Four decades ago, Eddie Van Halen delivered one of his most memorable guitar solos under surprising circumstances. Typically in pop music, we see renowned vocalists joining forces for a striking collaboration. Yet, sometimes the most remarkable partnerships blossom from the union of a vocalist and an instrumentalist.
Throughout his illustrious career, Eddie Van Halen showcased his guitar prowess beyond the confines of his own band, teaming up with iconic artists such as Brian May, LL Cool J, and Nicolette Larson. His unparalleled skills on the guitar made it unsurprising that fellow musicians were eager to collaborate with him. In fact, the greater surprise is perhaps that not more partnerships were formed. Nonetheless, Eddie’s numerous fruitful collaborations warrant ongoing recognition, particularly for his significant contribution to a classic Michael Jackson track.
The Guitar Solo in “Beat It”: Eddie Van Halen Steps In After Pete Townshend’s Decline
The Who: A Precursor to Van Halen
Pete Townshend, the famed guitarist of the legendary band The Who, co-created timeless rock anthems with vocalist Roger Daltrey, including “Baba O’Riley”and “Pinball Wizard.”Rising to prominence from the 1960s through the 1980s, Townshend established himself as a respected figure in the music industry, making him a sought-after collaborator for artists like Michael Jackson.
In 1982, while producer Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson were assembling the groundbreaking album Thriller, they aimed to include Townshend in the track “Beat It.”Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts led to Townshend declining the opportunity. However, he did not leave Jackson empty-handed; as he revealed to Rolling Stone, he recommended Eddie Van Halen as an alternative collaborator, leading to a significant connection. “I said I couldn’t do it but recommended Eddie, who called, and we chatted,” Townshend recounted.
During this period, Eddie Van Halen was already experiencing a remarkable career trajectory. His band, Van Halen, had launched with a groundbreaking debut album in 1978, and Eddie himself was gaining acclaim as one of the top guitarists in the industry. Thus, he was an excellent fit to fill in for Townshend.
Van Halen’s Transformative Contribution to “Beat It”
Eddie’s Desire to Contribute
Prior to confirming his participation in “Beat It,”Eddie Van Halen first engaged with producer Quincy Jones. Initially skeptical about whether Jones’s call was genuine, the two arranged a meeting where Jones posed the question of Eddie’s involvement. Unsure of his potential contribution at first due to the song’s pop nature, Eddie quickly recognized some areas he could enhance after listening to the track.
Reflecting on the experience during a 2012 interview with CNN, Van Halen stated, “I turned to the engineer and said, ‘Okay, from the breakdown, chop in this part, go to this piece, pre-chorus, to the chorus, out.'”In just ten minutes, he mapped out the alterations, leading to the inclusion of two solos that Eddie passionately hoped Michael would approve of. To his delight, Jackson praised him for his dedication to the song, stating, “Wow, thank you so much for having the passion to not just come in and blaze a solo, but to actually care about the song and make it better.”
Interestingly, despite his massive input, Eddie worked on the track without any compensation; he completed the project purely for the love of music. When asked about the rumor that he was paid with a case of beer, Eddie wittily replied, “Yeah, something like that. Actually, I brought my own, if I remember right.”This generous act underscores Eddie’s character; his satisfaction derived from Michael Jackson’s approval—an essential affirmation for any artist.
“Beat It”: A Legacy for Both Michael Jackson and Eddie Van Halen
Shared Recognition is Due
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRdxUFDoQe0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRdxUFDoQe0
The impact of Michael Jackson’s *Thriller* is staggering, achieving an unparalleled 34x platinum certification in the United States and selling an astounding 70 million copies globally, cementing its title as the best-selling album of all time. Given this immense success, it would be logical for Eddie’s contributions to be recognized; however, he noted in a 2012 interview with CNN, “I don’t even think I’m credited on the record. It just says, ‘Guitar solo: Question Mark’ or ‘Guitar solo: Frankenstein.'”
One of the few acknowledgments Eddie cherished was a thank-you letter from Quincy Jones, a keepsake he valued throughout his life. He also had the chance to perform alongside Michael during his 1984 Victory Tour. Yet, it feels as though the partnership deserved more than just a letter and a singular performance.
It’s lamentable that Eddie Van Halen didn’t receive the recognition he deserved for this collaboration. This iconic union of two legends—often referred to as the “King of Pop”and one of the foremost guitarists in history—should be celebrated. After the passing of both individuals, the story of their collaboration is one that deserves retelling. For those familiar, it is impossible to hear “Beat It”without recalling Eddie Van Halen’s extraordinary talent.