Friday, June 25, 2010

Michael Jackson anniversary

Today marks the 1-year anniversary of the passing of pop icon Michael Jackson.

Michael dabbled with rock stuff during his career: from Slash (“Black Or White” and “Give Into Me”) to Steve Stevens (“Dirty Diana”) to Eddie Van Halen’s genre-changing solo on “Beat It,” Jackson worked without musical boundaries.

Thought I’d throw together an interesting collection of Michael-related things for today…

This is the lead guitar solo from “Beat It,” as recorded by Eddie Van Halen.

BeatMichael Jackson - Beat It - Thriller

Michael Jackson – Beat It (guitar only) (1982)
Eddie Van Halen solo



BlackMichael Jackson - Black or White - Number Ones

Michael Jackson – Black Or White (featuring Slash)
30th Anniversary Concert – MSG, NYC - September, 2001



Ex-Stone Roses leader Ian Brown has recorded a couple of Jackson covers – here’s one:

BillieIan Brown - Billie Jean – The Greatest (bonus CD)

Ian Brown – Billie Jean (2005)



And here’s another…

ThrillerIan Brown - Thriller – The Greatest (bonus CD)

Ian Brown – Thriller (2005)



Michael’s influence crossed into skate-punk territory when Alien Ant Farm covered “Smooth Criminal.”

Smooth

Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal (2001)