Top 25 Jason Becker Quotes

I love Richmond. I think growing up here had a profound influence on my music.

I am mostly a positive person and I think I always have been.

I think music comes out of silence… and I have a lot of silent time, without a pesky guitar interrupting my thoughts.

Even as I was trying to become a rock god, Michael Jackson was the ultimate magic rock star to me. I loved his music, his scene and style. He transcended musical categories.

I am not a perfect saint, by any means.

When President Trump promised we would get better, cheaper health care that would fix the problems of the Affordable Care Act, I hoped it was true. Unfortunately, the American Healthcare Act promises giant cuts to the programs that I and every other poor, sick and disabled person have relied on for our lives.

You know, some people think since I can’t move I am a vegetable. Wrong. Just picture yourself as you are, just always sitting down and if you need something a hot babe takes care of you. I am exaggerating a little, but this is how I see it.

Life isn’t only about moving.

I had been exposed to classical music my whole life; even before I was born.

I love soundtracks to movies and am always touched by the music if it’s good. The music in some old Disney movies, like ‘Pinocchio,’ ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and ‘Peter Pan’ really gets to me.

Not being able to play makes one be able to listen and receive better. The constant noodling on guitar can be great, but also distracting to the universal music inside you.

My parents thought art was important and a lot of my childhood was spent doing some form of it or another.

I got my first guitar for Christmas when I was five years old.

Age doesn’t affect me. With ALS, I am just stoked to have another year.

As my guitar playing dwindled, something else in my music got better.

It is just satisfying to think that, somehow, my music and my story could touch someone and make them want to make their own life better.

I remember when I was first losing my ability to play my fast licks and my hands were shaking and falling off the guitar. It forced me to sort of create a new slow style.

People often comment on the feeling and soul in my music, and I think part of that comes from the honesty and diversity of the kids I went to school with and jammed with.

I can’t stand it when people get bullied or feel ugly or worthless.

I spend time editing and massaging each note. Then I start layering with different instruments, adding harmonies, counterpoint, and whatever the song calls for. Then I arrange it into a whole piece, and decide where I need to add live musicians. It takes a lot of time, but it is very satisfying once it is complete.

I don’t miss playing guitar anymore. I’m sure that’s out of necessity, but I am grateful for so much more. I am surrounded by loving people, and I can still make music.

Generosity and kindness always feel good to give, and it never feels good to give grief or negativity.

My dad was my first influence. He played classical guitar and my uncle Ron played the blues.

I have gotten nothing but love since I was diagnosed from the whole metal community. I guess that is true about both David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen. David was very kind to me especially when I was limping and falling and when my hands started getting weak.

I am such a sucker for love; to me, it feels like the reason we are here – to love and be happy.