‘NOT DEAD YET’: BENEFIT FOR ALS-STRICKEN GUITARIST TO FEATURE JOE SATRIANI RICHIE KOTZEN, STEVE LUKATHER, KEHOE NATION, FLAMETAL AND MORE MARCH 26 AT SLIM’S IN SAN FRANCISCO

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 www.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, aka 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.

Even after his once prodigious axe skills left him, Jason’s music continued to earn the respect of his peers. Not Dead Yet headliner Joe Satriani called 2001’s Perspectives – Jason’s first recorded work after losing his motor functions (originally self-released in 1996) – “A triumphantly powerful and beautiful album.” Fellow virtuosos joined the chorus of praise, including Steve Vai, who said, “Jason has discovered a brilliant source of inspiration within himself. His deep soul searching has resulted in a body of music that reveals courage and insight and is deeply moving.”

Jason’s original partner in Cacophony, Marty Friedman added, “To call Jason a genius is an understatement. He doesn’t cater to trend, target audiences, marketing gimmicks or anything like that. He plays out the emotions from his heart and makes real music that is a salute to the human spirit. Jason is a prodigy and on Perspectives he realizes his miraculous potential.”

Jason’s most recent album, 2008’s Collection is a mix of old recordings and new compositions, with guest guitar work from Satriani, Vai, Friedman, Michael Lee Firkins, and Greg Howe.

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 [email protected]. For more on Jason Becker and his fight with ALS, go to www.jasonbeckerguitar.com.