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Song, or Instrumental of the Day.

Discussion in 'The Watercooler' started by S.T.D, Jan 27, 2022.

  1. SteelinOhio

    SteelinOhio

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    I love Eddie Van Halen's story about this song:


    Eddie Van Halen's iconic guitar riff is now known as the centerpiece of "Beat It," but when Quincy Jones approached Van Halen to record on the track, he thought it was a joke. According to Stereogum, Eddie Van Halen reportedly hung up on and cursed at Quincy Jones four times before realizing it wasn't a prank call. While Eddie Van Halen usually avoided taking any side gigs while working with his band Van Halen, he agreed to the collaboration, but he had two rules: Van Halen wouldn't be credited, and Jackson wouldn't tell the rest of his bandmates.

    As Thriller and its hit "Beat It" climbed the charts, Eddie Van Halen was shocked to see it outpace his band's own album, 1984. Van Halen later told CNN in 2012, "I said to myself, 'Who is going to know that I played on this kid's record, right? Nobody's going to find out.' Wrong! Big-time wrong. It ended up being Record of the Year."

    Then, Eddie Van Halen found himself perusing a Tower Records in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles when "Beat It" came on over the stereo. Some nearby customers mused that the song's guitar solo sounded almost exactly like the playing of Van Halen himself. He tapped the record store kids on the shoulder and fessed up that it was him.

    While Eddie Van Halen's 20-second guitar solo on "Beat It" seems to transcend all space and time, in fact, it only took the legend half an hour to record. Of course, not without rearranging the entire song first. Reportedly, Quincy Jones had told Van Halen to do, "Whatever you want to do," per CNN. Eddie Van Halen had the boldness to actually take him up on it.

    After a first listen to the rough track, Van Halen chopped different sections of the chorus and reworked the middle of the song, and then promptly recorded two masterful, blazing guitar solos on top. Instead of thinking Eddie Van Halen had butchered his new track, Michael Jackson was grateful. Van Halen recalled to CNN that Jackson told him he made the song that much better. "Thank you so much for having the passion to not just come in and blaze a solo, but to actually care about the song," Jackson allegedly said.​
     
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  2. kakhatesmortgages66

    kakhatesmortgages66 Well-Known Member

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  3. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    You only like sadness now???
     
  4. kakhatesmortgages66

    kakhatesmortgages66 Well-Known Member

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    No.

    I would say this is more about full on gut wrenching despair. Hahahahaa!!!!! As opposed to you know.....just going through a break up or something.

    Also I did play a thrashy type song yesterday.

    I'm actually kind of surprised you like it?
     
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  5. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    I enjoy despair as much as the next Guy....LoL :lolol:
     
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  6. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    Some Animals as Leaders @SteelinOhio . A lot of what people think are effects are His techniques from His hands.
     
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  7. kakhatesmortgages66

    kakhatesmortgages66 Well-Known Member

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    Cool band name, too.
     
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  8. Animus

    Animus Well-Known Member

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    perfect song that reflects on second guessing one's and contemplating suicide.
     
  9. SteelinOhio

    SteelinOhio

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    Cool, thanks for sharing. Looking at their wikipedia page, it looks like there's no vocalist, so I guess they're all instrumental? Pretty good sound. Almost made me think of a mix of Rush and Dream Theater.
     
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  10. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    You would be surprised how many techniques have been ripped from them.
     
  11. kakhatesmortgages66

    kakhatesmortgages66 Well-Known Member

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  12. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    Great Prog
    Moon Tooth :Alpha Howl
     
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  13. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    One more for You newbies
    Give it a second....this is pretty cool.
    Moon Tooth: Awe at All Angles
     
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  14. forgotten1

    forgotten1 Well-Known Member

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    Absolutely
    Discussion with a friend and it was about guitarist on M Jackson so
    Absolutely
    Discussion with friend about guitarist on his songs.
    EVH on Beat It

    Steve Stevens on Dirty Diana.

    Slash on....
     
  15. Steel_Elvis

    Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

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  16. santeesteel

    santeesteel

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    Now, for something different.......
    This guy had an incredible voice! I learned a lot of Spanish listening to music like this. Simple lyrics.
     
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  17. kakhatesmortgages66

    kakhatesmortgages66 Well-Known Member

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  18. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    I like , but do You ever wonder if some bands get tired of trying to sound like others, and not themselves???
     
  19. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    I would have listened just because of that picture. LoL
     
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  20. strummerfan

    strummerfan Well-Known Member

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  21. kakhatesmortgages66

    kakhatesmortgages66 Well-Known Member

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  22. forgotten1

    forgotten1 Well-Known Member

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  23. kakhatesmortgages66

    kakhatesmortgages66 Well-Known Member

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    Love this!!!!!
     
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  24. kakhatesmortgages66

    kakhatesmortgages66 Well-Known Member

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    dust.......stay away, ok?
     
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  25. steel machine

    steel machine Well-Known Member

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    Speaking of the great Eddie Van Halen, my two favorite stories about him are how he ended up playing guitar and the golf picture. Growing up in Amsterdam (oh what a great time I had there when I was a lot younger) he would race his brother home to beat him to the drum set their parents bought. Turns our Eddie was a tad bit slower then Alex so he got PO'd and picked up a guitar. I'd say it worked out well for him.

    Other story is just so odd to me. There is a picture of Eddie from the early 90's where he is playing golf with Gerald Ford, Fuzzy Zoeller (old golfer) and Bob Hope. Just odd seeing a rock and roller with those guys.

    I loved Eddie but would have kicked his ass if I ever saw him because he stole the woman I was going to marry;) Loved me some Valerie B.
     
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