Who played guitar on Michael Jackson’s “Beat It”?

Eddie Van Halen famously played the solo on Michael Jackson’s iconic hit, “Beat It.” The guitar virtuoso was recruited by producer Quincy Jones for the track after he had heard a demo tape of Van Halen’s band and loved his sound. He also recorded a full version of the song with all original instrumentation that can be heard on some versions of Thriller.

The History of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It”

The 1982 classic “Beat It” by Michael Jackson is one of the most iconic songs in music history. The song has transcended generations, crossing over different musical styles and inspiring countless artists to explore new genres. Its legendary guitar solo was played by Eddie Van Halen – an artist who had already cemented his place as one of the greatest guitarists in rock music at the time. But what led to the collaboration between two such distinctively different artists?

Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” marked a major departure from his typical sound and style. At that time, he had released several albums with more uptempo dance-oriented pop numbers but wanted something heavier for this record. He enlisted Van Halen because he felt that only a guitarist of his skill could bring out the ferocity needed for this track. When presented with the demo version of “Beat It,” Eddie Van Halen reportedly jumped at the chance to be part of this musical journey, adding several bluesy riffs and blistering solos that propelled it into superstardom.

When recording began on “Beat It”, both artists brought something unique to its production: Michael added sophisticated arrangements while Eddie added some dynamic improvisation techniques, resulting in a truly unique track unlike anything either artist had ever done before. This innovative combination was recognized all around the world when it won two Grammy Awards and quickly became one of Michael Jackson’s signature songs.

The Creation of the Song

For Michael Jackson’s classic hit single “Beat It,” the work of guitarist Eddie Van Halen was essential to making it a success. With his iconic solo, Van Halen crafted an instrumental masterpiece that would go on to be ranked as one of the greatest guitar solos ever recorded. The resulting song resonated with listeners and made it one of MJ’s most famous songs in his illustrious career.

But before Eddie could deliver this unforgettable performance, there was a lot of work that went into creating the track itself. Longtime collaborator Quincy Jones produced the song at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles with some assistance from engineer Bruce Swedien who worked alongside him to achieve what can only be described as perfectionism in its truest form. A mix of rhythm guitars, keyboards and percussion instruments were used by musicians such as Paulinho da Costa and Steve Lukather for added texture before adding any overdubs or vocal takes.

Finally after weeks of recording, mixing and mastering sessions, “Beat It” was ready for release under Epic Records label where it quickly rose up the charts due to high demand from both radio stations and consumers alike. Today we still celebrate its greatness nearly forty years later – all thanks to a collaboration between musical geniuses like Michael Jackson, Eddie Van Halen and Quincy Jones.

Eddie Van Halen’s Contribution to the Track

Eddie Van Halen’s contribution to the legendary Michael Jackson track “Beat It” was monumental. Not only did he provide a blazing guitar solo, but his pioneering technique of two-handed tapping on an electric guitar became widely popularized thanks to this song. This remarkable performance is arguably one of the most iconic and influential in modern rock music history.

Van Halen’s process for recording the lead guitar parts involved him playing along with a click track, while wearing headphones containing the isolated vocals and prerecorded rhythm instruments. He then overdubbed several takes, building up layer after layer of his distinctively electrifying sound until it reached its full potential as heard on the finished record. His creative approach pushed boundaries and influenced countless other artists who followed in his footsteps.

Moreover, Van Halen’s participation allowed for another musician – Steve Lukather from Toto – to provide additional guitars throughout the song as well, filling out different parts that gave it even more depth and complexity. Consequently, due to both Eddie’s expertise and Steve’s musical input “Beat It” continues to remain an unparalleled classic in pop music culture today.

Other Musicians on the Recording

The recording of Michael Jackson’s iconic single “Beat It” was made up of some very talented musicians. Apart from the King Of Pop himself playing rhythm guitar, there were a handful of other players that gave the song its unique sound. Steve Lukather from the band Toto was invited to contribute lead guitar and his signature style added a lively, rock feel to the track. Eddie Van Halen, who had recently gained fame for his technical prowess on the instrument, provided a dazzling solo during the bridge section. The two legendary guitarists would go on to collaborate with Michael on several subsequent singles including “Bad” and “Torture”.

It wasn’t just electric guitars being used though; jazz bassist Louis Johnson also joined in on bass duties and is credited for crafting many memorable riffs which can be heard throughout various sections of the song. His brother Phillip played rhythm guitar while Bill Bottrell filled out percussion elements with both drumming and synth programming. A combination of these diverse talents resulted in an unforgettable performance that has been enjoyed by music fans worldwide since it’s release in 1982.

Legacy and Impact of “Beat It”

“Beat It,” the classic Michael Jackson hit, has become one of the most renowned songs of all time. Released in 1982 as part of his Thriller album, it quickly skyrocketed to the top of charts around the world and has remained a mainstay ever since. But what made this song even more legendary was its iconic guitar solo that took over radios everywhere. So who played guitar on this timeless track?

Eddie Van Halen, best known for being the leader of rock group Van Halen, is widely credited with playing the unforgettable electric guitar solo featured on “Beat It”. His fast-paced playing style mesmerized millions when it came out in 1983 and still influences modern day musicians today. After achieving great success with his band, Eddie showed off his skills by teaming up with pop icon Michael Jackson and creating an unparalleled masterpiece.

In addition to leaving an indelible mark on popular culture throughout its many decades of existence, “Beat It” also received numerous accolades including a Grammy Award for Record Of The Year in 1984 and a nomination for MTV Video Music Awards’ Viewer’s Choice that same year. Its status as an immortal song continues to grow as new generations discover its greatness while its legacy will live on forever through those who continue to be inspired by it.