REVEALED: Michael Jackson’s Twisted TRAUMA That Inspired ‘Billie Jean’ | the detail!

Quincy Jones needed Steve Lukather to cool it on iconic Michael Jackson ‘Beat It’ riffs

‘I gotta get it on Pop radio!’

Quincy Jones

Following his death earlier this month, many are honoring legendary producer Quincy Jones by sharing their own experiences and memories with the music icon.

Included in them is Michael Jackson’s Thriller session musician, Toto‘s Steve Lukather, who spoke with The Guardian earlier this month reminiscing on Eddie Van Halen playing the guitar solo for “Beat It,” which encouraged him to lean into the metal inspiration for the rhythm parts. “I played a bunch of really wild guitar parts, because I knew Eddie’s solo was on it,” he shared. “I was doing real hard Rock, a quadruple-track riff.”

Lukather let the Rock Gods lead, until Jones stepped in to re-direct the sound. “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,’” He continued, “I gotta get it on pop radio! Use the small amp, not so much distortion.’”

The feedback paid off as the song went on to be a huge hit in the early ‘80s and  topped the charts in five countries. Since it its release, it’s also been certified eight times Platinum in the United States, as well as two times Platinum in the UK and Denmark.

Jones “passed peacefully” on November 3, 2024, at the age of 91 surrounded by friends and family. His unmistakable mark was been left across the musical landscape after working with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Jacob Collier, and many more — while also producing some of the most beloved film scores and soundtracks. Jones was an entertainment industry icon and earned a whopping 80 GRAMMY Award nominations over his storied career.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” Jones’ family shared in a statement after his passing. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”