The Best Guitar Solos Of All Time: Number 6

What happens when you mix a pop icon with a guitar god? You get "Beat It," of course. The track is on Michael Jackson's 1984 album, Thriller. "Beat It" features a blistering guitar solo by none other than Eddie Van Halen. "Beat It" comes in at number 6 on my list for the best guitar solos of all time.

There's a reason Thriller is the best selling album of all time: it is basically flawless, from beginning to end and there's a little something for everyone. Jackson struck literal gold with "Beat It" - the song is definitely more rock than pop and that is due to Van Halen's masterful guitar work. The solo is short - clocking in at under 30 seconds - and yet it is the pinnacle of the song. This cross-over, melding pop and hard rock, was one of the first of its kind. Amazingly, Van Halen did the solo as a favor, taking no money for his work.

Back in 2012, CNN interviewed Eddie Van Halen about his "Beat It" solo and the short interview is worth a read.

Of course, "Beat It" was a huge commercial hit. It also won the Grammy for "Record of the Year" among other awards. Remember, the video is pretty iconic too, with the street gangs doing a dance-off. Tracii Guns is in the video.

Now you might be thinking, "How could Allyson choose 'Beat It' over 'Eruption?'" Great question! Of course "Eruption" is a great solo - and Eddie Van Halen's trademark. But for all its importance in music, the song did not achieve the same crossover appeal attained by "Beat It." It seems like everyone on the face of the planet knows the wailing guitar solo in "Beat It." That means something.

The isolated solo:

Here's "Beat It" live during the Jackson's Victory Tour - with special guest Eddie Van Halen! Incidentally, the Victory Tour is one of those shows I wish I could go back in time to attend.