“Beat It” is one of Michael Jackson’s biggest hits from his album, Thriller (1982).
Michael wrote and composed it himself. Quincy Jones asked him for a rock-sounding track to broaden his audience, and Jackson already had a demo ready. The lyrics send a clear message against violence: it’s better to stay out of fights than to try to be “the toughest.”
The legendary moment is the guitar solo, played by Eddie Van Halen for free, as a favor. Eddie showed up, changed the song’s structure, and recorded it in two takes. That solo opened the song up to a rock audience.
The music video, directed by Bob Giraldi, cost $150,000, which Michael paid out of his own pocket. It was filmed in Skid Row (Los Angeles) with real gang members. It shows two rival gangs on the verge of fighting who, thanks to Michael, end up dancing in an epic choreography. The message: resolve conflicts with peace and dance, not with violence.
Released in 1983, it reached #1, won two Grammys, and helped make Thriller the best-selling album of all time. It broke barriers on MTV and remains an anthem against violence.
So many people don’t know that 21 years ago on June 13th, Michael Jackson was acquitted of all charges and declared not guilty.
That day was not just a date; it was a testament to his innocence, a celebration of his purity, and a vow to defend his legacy against the shadows of doubt.
@fei_rock@calreces Atrévete Cesar a leer el libro que Pablo te está comentando y luego habla con propiedad. Información verídica es lo que cuenta y no el boca a boca sin información veraz.
Brutal. Así, sin más. Sabéis que me gusta escribir bastante, sobre todo cuando algo me gusta. Esta vez es tal la enormidad de lo que vi anoche en el estreno de Michael, que no sé por dónde empezar.
Existen las posesiones? 👻
Estamos ante un Expediente X?
Se fundió Jaafar Jackson con ( 🧵 sigue)
There aren't many stars bigger than Kanye West ... but, when you put Michael Jackson in a music video, the 'Smooth Criminal' is bound to steal some attention!
Read more: https://t.co/22k4UcaZYC
I’m so sick of all this “Michael Jackson died 500 million in debt” nonsense.
Michael Jackson gave over that same amount to charity.
So here's a better headline…
“Michael Jackson donated over 500 Million dollars to charity during his life. And some estimates say that number is still low and closer to a Billion.”
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I will not allow them to try and paint my uncle as this financial failure who died in debt. That’s their narrative. I will always paint him in the correct light.
A charitable man who believed in giving away more money than he earned and who died still owning music publishing assets worth over 2 Billion dollars (and that’s a low estimate).
"A estas alturas, su nombre es sinónimo de superestrella". Tengo esa frase grabada a fuego desde los 12 años. Este documental marcó toda mi adolescencia. Me lo dejó un amigo de clase, y creo que nunca se lo llegué a devolver...