Who played the guitar solo in “Beat It”?
The electrifying guitar solo in “Beat It” was played by none other than Eddie Van Halen, the legendary guitarist from the rock band Van Halen. Eddie’s involvement in the track was a significant factor in blending the rock and pop genres, making “Beat It” a crossover hit. His iconic solo added a raw energy to the song, making it memorable and instantly recognizable.
Interestingly, Eddie Van Halen contributed his guitar solo free of charge, seeing it as a favor to Quincy Jones, the song’s co-producer. This collaboration between Jackson and Van Halen symbolized a merging of musical worlds, further proving that music knows no boundaries.
