyone, Jason is here. I want to convey that I'm fine with the auction of this guitar. It only collects dust on my wall, and I think this should be done with someone who really loves and appreciates it like me, and hopefully shares it with other people."
"Over the years, Eddie was very kind and generous to me and my family. These memories are something we will all value forever. For many people, he is a guitar hero and a character bigger than life. He means everything about those things to me too, and then he became my friend. He is kind, generous, and loving like he is a music genius.
Every time people visit my house and see a guitar, their faces will glow, knowing that they are close to something they have to do with Eddie. My family will share stories about the day he comes, sit on our sofas, play music, and hang out with all of you. After Eddie died, I shared a video about that special day, revealing the side of him who few people have the privilege of watching him. Reading touching comments and watching the incredible outpouring of love from so many people for Eddie has really touched my deepest heart.
I hope this can be an inspiration for people to convey their deepest love to others like Eddie gave to me and my family that day.
"This guitar auction will provide benefits to my family in many ways, but most importantly, I hope it can shed some light on Eddie's incredible beating heart."
"Love to everyone, Jason, Family, and Team Becker."
Looking back a little. At the age of 19, in 1990 to be precise, Jason contracted ALS, a disease that left Jason completely paralyzed. However, through a computerization system designed by friends and his family, Jason is still able to produce phenomenal works through the album Perspective (1996), Raspberry Jams (1999), and Blackberry Jams (2003). Each composition presented by the three albums reflects Jason's enthusiasm to stay alive.
The incident occurred when Jason joined the David Lee Roth Band. While recording the album A Little Ain't Enough and preparing for the tour, Jason's right hand suddenly weakened and could barely move. Then his left leg limped.
Apart from Jason's friend, Steve Hunter, no one knows the illness he is suffering from is ALS. And when he was sentenced that his life was only five years away, Jason didn't just give up, using low-gauge guitar strings (guitar with thin strings), Jason was able to complete the album. But unfortunately, he stepped down from the tour because he couldn't play on stage. All of Jason's nerves have died.
For more than 6 years Jason Becker was paralyzed. He can't walk, eat, talk, let alone play guitar. Only his left finger can be moved. But apparently, before ALS paralyzed his total guitar playing skills, he already had some of his works collected in the Perspective album released in 1996.
Some of the compositions that were delayed after Jason was unable to move both hands he finished using a guitar and a keyboard. As his illness worsened and Jason was no longer able to play keyboards physically, Mike Bemesderfer's friend and music producer helped him with a music-composing computer program that could read his head movements.
This allows Jason to continue working even though he has lost control of his entire body. On this album, Jason chose a country rock guitarist named Michael Lee Firkins as his successor. Even though Jason only writes with his mind that doesn't mean his work can't be taken into account. Every composition presented describes Jason's passion to stay alive.
For months, even Jason has been lying down and being eroded by ALS disease for years. Jason lost his ability to speak. However, through a system developed by Jason's family, he can still communicate with his eyes. Even a few years later he released Raspberry Jams (1999), an album containing various unreleased demos. Then, Blackberry Jams was released in 2003.
This album contains demo-tracks, which are then reworked and released on another album. All resolved with only Jason's eye movements. ALS disease can only paralyze the body's organs and sound but cannot paralyze Jason's musical mind and spirit.
In his 30s, his medical condition has remained stable since 1997, this is very rare for ALS. Mentally Jason Becker remains healthy. At the back of the Perspective CD box, Jason said I have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, which makes my body deformed and unable to speak, but not with my mind.
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