[Blog]Keiths Counterpoint vol.3 The ice bucket challenge has also reminded people of guitarist Jason Becker Written by Keith Cahoon In America the last couple of weeks TV and social media have been buzzing with the ALS ice water challenge. ALS (amyotropic lateral sclerosis), is commonly known in America as Lou Gerhig disease- named after the much loved NY Yankee baseball player who died of the disease in 1941. It is a condition that atrophies nerve cells and leads to loss of muscle control, including for some the loss of ability to breathe. The disease also was given quite a lot of attention in 1999 due to the best -selling book Tuesdays with Morrie (later turned into a film) written about a popular university professor, Morrie Schwartz who also died of the disease in 1995, and in his last days spoke with a former student about his life and the disease. (Morrie Schwartz was the father of well known Tokyo-based journalist Rob Schwartz). About 5,600 people a year are diagnosed with the disease in America. The causes of ALS remains unknown, however it is not hereditary, and it strikes all races and ethnic backgrounds, but most often white males. Both genetic and environmental factors are being researched. Famed physicist Stephen Hawking has lived with he disease for over 50 years, but only 10% of those with ALS live longer than 10 years. The ALS ice water challenge is not entirely logical, as it asks that a person dump a bucket of ice water over their own head to raise awareness of ALS. Many or most of the ice bucket brigade film the event, donate money in support of ALS research, and then challenge friends by name to do the same within 24 hours. While in some ways a silly fad, it has helped raise serious money for research, over $70 million and counting. Those who have submitted include business icons like Apples Tim Cook, sports stars LeBron James, Derek Jeter, and Tiger Woods; and music stars such as Taylor Swift, Eminem, Rihanna, Kiss, Def Leppard, Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani, Icona Pop, Iggy Azalea, the Roots, Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber, Weird Al, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Lily Allen, Linken Park, Ludacris, Macklemore, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Carrie Underwood, Carole King, Disclosure, Dr. Dre, Eddie Vedder, and Dave Grohl, to name just a few. Even former US President George Bush joined in. The ice bucket challenge has also reminded people of guitarist Jason Becker, who has lived with the disease for 24 years. Becker started on guitar and age 5, and in his youth studied music intently, including classical and metal. As a teen he formed the band Cacophony with Marty Friedman, and the group released two albums on Shrapnel Records Speed Metal Symphony (1987) and Go Off. After the band broke up Friedman joined Megadeth, and Becker, at age 20, took over Steve Vais role as guitarist in David Lee Roths band. However, soon after he was diagnosed with ALS and given three to five years to live (typical life expectancy after being diagnosed) . He slowly lost his muscle control and ability to play guitar, and in 1996 lost his ability to speak. Since then he has communicated and composed music by an eye movement system created by his father. Without the ability to move or speak he recorded the albums Perspective (1996) and Collection (2008)- which includes guest appearances by Vai, Satriani, Friedman, Greg Howe, and Steve Hunter. In 2012 a documentary was made about Jasons career and fight against ALS, called Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet. It includes interview footage with friends Marty Friedman, Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. The film has already been released in the US and UK, and a Japanese release is scheduled for November 8 via Medallion Media. There have also been two tribute albums recorded for Jason Becker Warmth in The Wilderness 1 & 2, which also feature his famous friends, and raise money for his medical costs. Later this month will be volume three of the live music event Jason Becker: Not Dead Yet at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco with guitar greats Richie Kotzen (Poison, Mr. Big, Winery Dogs), Michael Lee Firkins and Steve Hunter (Lou Reed, Alice Cooper) amongst those participating. *Check photos and music clips or videos of artists/works listed in the article here ⇒ mikiki.tokyo.jp/articles/-/3410 （日本語訳もあり）
Posted on: Wed, 01 Oct 2014 14:03:39 +0000
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