On December 14th, the guitar Eddie Van Halen gifted to his friend Jason Becker in 1996 will go up for auction. It was a special gesture from one friend to another. The Van Halen News Desk caught up with Becker’s close friend and assistant Stephen Correa to get the story behind this one-of-a-kind guitar and share Becker’s inspirational story.
As you’ll see Correa talk about in the video below, the day Eddie first met Becker in the summer of 1996 was an emotional one. The EVH Peavey Wolfgang guitar he brought would remain in Becker’s home ever since. Recently, Becker decided it was time to part ways with the guitar. Correa explains why he decided to do so and what he hopes it will do to further Eddie’s legacy as a musician and a human being. One thing Correa stressed to us is that he doesn’t make a penny off of his efforts and that it all goes to Becker, who continues to survive ALS courageously. In 1991, Becker was diagnosed with the disease. The ALS Association’s website states that the mean survival time with ALS is “two to five years, some people live five years, 10 years or even longer”. Becker has survived ALS for over 30 years and, as Correa explains, is able to communicate with friends, family, and his fans without the ability to speak. He also has been able to write and compose music using the same method of communication.
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Eddie Van Halen’s Visit With Jason Becker (August 31, 1996)