The Guitar Solo of MJ’s Beat It

 

THE GREAT Eddie Van Halen, Lead guitarist of Van Halen, one if the finest in the world, was asked by Quincy Jones, a record producer, to play a guitar solo for Michael Jackson’s song “Beat it”. 

Initially Eddie thought it was a prank call. Once he realised that it was genuine, Eddie Van Halen agreed to do it for free. 

He used his Frankenstrat guitar, a borrowed amplifier from English Guitarist Allan Holdsworth, and an Echoplex pre-amp for this. 

Eddie Van Halen recorded two versions of the solo. Quincy Jones expressed that the first one was too complicated. So Eddie reduced the Distorted guitars and made a second version. Eddie Van Halen also rearranged part of the song, adjusting the chords to fit his solo in the key of E and requested to re arrange the whole song’s chords in the same Key. 

Steve Lukather and Jeff Porcaro had to re-record their parts to fit the new arrangement around the lead vocals and guitar solo.

A knocking sound before the solo was attributed to Jackson striking a drum case, for which he’s credited. 

Van Halen described the experience as one of the highlights of his career and one of his fondest memories. 

There are MANY EXCEPTIONAL guitarists around the globe. But there is only ONE EDDIE VAN HALEN. 

We celebrate your music and your legacy Eddie and MJ!

We miss you ❤️

Disclaimer:

I DO NOT OWN THE IMAGE OR THE SONG OR THE SOLO. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THE ORIGINAL ARTISTS, CREATORS AND THE RECORD LABEL.