Latest news with #BeatIt
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why Rock Legend Eddie Van Halen Was Paid 'Zero Dollars' for Iconic Solo on Michael Jackson Hit
Why Rock Legend Eddie Van Halen Was Paid 'Zero Dollars' for Iconic Solo on Michael Jackson Hit originally appeared on Parade. 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 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. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why Rock Legend Eddie Van Halen Was Paid 'Zero Dollars' for Iconic Solo on Michael Jackson Hit
Why Rock Legend Eddie Van Halen Was Paid 'Zero Dollars' for Iconic Solo on Michael Jackson Hit originally appeared on Parade. 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 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.
New York Post
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Michael Jackson pal Frank Cascio accused of shaking his estate down for $213m
A New Jersey man who once took Michael Jackson into his family home after the 9/11 terror attacks —and called the pop icon his 'second family'— is now being accused of trying to extort $213 million from Jackson's estate. Frank Cascio, 44, has apparently threatened to go public with claims against the singer which he never voiced while Jackson was alive. In a petition filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, the Michael Jackson Company and estate co-executors John Branca and John McClain allege that Frank Cascio and unidentified associates are attempting what they describe as a 'civil extortion scheme,' leveraging the threat of sensational accusations to extract massive payouts. 9 The Cascio family with Michael Jackson (top left). Family patriach Dominic Cascio is center (with beard) and his eldest sons Frank and Eddie are pictured top right. Advertisement 9 Michael Jackson with Frank Cascio when he was a young child. @VincentFAmen/X For more than three decades, Cascio – whose father had struck up a friendship with Michael while working at a hotel in New York, leading the 'Beat It' superstar to become a regular visitor to his home and to refer to the Cascios as his second family – was among Jackson's most vocal defenders. In dozens of public statements, TV interviews, and in his own 2011 book, 'My Friend Michael', Cascio praised Jackson in unequivocal terms. The star was twice accused of child abuse during his career, in 1993 and 2003, but settled the first case out of court and was acquitted in the second. Advertisement 'I want to be precise and clear, on the record, so that everyone can read and understand: Michael's love for children was innocent, and it was profoundly misunderstood,' Cascio wrote in the book. He added, 'In all the years that I was close to him, I saw nothing that raised any red flags, not as a child and not as an adult.' Cascio also declared that Jackson had been the victim of false allegations: 'He was being attacked by liars… There was nothing ambiguous about the whole thing. These people were after Michael's money. But he was innocent, and we were going to destroy them in court.' 9 Michael Jackson with Frank Cascio (2nd from right) in London. After growing up with Michael around, Cascio eventually went to work for the star as a personal assistant. PA Images via Getty Images 9 Frank Cascio in 2011 on 'Good Morning America.' Previously he has been very vocal in saying Jackson was completley innocent and never inappropriate around young people, as others have claimed. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Advertisement In a 2005 'ABC Primetime Live' interview, he said: 'If Michael ever laid a finger on me, I would not be in this chair right now.' When asked by Wendy Williams in 2011 if anything inappropriate ever occurred, he replied bluntly, 'Nothing at all. And that's what makes me so upset.' The Cascio family appeared on 'Oprah' in 2009 after Jackson's death to talk about their close bond with the star, how they exchanged Christmas presents and how he even recorded songs in their home studio. Cascio and his brothers insisted, 'never,' when asked if there had been any improprieties by host Oprah Winfrey. One of them explained, 'Michael was a target.' According to the petition, that narrative changed in 2019 after the release of HBO's controversial 'Leaving Neverland' documentary, which featured detailed claims of child abuse against Michael by two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck. Advertisement After that aired, Cascio and his representatives approached the estate seeking a deal to sell personal materials and consult on projects. The estate claims that discussions soon turned into threats, with demands for large sums in exchange for not going public with the allegations. 9 Jackson at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards in New York, held less than one week for the 9/11 terror attack. REUTERS 9 Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor at a 30th Anniversary Celebration held for him at Madison Square Garden in New York. CPS/LFI Estate representatives described an unusual meeting at the Sunset Marquis Hotel pool in Los Angeles, where Cascio's camp insisted participants wear only bathing suits 'so that [Jackson's] representatives could not wear a wire to record the conversation.' In January 2020, the estate allegedly agreed to a confidential settlement to protect Jackson's family from further pain. The agreement included payments over five years, strict non-disparagement terms, and a clause requiring all disputes to be handled in private arbitration. However, in July 2024, Cascio's attorney allegedly demanded an additional $213 million, threatening to 'expand the circle of knowledge' to harm the estate's business dealings. According to the lawsuit, in August his lawyer warned that if no payment was made, they would share their claims with the buyer of Jackson's valuable music catalog, the estate claims. 9 Prince Jackson (left), Paris Jackson (center) and Bigi Jackson aka Blanket Jackson (right) at a red carpet opening in 2024. Alan Chapman/9 Michael Jackson with Frank Cascio in an undated picture. YouTube Advertisement 9 Michael Jackson at a press conference announcing his 'This Is It' London residency in 2009. However he died during rehearsals fro the concert series of acute Propofol intoxication. WireImage It is not clear what klind of claims Cascio was threatening to make against Jackson or the estate. When the estate refused, lawyers delivered draft lawsuits containing accusations directly contradicting Cascio's prior statements. The estate quickly initiated arbitration in September 2024, citing breach of contract and civil extortion. Executors say they won't be intimidated into paying. 'Attempts like this to tarnish Michael's memory for financial gain will not succeed,' Branca said. Advertisement Adding another twist, Cascio switched lawyers to Mark Geragos, who had previously defended Jackson on national TV and in his 2013 book 'Mistrial,' declaring Jackson '100 percent innocent.' The estate says Geragos reduced the demand to $44 million but threatened to file a public lawsuit alleging defamation and emotional distress. The petition asks the court to compel arbitration and block any lawsuit, citing the settlement's clause: 'The question of arbitrability is itself a question to be resolved finally by the arbitrator.' Efforts to reach Cascio and his attorney for comment were unsuccessful. Jackson is currently the world's highest grossing dead celebrity, with his estate selling half of the rights to his music catalogue to Sony in 2024 for $600 million.
Chicago Tribune
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Review: The lesson of ‘Weird Al' Yankovic: We'll miss him when he's gone
As joyful and virtuosic and oddly as 'Weird Al' Yankovic's two-hour whirligig was on Sunday night at Ravinia Festival, I couldn't help watch without sadness: Here is the last of the great parody kings, the closing chapter, and the pinnacle, of a delightfully ridiculous tradition. Social media is not lacking in joke songs; the novelty artist today seems closer to routine than, well, novelty. And yet the world is too driven by algorithms, too fragmented in its tastes, to ever be on the same page again and get the same jokes. Will there ever be another 'Weird Al'? Even if we come across someone on TikToK or Instagram who shows a strand of that old 'Weird Al' DNA — the pillow-soft yucks, the devotion to honoring the spirit of the artist being spoofed, the open-hearted stupidity for stupidity's sake, the craftsmanship — can they get across the rigor involved in being this gloriously dumb without losing the laugh? Will they understand the funniest thing about 'Weird Al' has always been the insane amount of talent that goes into perfecting something so fundamentally idiotic? Particularly live, fronted by an eight-piece band that cuts seamlessly from the sleek corporate mellowness of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young to the grind of Nirvana to a spot-on Backstreet Boy glide, changing costumes each song, it's the best joke he's got. It's just hard to see a future for this tradition. Not because of a lack of skill, but how eroded common ground has become. Looking back, it's no surprise 'Weird Al' was necessary in the early 1980s, at a moment when Mad magazine no longer generated the same and Top 40 music was driven by legitimately iconic, ultra-ubiquitous images from overplayed music videos. 'Weird Al' wore the red leather Michael Jackson jacket for 'Eat It,' his 'Beat It' parody, and even if he never played the song, we'd get the joke. For 'Smells Like Nirvana,' he wore the forest green sweater that Kurt Cobain wore in his videos. The encore was a rousing embrace of 'Star Wars,' with Stormtroopers crowding the stage, a ballpark-organ cover of 'The Imperial March,' and 'Weird Al,' eyes tight, dramatically conflating Yoda and The Kinks: 'Weird Al,' at 65, with the same string-fry hair and Hawaiian shirts as the past five decades, hit a high point early with a delirious polka of contemporary hits, from Billie Eillish and Taylor Swift to Cardi B and Olivia Rodrigo, playfully sanitized for kids in the house — But 'Weird Al' is really a creature of the monoculture, the days when your grandparents and your 8-year-old neighbor had the same cultural references, when there were three TV networks, radio played the same Top 40 songs endlessly and everyone turned out for the same movies. Which means a 'Weird Al' concert does double duty as a kind of walk through the past 50 or so years of pop culture, squashing Spider-Man against 'Piano Man,' Flintstones against Red Hot Chili Peppers — think kaleidoscopic jukebox musical, but flexible, broad for long swaths then, turning on a dime, hilariously specific. A song about Disney's Jungle Cruise ride nodded to generations of slumming actors playing river guides, while secretly dreaming they were in 'Speed-the-Plow.' A CSNY parody showed how unnervingly easy it is to swap out the back-to-nature authenticity of '70s singer-songwriters with corporate speak: He even covered Helen Reddy's 'I Am Woman,' just because, as sincerely as possible. It's our cultural currency — as is 'Weird Al' himself, even more than many of the acts he's parodied. While the band changed outfits, we got video montages reminding us just how much 'Weird Al' is part of that currency, namechecked on 'The Simpsons,' '30 Rock,' 'Scooby Doo,' and on and on. You get the sense 'Weird Al' is not bragging with these videos, but honored to find himself, decades later, a human cartoon, swallowed whole by culture, as if tossed into a B-movie sci-fi vat. The show began with a liturgy of business nonsense — — and concluded with the band singing a remarkable extended mashup of nonsense lyrics, from the 'Grim Grinning Ghosts' song at Disneyland's Haunted Mansion to Somehow, it made perfect sense.
Express Tribune
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Jay Cinco's Physical Altercation at Paris Fashion Week Goes Viral During Livestream
Jay Cinco, a rising figure in the rap scene, recently made headlines after a physical altercation during Paris Fashion Week. The incident, which was captured on a live stream, quickly went viral, attracting widespread attention on social media. On June 29, 2025, the livestream showed Cinco, reportedly accompanied by Instagram model Lala Baptiste, engaged in a dispute with another individual. The altercation started when Cinco voiced his displeasure off-camera, telling someone he did not want to have his picture taken. The situation escalated when Cinco appeared to push the other individual, leading to a confrontation. The two exchanged heated words before things turned physical, with punches being thrown. An anonymous person intervened to break up the fight. Before the altercation, Lala Baptiste was heard saying, 'Hey, stop pushing him. What's wrong with you?' As the video circulated, social media users reacted, with some suggesting the cameraman should have intervened, commenting, 'Fire that cameraman. Ain't neva supposed to let yo homie be alone.' Other reactions included remarks questioning the authenticity of the altercation, with one user writing, 'Not staged?' while another joked, 'Jay is solid for standing up for himself but he clearly not built for altercations lmao.' Despite the viral incident, Jay Cinco continues to make waves in the music industry. Since the start of 2025, the California rapper has released several singles, including Beat It, Lay It Down, and Wildin. The music video for Wildin, featuring Baptiste, has already surpassed 100,000 views on YouTube.
