Michael Jackson‘s ‘Beat It’ was initially much more metal-oriented before Quincy Jones suggested it be changed, his ‘Thriller’-era guitarist has said.
READ MORE: Quincy Jones obituary: mega-producer who broke boundaries
Jackson’s session musician Steve Lukather spoke to The Guardian in a feature about Jones’ influence to commemorate his passing aged 91 earlier this month.
Knowing Eddie Van Halen was already going to be on the track, Lukather took inspiration from his contributions. However, Jones later reminded him they were trying to create something for pop radio.
“I played a bunch of really wild guitar parts, because I knew Eddie’s solo was on it,” said Lukather. “I was doing real hard rock, a quadruple-track riff.”
“Quincy wasn’t even there, he was at Westlake doing overdubs on ‘Billie Jean’ while we were fixing ‘Beat It’. So we’d be on the phone and he goes: ‘It’s too metal, you gotta calm down. I gotta get it on pop radio! Use the small amp, not so much distortion.’”
Later on, Lukather paid tribute to Jones: “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.”
‘Beat It’ went on to be a huge hit upon release in 1983 and topped the charts in five countries. It has been certified eight times Platinum in the United States, as well as two times Platinum in the UK and Denmark.
Jones also produced Jackson’s landmark albums ‘Off The Wall’ and ‘Bad’. He also oversaw the all-star recording of 1985 charity record ‘We Are The World’, which was helmed by himself, Jackson, Lionel Richie and producer Michael Omartian and raised funds for famine relief in Ethiopia in 1985.
He was laid to rest at a private family funeral in Los Angeles exactly a week after his death. A larger, more public memorial is also being planned.
His family told the Associated Press that the “intimate ceremony included Mr. Jones’ seven children, his brother, two sisters, and immediate family members.”
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