With the entire internet dumping ice water over their heads to raise awareness for ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or, as it is commonly known, Lou Gehrig’s Disease), I thought that I would put a heavy metal spin and a very human face on the story.

Guitar virtuoso Jason Becker was 19 years old and on top of the world. He had already released two critically acclaimed albums with fellow shredder and future Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman under the moniker of Cacophony as well as a blistering solo debut album. He had just been hand picked to be David Lee Roth’s guitarist following in the giant footsteps of Edward Van Halen and Steve Vai. But just one week after getting the Roth gig, his meteoric rise came to a screeching halt when he was diagnosed with ALS and told that he had 3-5 years to live. His first question to the doctor was, “Will I be able to tour?”