Steve Stevens was the guitarist on Michael Jackson’s iconic Thriller album. He is a Grammy-nominated American musician, composer, and record producer best known for his work with Billy Idol in the early 1980s. In addition to working with Jackson on Thriller, he also wrote and performed songs for other big names such as Elton John and Cher. His guitar playing has been described as “dynamic and innovative” by critics due to his use of synthesizers and effects pedals.
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The Making of Thriller Album: Overview
Thriller, the 1982 sixth studio album by Michael Jackson, was an unprecedented hit and is still considered to be one of the most popular albums of all time. Produced by Quincy Jones, it featured nine chart-topping singles including “Beat It” and the title track, “Thriller”. Along with its critical acclaim and monumental commercial success, Thriller stands as a tribute to both music production excellence and guitar playing genius.
When it comes to producing the sounds for such a legendary album, nobody could match the skills of session guitarist Steve Lukather. A former member of band Toto that has worked alongside many pop stars like Elton John and Stevie Wonder in his illustrious career, Lukather was called upon by Jones to help make Thriller even more spectacular. His commitment resulted in an impressive array of catchy riffs on tracks like “Human Nature” or powerful solos on songs like “Beat It” and earned him two Grammy Awards in 1983 as part of Jackson’s team.
In addition to being brought up in various interviews over years since then (including one he gave during 2019), Steve Lukather also contributed with several guitars used throughout the recording process such as ’66 Stratocaster or Marshall amps on some recordings which gave the project a perfect sound that resonates well after almost four decades later. Consequently his contributions were fundamental for making Thriller what is today: an iconic album that sold tens of millions worldwide cementing Michael Jackson’s reputation as The King Of Pop forever.
Lead Guitarist on Thriller: Eddie Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen is a legendary rock guitarist who contributed to many iconic songs. On Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Eddie Van Halen delivered the unmistakable guitar solo that made the track so special. That solo was recorded in one take and has gone on to be one of his most recognizable works. It’s still instantly recognizable today as a signature moment from this classic album.
As an accomplished musician, Eddie Van Halen brought an intense level of technical skill to the recording sessions for Thriller. He put forth great effort into crafting a memorable solo that fit perfectly with Michael Jackson’s otherworldly vocals and haunting synth lines. His playing style blended shredding riffs with melodic lead licks, creating a unique combination of hard rock and pop sensibilities that is often imitated but rarely matched in terms of sheer energy and flair.
Van Halen’s contribution to Thriller lives on long after its initial release, providing fans around the world with an inspiring example of what can be achieved when a master musician puts their own spin on an already iconic piece of music. As time passes, it only gets more difficult for newer generations to appreciate just how influential his performance was at the time; however, they can still enjoy it today as part of Jackson’s timeless work on this genre-defining record.
Collaborating with Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones
When it comes to the recording of Michael Jackson’s classic album Thriller, many people are unaware that this would not have been possible without the help of acclaimed music producer Quincy Jones. He worked in tandem with Michael to produce a masterpiece that was unlike anything ever heard before. He recruited some of the most talented session musicians from all around the world to lay down guitar tracks on one of pop culture’s most iconic songs.
One such musician was Steve Lukather who played guitar and keyboard for artists like Eric Clapton and Lionel Richie, among others. When it came time to lay down his part on Thriller, Steve had no idea what he was getting himself into–he simply showed up with his trusty Fender Stratocaster and went for it. Little did he know that this would be one of his most notable accomplishments as an artist; playing a solo on “Beat It” has cemented him as a true innovator in rock n’ roll history.
Apart from Lukather, Michael called upon legendary blues guitarist Eddie Van Halen to add his own flavor to “Beat It” as well. By combining three different guitars and using them interchangeably throughout the song, they managed to capture an unprecedented sound that still resonates in today’s popular music scene. His addition made an enormous impact on Thriller’s overall success, contributing heavily toward its commercial viability and Grammy awards alike.
Behind-the-Scenes Stories from the Studio Recording Sessions
The studio recording sessions of Michael Jackson’s iconic album Thriller provided many entertaining stories that can still be heard today. Eddie Van Halen, the masterful lead guitarist from the rock band Van Halen, made a secret guest appearance during one of these legendary recording sessions. According to reports, even though his name was omitted from the credits for contractual reasons with Warner Brothers Records, Eddie added a jolt of energy to proceedings and helped to create an incomparable sound that is unrivaled in music history.
At first, producer Quincy Jones wasn’t too sure about bringing in another big name artist into the project. However, according to sources close to him at the time, he eventually agreed when it became clear that having Eddie on board could bring something truly special and unforgettable to Michael’s album. His decision paid off – using just his guitar alone, Eddie managed to craft some really innovative sounds that have never been replicated since then. From what we know now through various interviews conducted over time by journalists and fans alike, it seems like everybody involved with this collaboration had a great time sharing their knowledge and creativity together as they created an exceptional piece of art with its own unique story.
For years after Thriller was released people speculated who exactly played lead guitar on some certain tracks – it seemed that no one knew for sure until recently due to Jackson’s reticence concerning this topic. When speaking about it publicly in later interviews however he did recognize how important Van Halen was towards making it such an extraordinary success musically speaking; adding weight to what many already suspected regarding his influence behind-the-scenes all those years ago.
Impact and Legacy of Thriller and its Contributors
In 1982, Michael Jackson released his iconic album Thriller. The album featured an all-star cast of musicians and producers that brought the project to life. Eddie Van Halen contributed a legendary guitar solo to the song ‘Beat It’, which helped shape its sound into what it is today. Not only did this contribution make the song a classic but it also had an immense impact on popular music culture during the 80s and beyond.
The legendary Quincy Jones produced the album and worked with Jackson to craft something truly special – no small feat considering how much of a perfectionist Jackson was known for being. His skills as both a producer and arranger were put to great use, as every track has his signature stamp on it in one way or another. This attention to detail made sure that each element was placed perfectly in order to maximize its effect on listeners.
The groundbreaking success of Thriller has reverberated across generations; many artists cite the release of this album as having inspired them when creating their own music and continue to reference elements from it in their songs today – often without anyone realizing they are doing so. With over 65 million copies sold worldwide, Thriller remains one of the most influential albums ever created, thanks largely in part to its talented contributors like Eddie Van Halen who injected life into Jackson’s vision for greatness.
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