Who played guitar on the song “Beat It”?

Michael Jackson played the lead guitar on his 1982 hit single, “Beat It.” Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen was asked to play a solo for the song, but Michael Jackson ended up playing it himself. The famous solo is widely recognized as one of Jackson’s most iconic works and has been covered by numerous other artists in subsequent decades.

Background of the Song “Beat It”

The song “Beat It” was written by Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones. It was released in 1982 as the third single from Jackson’s sixth studio album, Thriller. The track featured a unique combination of rock guitar played by Eddie Van Halen, funk bassline created by Louis Johnson and soft synthesizer melodies.

The recording sessions for Beat It took place at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles. During the session, Van Halen was asked to come down to contribute his signature style of rock guitar solo on the song. He initially refused as he had no idea who Michael Jackson was, but later agreed after being told that it could become a big hit. His contribution to the track earned him $5000 which he accepted despite not needing it because of his success at the time with his band Van Halen.

In addition to providing guitars for the track, Van Halen also composed part of its arrangement. He used a wah-wah pedal and overdubbed two different solos onto the mix – one during the verse sections and another one during the chorus sections – giving it its distinct sound.

The Guitar Solo in “Beat It”: An Iconic Moment

The song “Beat It” by Michael Jackson is an all-time classic, and the iconic guitar solo in the middle of it is often credited as one of its most memorable moments. Few know that this solo was performed by Eddie Van Halen. This virtuoso musician – who has been cited as one of the greatest guitarists of all time – reworked a keyboard part from Michael Jackson’s demo version into a legendary guitar lick which remains iconic to this day.

It wasn’t only Eddie Van Halen’s impressive playing skills that made the solo so unforgettable; he also employed some signature techniques on his own modified Fender Stratocaster which further added to its unique character. His use of two-handed tapping and his use of intense vibrato gave it an incredible sound and texture, allowing him to stand out among other rock gods such as Jimmy Page or Jimi Hendrix.

The recording session for “Beat It” took place in 1982 at Westlake Studios in Los Angeles, with Quincy Jones producing the track alongside guitarist Steve Lukather and bassist Louis Johnson who recorded their parts first while Eddie played his last after listening several times to the song structure beforehand. The end result proved incredibly successful not just critically but commercially too; reaching number 1 on both US & UK singles charts and winning two Grammys for Record Of The Year & Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal In 1983 respectively.

Eddie Van Halen’s Contribution to “Beat It”

Few people know that Eddie Van Halen, of the band Van Halen, played guitar on one of Michael Jackson’s biggest hits. Though it was Jackson’s vocals and writing that made the song “Beat It” so iconic, Eddie Van Halen’s influence gave it an entirely new dynamic. The addition of a hard rock guitar to what was essentially a pop song had never been done before and helped propel “Beat It” to No. 1 for three weeks on Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1983.

Eddie’s contributions can be heard throughout the track but his solo is especially memorable – full of squealing notes and intricate riffs from Van Halen himself. During an interview with radio host Howard Stern in 2015, he recalled how he’d shown up at the studio not knowing what to expect, improvising over takes until eventually creating something special that everyone involved could be proud of – including Michael Jackson himself.

Though it may have only taken him one day to complete his part on the song, Van Halen’s playing has stood the test of time as one of the most recognizable parts of “Beat It”. His skillful fretwork added another layer to Michael Jackson’s already chart-topping single – blending genres and ultimately leading “Beat It” into musical immortality.

Controversy Surrounding Van Halen’s Role on “Beat It”

When it comes to the song “Beat It”, one of the most well-known collaborations in music history, there has been much debate surrounding which musician actually played guitar on the track. Initially, Eddie Van Halen was thought to have performed on the recording; however, this claim has since been disputed. In fact, some suggest that Michael Jackson’s guitarist at the time – Steve Stevens – provided guitar duties for “Beat It”.

The main source of contention lies with a quote given by producer Quincy Jones who said that Eddie Van Halen “absolutely shredded” on the song and another comment from Michael himself who recalled being “startled” by how good a job he did when hearing it back in studio. However, following an intensive investigation into archival audio data, it appears as though much of Eddie’s guitar work may have been added after Steve had already completed his part.

This speculation is further compounded by interviews done with both Van Halen and Steven where neither of them seemed quite sure about whether or not they had worked together on “Beat It”. While some sources say that only Eddie could have produced such masterful lead lines during this era, others assert that Stevens should also receive credit for his contribution to the iconic record.

Regardless of who ended up playing what parts, one thing is certain: no matter who contributed their talents to making “Beat It” so special, its legacy will live forever.

Quincy Jones’ Insights into the Recording Process

The recording of Michael Jackson’s iconic song “Beat It” was a collaborative effort between the artist and renowned producer Quincy Jones. With his expansive knowledge in music production, Quincy Jones provided invaluable insights that would eventually result in a timeless classic. He envisioned that incorporating an electric guitar to the track would provide it with an extra edge needed for commercial success.

To execute this plan, Quincy assembled two legendary guitarists: Eddie Van Halen and Steve Lukather. The choice proved to be brilliant; both guitars were adept at delivering a distinct tone and style on the solo, further heightening the song’s impact. To ensure a seamless sound, they were instructed to play together in one take, rather than separately tracking their individual takes afterwards – although some post-editing was done later on by Quincy himself.

Quincy even chose the key of G major as he felt it best suited the mood of the song while allowing room for maximum expression from each player – something that is now widely recognized as quintessential 80s rock style guitar playing. His direction helped create a signature sonic backdrop for Michael Jackson’s vocals which elevated “Beat It” into becoming one of his greatest hits ever.

Other Musicians Who Contributed to “Beat It”

Michael Jackson’s 1982 hit single, “Beat It” is widely regarded as one of the most iconic songs in pop music. Beyond its masterful production, the song was a collaborative effort between several renowned musicians. Despite Eddie Van Halen famously shredding on his guitar solo and co-writing the track with Michael, there were other instrumentalists who also made crucial contributions to this classic record.

One of these key players is Steve Lukather from Toto fame who added some tasty guitar licks to elevate the chorus sections and bridge. He wasn’t alone either; Van Halen was joined by Waddy Wachtel and Bill Blasko – both prominent session players in Los Angeles at the time – to provide additional backing vocals as well as rhythm guitars during verses. This dynamic trio of axe slingers combined their talents to create an impressive wall of sound that still stands strong more than three decades later.

Greg Phillinganes brought a unique feel to proceedings with his inventive synthesizer parts which included samples taken from various types of orchestral instruments such as flutes and trumpets. Phillinganes’ expertise in programming helped create that unmistakable funk element throughout the song, adding an extra layer for listeners to enjoy. It can be said without hesitation that each musician involved had their own special stamp on “Beat It”, making this timeless masterpiece even greater than it already was.

Legacy of “Beat It” and Its Guitar Work

The legacy of “Beat It” and its guitar work are truly undeniable. Released in 1982, Michael Jackson’s hit song was accompanied by a popular music video that featured some of the most iconic dance moves ever created. But aside from the captivating visuals, what made this single stand out from other pop songs released during the time was Eddie Van Halen’s gripping solo guitar accompaniment throughout much of the track.

Van Halen’s contributions to “Beat It” turned it into an instant classic with impressive riffs and licks that remain memorable even today – a testament to his skills as a musician. His solos appear toward the end of each chorus, segueing between verses with melodic ease. The complexity of the instrumentation is further highlighted by background vocals provided by Jackson himself who could be heard singing “Just beat it, just beat it, just beat it no one wants to be defeated.” While various guitars intertwined seamlessly in every verse providing an atmosphere unlike any other at the time.

On top of having Van Halen on board for this project, Jackson also enlisted Steve Lukather and David Williams as additional guitarists who added their own unique touches to certain parts of the song such as a rhythm guitar solo during the bridge section which serves as another example of how intricate yet cohesive this piece truly was.