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

Steve Lukather of the rock band Toto is credited as playing the iconic guitar solo on Michael Jackson’s hit song, “Beat It”. The track was recorded at Westlake Recording Studios in Los Angeles and produced by Quincy Jones. Lukather played his Fender Stratocaster guitar, which he later sold to guitarist Slash from Guns N’ Roses.

Eddie Van Halen: A Guitar Legend

Eddie Van Halen is often considered to be one of the greatest guitarists in history and it’s no wonder he was chosen to play on Michael Jackson’s classic hit, “Beat It”. Eddie Van Halen has an impressive resume that includes a plethora of classic rock hits such as Jump, Panama, Runnin’ With The Devil and the iconic solo from Beat It.

Van Halen originally had no intention of playing on “Beat It”; instead he wanted Michael Jackson to play alongside him. But after playing the solo during rehearsal with Jackson present, Eddie found himself captivated by Jackson’s presence and agreed to record his part for the track. In doing so, he left behind an important legacy for future generations of guitar players to enjoy.

The legendary guitarist also taught himself how to play by ear without reading music or taking lessons. He honed his technique through countless hours spent alone in his bedroom practicing scales and chords until they became second nature. This dedication enabled him to create some truly memorable performances including that classic solo heard in “Beat It”. To this day, Eddie Van Halen continues to inspire aspiring musicians around the world with his masterful artistry on electric guitar.

The Making of “Beat It”

The making of Michael Jackson’s classic hit “Beat It” was a collaborative effort that involved many people. Legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen is credited for playing the iconic guitar solo on the song, but the production process was much more intricate than just him playing his parts.

During recording sessions, producer Quincy Jones and engineer Bruce Swedien worked with Michael Jackson to create the perfect soundscape. After several takes they decided to bring in session guitarist Steve Lukather to lay down some additional tracks as well as contributing some ideas of his own. When it came time to record the guitar solo, Eddie Van Halen proved why he’s one of rock music’s greatest talents ever by laying down an electrifying performance that would become a timeless part of pop culture history. He played both rhythm and lead guitar in what ended up being a highly memorable two minutes and 37 seconds track that truly helped make Beat It an instant classic.

In post-production mixing stage, once again Quincy Jones tapped into his renowned studio prowess by adding several layers of textures such as strings, keyboard effects and other percussive elements which all blended together perfectly into the final masterpiece we now know as “Beat It”. This complex combination of talent made this signature tune stand out from all other songs at that time and remain a crowd favorite even decades later.

The Search for the Right Guitarist

Finding the right guitarist for Michael Jackson’s hit song “Beat It” was no easy task. After going through an extensive search process, Quincy Jones and Michael were finally able to find Eddie Van Halen – an American musician, songwriter and producer best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock band Van Halen.

It is said that before finding Eddie Van Halen, Quincy had initially approached a handful of other top guitarists in Los Angeles including Steve Lukather (Toto) and Jimmy Johnson (Journey). However, none of them met their criteria for the perfect sound they were looking for. After months of searching, Quincy stumbled across a demo tape by Eddie in which he had used a very unique technique called ‘tapping’ on his guitar strings. This innovative style of playing eventually won him over and he was hired to play on one of the most iconic songs in music history.

Eddie recorded his solo for “Beat It” at Sunset Sound studio over two days with sound engineer Bruce Swedien who famously said: “The tone that came out of Eddie’s amplifier when he played this solo… it just took my breath away. The rest is history”. Thanks to Eddie’s incredible talent and creativity, what could have been just another pop hit turned into something truly unforgettable.

Eddie Van Halen’s Collaboration with Michael Jackson

Eddie Van Halen was an integral part of Michael Jackson’s song “Beat It,” which became a worldwide hit. After hearing the song, Eddie agreed to collaborate with Jackson and play lead guitar on the track. His signature sound can be heard throughout the entire song and he solos for about 15 seconds near the end, delivering an unforgettable performance that still stands as one of his most iconic moments in music history.

Before joining forces with Michael Jackson, Eddie had already established himself as one of the world’s greatest rock guitarists. As a member of Van Halen –one of the top hard-rock bands of all time– he had achieved success both commercially and critically. By teaming up with Michael Jackson, Eddie was able to cross genres and show off his virtuosity to a whole new audience.

The collaboration between these two incredibly talented musicians demonstrated just how versatile both artists were. While Eddie usually stuck to playing loud electric guitars in Van Halen songs, on Beat It he pulled out an acoustic guitar and blended it perfectly with Michael’s powerful vocal delivery. The combination created a timeless classic that continues to influence future generations of musicians today.

Van Halen’s Signature Sound in “Beat It”

Van Halen’s distinct sound on “Beat It” was a key factor in making the song an iconic rock and roll hit. With Eddie Van Halen on lead guitar, the track had the unmistakable Van Halen style that fans have come to expect. Van Halen used tapping techniques during his solo in “Beat It” which helped give it its unique sound. This technique is when Eddie plays two notes at once by using both hands on the fretboard of the guitar; one hand presses down while another hand hammers-on or pulls-off a note above or below it. He has become well known for this way of playing, as heard here in “Beat It”.

The combination of Michael Jackson’s vocals and Eddie Van Halen’s distinct guitar riffs was magical. The pair created something truly special with their collaboration: a great rock and roll song that is still popular today. The melody line throughout most of the song was also composed by Van Halen, adding to its appeal even more. His solos were simple but highly memorable – often being replayed by aspiring musicians all over the world attempting to recreate his signature sound from “Beat It”.

This beloved classic wouldn’t be complete without Eddie’s contribution. His unique style blended perfectly with Jackson’s performance and together they crafted an instantly recognizable musical masterpiece which will surely stand the test of time forever.

The Importance of Eddie Van Halen’s Contribution to Music

Eddie Van Halen is widely recognized as one of the most influential guitarists of all time, and his contribution to music has left an everlasting mark. His ability to take a simple riff and turn it into an iconic sound was undeniable in Michael Jackson’s hit song “Beat It.” Eddie provided the distinctive guitar solo that can be heard throughout the chorus, which instantly created a feeling of power and energy when listened to. This helped make “Beat It” one of the best-selling singles worldwide, with millions of people appreciating his outstanding talent.

His influence on popular culture extended beyond just music; Eddie’s unique techniques were adopted by many different musicians from different genres, helping break barriers between what was considered “mainstream” or “underground” at the time. His innovative approach made way for new sounds and ideas to be expressed in rock n roll, creating more opportunities for musicians around the world who may have previously been afraid to explore their creativity further due to rigid genre boundaries.

Eddie Van Halen will always remain one of the most influential artists in history; not only did he bring us incredible tracks like “Beat It” but he opened up a realm of possibilities within rock n roll that continue inspiring musicians today. We owe him a great debt for sharing with us his extraordinary gift – his passion for guitar playing truly changed how we experience music forever.

Legacy of “Beat It” and Eddie Van Halen’s Influence on Pop Culture

Since its release in 1982, “Beat It” by Michael Jackson has become a classic and one of the most memorable songs in pop culture. The success of the song can largely be attributed to the iconic guitar solo from Eddie Van Halen. While his playing provided an edge that perfectly fit with the beat, it also gave Van Halen’s career a boost and changed how rock guitarists were viewed in mainstream music.

Van Halen had already established himself as one of the premier electric guitar players on the planet but it wasn’t until he appeared on “Beat It” that he became known to millions around the world. His blistering technique brought him into many households who may have never heard his previous work before. This helped define a new kind of musical landscape, blurring lines between rock and pop even further than ever before.

The influence of Eddie Van Halen on “Beat It” is still felt today; it remains an anthem at concerts, prompting audiences to sing along to every note of his solo section. Many aspiring musicians are encouraged to learn this piece because they recognize its importance and contribution to popular music history. Without doubt, Eddie Van Halen’s part in crafting this hit single will always be remembered among both fans and fellow artists alike as a legendary performance that pushed boundaries across genres.