Michael Jackson's iconic song "Beat It" could have sounded vastly different if not for the guiding hand of legendary producer Quincy Jones, according to guitarist Steve Lukather, who performed session work on the track. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Lukather shared how he initially infused the song with a heavy metal edge inspired by Eddie Van Halen's famous solo. The result, however, veered too far from the pop appeal Jones wanted.
Reflecting on the process, Lukather recalled, "I played a bunch of really wild guitar parts, because I knew Eddie's solo was on it… I was doing real hard rock, a quadruple-track riff." With a vision of creating a mainstream radio hit, Jones intervened—albeit remotely, as he was across town working on "Billie Jean." Over the phone, Jones gave Lukather specific guidance, saying, "It's too metal, you gotta calm down. I gotta get it on pop radio! Use the small amp, not so much distortion."
Released as a single in 1983, "Beat It" went on to dominate the charts, reaching the number-one spot in five countries. The track has since achieved multi-Platinum status, certified eight times Platinum in the U.S. alone and twice in both the U.K. and Denmark.
Jones, who passed away on November 3 at 91, left an indelible mark on the music industry, with production credits on Michael Jackson's Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad, as well as records by icons like Aretha Franklin and Little Richard. In the interview, Lukather offered a heartfelt tribute, saying, "Quincy is the only guy that can do a solo album without playing or writing anything. Somehow, no matter what he did, there was a Quincy Jones sound, even if he didn't play, sing, write, or whatever. He was a director."
