Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” is more than just a chart-topping hit; it’s a cultural phenomenon, instantly recognizable from its opening chords to its unforgettable guitar solo. For many, the burning question remains: who was the guitar virtuoso behind this iconic riff that added a rock edge to the King of Pop’s masterpiece? The answer is none other than Eddie Van Halen, the legendary guitarist known for his революционный techniques and electrifying stage presence. His unexpected and powerful contribution to “Beat It” cemented its place in music history.
The story of how Eddie Van Halen came to play on “Beat It” is as intriguing as the solo itself. Quincy Jones, the visionary producer behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller album, sought to inject a potent rock and roll energy into the track. While Steve Lukather of Toto, a prominent session guitarist who played on much of Thriller, was initially involved with the guitar parts, Jones had a specific sound in mind for the solo – something with more fire and flair. David Paich of Toto recounted on the Broken Record podcast the sequence of events that led to Van Halen’s involvement.
Jones reached out to Eddie Van Halen with a phone call that initially left the guitar legend bewildered. As Paich recalls, Van Halen reportedly hung up on Jones, believing it was a prank call. It wasn’t until Van Halen realized the call was genuine that he agreed to participate. This decision was particularly remarkable because it meant breaking a long-standing “band rule” within Van Halen. The rule was clear: no band members were to play on outside session work. However, the allure of collaborating with Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones, and the artistic freedom offered, proved too tempting to resist, leading Van Halen to make an exception for “Beat It.”
Steve Lukather himself held no resentment about Van Halen taking on the solo; in fact, he was enthusiastic about it. Paich mentioned that Lukather was completely supportive of bringing Van Halen on board. In a later interview with Guitar World, Lukather reflected on Eddie Van Halen’s groundbreaking impact on the guitar world. He reminisced about the music scene before Van Halen’s arrival, noting that “there was no shred culture” in the 70s. Lukather credited Van Halen with single-handedly changing the landscape of guitar playing, acknowledging him as the “father of shred.” Despite this revolution, Lukather maintained his own melodic style, distinguishing it from the high-speed technicality often associated with shred guitar.
Eddie Van Halen’s guitar solo in “Beat It” is more than just a fleeting moment in a pop song; it’s a defining element that elevated the track to iconic status. His willingness to step outside his comfort zone and band regulations to contribute his extraordinary talent to Michael Jackson’s vision resulted in a timeless piece of music history. The collaboration stands as a testament to the power of crossing genres and the magic that can happen when artists from different musical worlds unite.
