Eddie Van Halen alone gets credited for “Beat it.” That’s a mistake. Steve Lukather deserves credit. Ya wanna know how easy it is to overlook a great guitar soloist because he’s just playing for the wrong people? Listen to the guitar solo at the end of “Running with the Night” by Lionel Richie. Yes, Lionel Richie. (Did you forget that there even *were* guitar solos on Lionel Richie’s albums?) That’s Steve Lukather, too. Sounds a lot like “Eddie Van Halen,” from “Beat It,” huh?
Lukather also did the solo at the end of The Tubes’ “Talk to Ya Later.”
About 20 years ago, I was in a hotel lobby and saw EVH. He was with his now-deceased manager. I got into a brief conversation and then one or both said to join them. It turned into a 2-to—3 hour conversation at an isolated table in the lobby dining room. I wish I could remember most of the chatter but... the drinks were free. :-) I do know “Beat It” was discussed.