Who plays guitar on the song “Beat It”?

Michael Jackson played guitar on the song “Beat It”. He also co-wrote the song with guitarist Eddie Van Halen, who also provided a solo on the track. Jackson’s use of a simple and repetitive guitar riff helped to make “Beat It” one of his most iconic hits.

The Recording of “Beat It”

The recording of the iconic Michael Jackson song “Beat It” involved a wide range of artists and producers. Eddie Van Halen was chosen to lay down the legendary guitar solo for the track, but he wasn’t the only one playing guitar on it. Steve Lukather of Toto fame also contributed electric guitar parts, while Brian May of Queen provided an acoustic outro.

All these elements were brought together by producer Quincy Jones, who served as a mentor to Jackson during his career. Jones managed to get all the individual pieces recorded and then oversaw their arrangement into a cohesive whole. The addition of several string players helped bring out different dynamics in each section, which gave it more character than it would have had with just guitars alone. The end result is widely considered one of Jackson’s best recordings, demonstrating what could be achieved when combining multiple talented musicians in collaboration with a great producer like Jones.

The Role of the Guitar Solo

The iconic guitar solo from Michael Jackson’s 1982 hit single “Beat It” is an instantly recognizable sound that has been imitated, sampled and covered by many artists since its release. The electrifying riffs were composed and recorded by Eddie Van Halen, leader of the band Van Halen. He used a Charvel guitar modified with Seymour Duncan pickups to record the unforgettable instrumental performance.

It was Eddie’s melodic improvisation that made the song truly unique; he crafted a signature blend of neoclassical rock style combined with his own pop-oriented sensibility which elevated Beat It to another level of musical sophistication. His playing style conveys powerful emotions without any lyrics or accompaniment and leaves lasting impression on listeners around the world. Throughout the solo, he uses trills, slides, hammer-ons and pull-offs to build suspense until finally breaking into a blazing fast lick towards the end of track.

Van Halen’s influence as one of most influential electric guitarists in history can be seen throughout popular culture even today; his unmistakable approach to playing has inspired generations of musicians across all genres.

The Mystery Surrounding the Guitarist

Though Michael Jackson is the lead singer of the iconic song “Beat It,” many people are unaware that he did not actually play guitar on the track. To this day, there remains some speculation as to who provided the iconic riffs and solos during the chorus.

The first contender for this claim is Eddie Van Halen. In interviews with many guitarists who were around at the time, it was said that Van Halen had been present in the studio while recording was taking place. When listening closely to those famous six-string lines, a distinctively unique tone can be heard which further suggests it could have been him playing.

Another potential candidate for guitarist duties on “Beat It” may have been Steve Lukather from Toto. Though his name wasn’t revealed until years later by Quincy Jones himself, his signature bluesy style certainly fits with what we hear on record. Moreover, due to Jackson’s insistence on secrecy surrounding collaborators and session musicians alike, his presence may never be fully proven or debunked altogether.

Revealing the Identity of the Guitarist

The identity of the guitarist playing on Michael Jackson’s hit single “Beat It” has been an enigma since its release in 1982. After decades of speculation, it was eventually revealed that Eddie Van Halen had laid down the iconic solo for the song – an impressive feat given that he recorded it in just one take.

Despite being credited as a session musician, not much is known about his contribution to the track beyond what can be heard. In fact, when Van Halen was asked to record “Beat It”, he thought it would be used only as a demo; instead, his recording made it onto the final version. He later confessed to being overwhelmed by how well-received the track turned out to be – and understandably so. His performance easily stole the spotlight and remains one of the most recognizable guitar solos today.

That said, Eddie Van Halen wasn’t alone in making “Beat It” memorable. While he may have stolen some of the limelight with his electric guitar playing, two other prominent figures also played their part: Jeff Porcaro on drums and Steve Lukather on rhythm guitar. All three musicians worked together flawlessly to create an electrifying soundscape that perfectly complemented Michael Jackson’s vocals – a testament to their undeniable talent and skillful collaboration.

Conclusion

It is safe to conclude that the legendary Eddie Van Halen played the electric guitar solo on Michael Jackson’s iconic song “Beat It”. This was confirmed by both Edward himself and his son Wolfgang in interviews. His signature style of playing, coupled with the fact that he was a member of Van Halen at the time, make it difficult to deny his involvement. There were additional guitar parts contributed by session musicians Steve Lukather and Greg Phillinganes who helped bring this classic track to life. All three guitarists deserve recognition for their contributions to what is one of the most memorable songs in pop music history.