Why Rock Legend Eddie Van Halen Was Paid 'Zero Dollars' for Iconic Solo on Michael Jackson Hit
When Michael Jackson's multi-platinum hit "Beat It" debuted in 1982, it was clear the song was destined to become one of the best-selling singles of all time — thanks, in part, to the tune's instantly iconic hard rock guitar solo. At the time, however, many fans didn't know that legendary Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen was responsible for the riff...and decades later, music lovers are still surprised to learn that he played on the track for free.
In a 2013 interview on CNN alongside rapper LL Cool J, Van Halen — who died in 2020 at the age of 65 — gave a hilariously candid response when Piers Morgan asked why he received "zero dollars" for his work on the "smash hit."
"Well, I didn't ask for anything," Van Halen admitted, adding, "This is about 20 minutes out of my life."
"Quincy had called me up and asked me if I wanted to do it," Van Halen continued, referring to famed producer Quincy Jones.
"Honest to God truth, the band's policy was, you know, we don't do things outside of the band at the time, and everybody was out of town so I had no one to ask. I swear to God, I figured who's going to know if I play on this black kid's record," he added, laughing.
As Van Halen went on to explain, the "funniest thing of all" was that he "actually rearranged the song."
"The second they wanted me to solo over it was just, you know there's no chord changes underneath it so I had to rearrange the song," he recalled. "And Michael came in and I said 'Oh I hope you don't mind I changed your song,' and he listens he goes 'No, I really like that high fast stuff you do.'"
Despite the fact that Van Halen never profited from a song that made Jackson boatloads of cash, the rock legend proved he harbored no hard feelings in the same interview, remembering the pop star as a "sweet guy."Why Rock Legend Eddie Van Halen Was Paid 'Zero Dollars' for Iconic Solo on Michael Jackson Hit first appeared on Parade on Jul 17, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Motor 1
4 minutes ago
- Motor 1
‘I Charge Them More Every Single Time:' Tech Reveals 1 Quality Guaranteed to Make Your Mechanic Hate You
A mechanic who goes by Claw Boss (@reelclawboss) on Instagram shared a customer pet peeve: Asking non-stop questions while he works. And it seems like there are more than a few other folks in the craft who share his mindset. The auto tech's short clip is set to the tune of a song that repeatedly implores a person to 'shut the [expletive] up,' as part of its hook. Pairing this tune with the text overlay in their clip, along with a group of dancing chickens, intones that the service tech isn't a fan of this particular client interaction. 'We all have that one customer. Stands in the shop while you're working on their car and won't stop asking questions,' he captions Commenters Were Divided Folks had differing opinions on the clients they render service to in their respective auto businesses. One person remarked that a patron has the right to ask questions since they're the one paying for their car to be fixed. 'Customer's car, customer's paying,' one said. However, there was another Instagram user who seemed to concur with Claw Boss's commentary on the chatty individuals who roll into his shop. They said, 'Best part of our shop: Only staff allowed in shop.' Another person, who said that they were an auto tech themselves, echoed the aforementioned sentiment. According to them, they've never been employed in an automotive service center that allowed customers to watch the work techs were doing. 'Never in my life have I seen a shop allow customers in the shop,' they penned. 'I be on the other side of the glass like *hey, did you make sure to torq that bolt!? While I smoke my dart and continue to stare. Lol all jokes aside I do enjoy watching and learning.' But this didn't appear to be par the course for all folks getting their cars fixed. One person who got their vehicle's air conditioning system repaired expressed that they were grateful to watch their mechanic fix the issue. Moreover, they said the tech was forthcoming about the work he was completing. 'My mechanic let me watch him do my AC for my truck. I asked a few questions and he didn't mind. He seemed to like that I was trying to learn,' they said. Other Mechanics Sound Off It seems like Claw Boss wasn't the only service tech who took to social media to decry this specific customer behavior. YouTuber Barricade Garage also professed he wasn't too fond of someone looking over his shoulder while he was working on a car. In a caption for his video that touches on this same topic, he writes, 'most mechanics usually want to be left unbothered when working on your vehicle.' Additionally, Redditors in this r/MechanicAdvice post also discussed this same client phenomenon. The thread's original poster wanted to know if it was considered poor manners on his part to watch the tech replace the tires on his vehicle. One person remarked that the practice is 'a touchy subject with a lot of shops,' due to how different customers react to the work being performed on their vehicle. They said that customers might try to nickel-and-dime labor time, not considering that a mechanic who has accrued decades of experiencing fixing problems is able to rectify a problem more quickly than a less experienced tech. Thus, their complaints about inaccurate labor times are invalidated. To drive this point home, they shared an anecdote about a client who went 'ballistic' for being billed for 30 minutes of labor on a muffler replacement. They said the tech swapped out the component in around five minutes and asked why they were charged for 30 minutes of labor instead. Following this, the Reddit user explained to the customer, 'The guy who just put your muffler on has almost 30 years' exhaust experience. And has it down to an art. If I'd known you wanted to wait longer I would have done it myself - I'm a diagnostic tech and really bad at exhaust. It takes me forever,' they wrote. Some Mechanics Don't Mind Watchful Customers Another commenter in the same Reddit thread said it all boils down to the type of person who is watching them perform their work. This user said, 'I don't mind people watching because they are curious.' Although, when they begin to chime in with their own repair strategies, or when they reference other handy people they know, that's when they begin to take issue with sideline commentary. 'Don't call me a liar, and don't bring it to me to fix it if you trust [someone else] so much,' they penned. In this Quora post, some auto techs argued that barring customers from entering the shop area boils down to potential safety concerns. They said that due to heavy machinery, car lifts, and an array of moving parts, clients could be at risk of bodily harm. In order to mitigate these possible incidents from occurring and any legal actions that could be levied against the shop, many service centers will bar folks from watching their cars being worked on. Motor1 has reached out to the Claw Boss via Instagram direct message for further comment. Now Trending 'That's Exactly Why:' Florida Driver Gets Stuck Behind Toyota That Won't Turn on Green Light. She Says It's an Insurance Scam 'Don't Feel Comfortable Allowing You:' Colorado Woman Tells Discount Tire She Can't Afford Tires. Their Reply Is Shocking Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Muni Long Reveals How Her Childhood Self Would React to Touring with Brandy and Monica (Exclusive)
The star will join Kelly Rowland and 'American Idol' winner Jamal Roberts as opening acts for the R&B singers' The Boy Is Mine Tour Muni Long is living the life her childhood self would have only dreamed of. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the singer-songwriter, 36, reacted to securing a spot as an opening act for Brandy and Monica's first-ever concert series, The Boy Is Mine Tour. "If you told me [when I was younger] that I would be opening for Brandy and Monica, I would have been like, 'Shut up. You're a liar,' " Long said at Megan Thee Stallion's inaugural Pete & Thomas Foundation Gala in New York City. "It's funny, because I was just at Essence Fest, and they did the Waiting to Exhale tribute. I had no business listening to that soundtrack, but I know every word from top to bottom," she continued, referring to the album that accompanied the film of the same name, featuring music from Brandy, 46, as well as other artists like Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, TLC and Aretha Franklin, to name a few. Long will be joined on The Boy Is Mine Tour by Kelly Rowland and 2025 American Idol winner Jamal Roberts, who will serve as other openers. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The Boy Is Mine Tour will kick off in Cincinnati on Oct. 16. It will make stops in Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Brooklyn, Detroit, New Orleans and more, before wrapping on Dec. 7 in Houston. Brandy called the tour "a dream come true" while appearing on CBS Mornings in June, stating that there has been interest in the two going on the road together since 1998. Touring back then wasn't likely, however, as she and Monica, 44, were in a feud that persisted for years after they famously had a fight backstage while rehearsing for a performance at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) following the release of their hit duet. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! In a press statement, Brandy reiterated her excitement about reuniting with Monica, calling it "a full-circle moment." She added, "Monica and I coming together again isn't just about the music — it's about honoring where we came from and how far we've both come." Monica, for her part, said, "This tour is a celebration of our history, our impact, and the fans who have grown with us. Brandy and I have been on our own unique journeys, and coming back together in this way is a reminder of the power of respect, strength, and real music." According to Long, whose real name is Priscilla Renea Hamilton, she is "super excited" to join Brandy, Monica, Rowland, 44, and Roberts, 27, on tour, for what feels like something that's been in the cards all along. "See, a lot of people don't know, but I've been writing songs for 15 years, so I know all the girls. We know each other," she told PEOPLE. "I'm just super honored," Long — who credits some of her favorite Brandy songs as being "When You Touch Me" and "Almost Doesn't Count" — added. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Long said she also isn't afraid to fangirl like everyone else who is excited about the highly-anticipated reunion between the two R&B stars, explaining, "I'm gonna be in the audience just like everybody else. I'm gonna get off stage, I'm gonna put my sweats on, and I'm coming back to watch." Tickets to The Boy Is Mine Tour are available to purchase now. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Beyonce, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams Have Destiny's Child Reunion at ‘Cowboy Carter' Concert
Beyoncé just closed out her Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin' Circuit Tour with a bang — and staged a Destiny's Child reunion to celebrate. Beyoncé, 43, performed at Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, July 26, where her former bandmates Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams made a surprise appearance. Beyoncé rose from underneath the stage at one point, flanked by Rowland, 44, and Williams, 46, in now-viral social media footage. The trio coordinated in sparkling gold bodysuits as they performed hits like 'Bootylicious' and 'Lose My Breath.' Beyoncé even entrusted her longtime pals for the evening's 'Mute Challenge,' where the crowd is instructed to be completely silent before the song resumes. 'Just me and my crew,' Beyoncé quipped, switching up the lyrics. 'Big energy!' Beyonce Reunites With Destiny's Child at 50th Birthday Celebration for Kelly Rowland's Husband Long before kicking off her impressive and accolade-filled solo career, Beyoncé was a founding member of Destiny's Child alongside Rowland, LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett. After the latter two left the girl group in 2000, Williams came aboard. Destiny's Child officially disbanded six years later as Beyoncé, Rowland and Williams all went on to pursue solo careers. Beyoncé, Rowland and Williams have since reunited multiple times through the years, including at Beyoncé's 2013 Super Bowl halftime show and set at Coachella in 2018. Beyoncé's dad, Mathew Knowles, later hoped to see the girls perform together once more. 'I certainly hope so. I also understand that Kelly and Beyoncé are mothers and they have a family and that changes the dynamics,' Knowles, 73, exclusively told Us Weekly in May 2020. 'Each one of the ladies are successful in their own right. They all have their individual solo careers. So coordinating family, careers, that's a lot of juggling. I'm sure in due time the ladies will decide if that's what they want to do and if they do or do not as supportive as I could be as their manager.' Kelly Rowland Praises 11-Year-Old Blue Ivy's Work Ethic on Beyonce's 'Renaissance Tour': 'I'm Very Proud' He added, '[Their Coachella performance] shows how much they practiced, that 10 years later they cannot miss a beat. It's just remarkable. It shows that their dedication was really there. I know these ladies, they have strong work ethics. I'm extremely proud of all three of them.' Rowland is a mom of two, sharing sons Titan, 10, and Noah, 4, with her husband, Tim Weatherspoon. Beyoncé, meanwhile, shares daughter Blue Ivy, 13, and twins Sir and Rumi, both 7, with husband Jay-Z. Beyoncé's daughters, Blue and Rumi, have also both been frequent presences during performances of 'Protector' on the Cowboy Carter Tour. Solve the daily Crossword
