The Story EVH Didn't Want Anyone to Know: His Solo on Michael Jackson's Beat It

FILE – David Lee Roth, left, and Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen perform in Wantagh, N.Y. on Aug. 13, 2015. Van Halen, who had battled cancer, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020. He was 65. (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP, File)

It was supposed to be a secret. A favor for legendary producer Quincy Jones. Just a quick guitar solo on a track for “a kid” named Michael.

The members of Van Halen had an agreement: no side gigs, no solo acts. But Eddie did it anyway! He didn’t want credit for it, and he didn’t want to be paid for it. It was just a quick half hour of recording time…no big deal.

Well, guess what! Michael Jackson WAS a big deal. And Beat It ended up winning the Grammy for Record of the Year in 1984.

Cat’s out of the bag at that point!

And apparently, that’s not all!

Eddie Van Halen not only played that famous solo on “Beat It,” he also rearranged the song behind Michael Jackson’s back. pic.twitter.com/ljIuH7GmiV

— Steven Hyden (@Steven_Hyden) October 6, 2020

Here’s one of the many contributions Eddie Van Halen has made to the history of Rock and Roll!

RIP Eddie Van Halen. Whose 8,000 musical accomplishments include the sizzling guitar solo on “Beat It.” #vanhalen pic.twitter.com/F6ZHNpNV5Z

— Jeff Pearlman (@jeffpearlman) October 6, 2020