How a pair of weight-lifting gloves helped Louis Johnson play slap bass By Nick Wells published 13 June 23 Louis Johnson: “I wear gloves to slow me down. When I take them off, it makes me play too fast”
Session guitar legend Michael Landau reveals what it takes to play with the biggest artists of all time and explains why “Strats are the ultimate couch guitar” By Amit Sharma published 24 May 23 As Fender releases two signature Stratocasters for the session guitar hero, he reflects on recording with the likes of Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Joni Mitchell – and what it’s like to play on a Pink Floyd track in front of David Gilmour
Steve Lukather: "The bassline was easy. It wasn't like I had to be Jaco Pastorius" By Nick Wells published 19 April 23 How the legendary guitarist ended up playing bass on Michael Jackson’s Beat It
Watch session legend Paul Jackson Jr. discuss recording Beat It and Get Lucky – and reveal the amp that was “the Dumble before there was a Dumble” By Matt Parker published 10 March 23 The session guitar icon breaks down his parts on hits with Michael Jackson, Kenny Loggins, Daft Punk and The Weeknd
Hear Eddie Van Halen and Steve Lukather’s isolated guitar parts from Michael Jackon’s Beat It By Matt Owen published 26 January 23 From Lukather’s iconic riff to Van Halen’s ground-breaking solo, listen to all the guitar parts behind Jackson’s 1982 smash hit in extreme clarity
Michael Jackson's Beat It: two of rock's best guitarists recall how they helped create the groundbreaking hit, and the 30-second solo that changed the world By Jackson Maxwell published 4 January 23 Coming off the disco-flavored Off the Wall, Jackson wanted Thriller to appeal to as broad an audience as possible, including fans of heavier music. Enter Steve Lukather and Eddie Van Halen...
Jennifer Batten says being a woman prevented her landing an audition with Ozzy Osbourne in the ‘80s By Sam Roche published 11 November 22 “I know my audio got to the right people, and I didn’t even get a chance,” the Michael Jackson guitarist reflects in a new interview
Jennifer Batten on the sexism she faced as Michael Jackson's guitarist, and how Jeff Beck shaped her view of innovative guitar playing By Alison Richter published 7 June 22 The King of Pop's 10-year six-string sidekick talks playing guitar in a “man's world”, what keeps her loyal to Washburn, and the players impressing her today
Pete Townshend reveals how he first connected Eddie Van Halen and Michael Jackson in tribute to late guitar legend By Michael Astley-Brown published 7 October 20 The Who guitarist says he was asked to play on Thriller, but suggested EVH instead
Staged Fight: That Time Slash's Eternal Guitar Solo "Upset" Michael Jackson By Damian Fanelli published 23 July 19 Remember the time Slash overstayed his welcome during a live appearance with Michael Jackson? We didn't either.
Motown Guitarist Wah Wah Watson Dead at 67 By Richard Bienstock published 26 October 18 Born Melvin Ragin, the iconic guitarist lent his signature licks to the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, others.
Hear Yngwie Malmsteen's Heavy Metal Cover of Michael Jackson's "Beat It" By Damian Fanelli published 29 August 17 Check out Yngwie Malmsteen's cover of Michael Jackson's "Beat It" below. The track is from Malmsteen's late-2009 album, High Impact.
Watch Eddie Van Halen's "Beat It" Guitar Solo Performed on Bottles By Damian Fanelli published 29 March 17
"Billy Jean" Gets the Percussive Fingerstyle Treatment By Damian Fanelli published 4 December 16 A few years ago, Guitar World published a popular lesson dedicated to percussive acoustic guitar playing.
Eddie Van Halen and Michael Jackson Perform "Beat It" Live in 1984 —Video By Damian Fanelli published 15 July 15
Michael Jackson Played in the Styles of 20 Famous Guitarists — Video By Christopher Scapelliti published 14 July 15
Watch Miguel Rivera’s Fingerstyle Cover of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” — Video Finds By Acoustic Nation published 22 June 15 Here’s a masterful take on Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” from acoustic guitarist Miguel Rivera that was uploaded today, June 22.
Young South Korean Guitarist Sungha Jung Masterfully Covers "Billy Jean" — Video By Acoustic Nation published 19 December 14
Video: Carvin Creates One-of-a-Kind, Michael Jackson-Inspired Guitar for Jason Becker By Damian Fanelli published 16 January 14 Here's a look at Jason Becker's Michael Jackson-inspired one-of-a-kind Carvin guitar.