Michael Jackson’s Thriller -era guitarist says Beat It was “too metal” before producer Quincy Jones stepped in.

How the late producer and composer Quincy Jones saved this iconic Michael Jackson hit from its heavy metal fate.

Featuring Jackson’s videos for “Billie Jean” and two weeks later for “Beat It” widened the video-clip channel’s appeal as much as airplay on MTV widened the appeal of Michael Jackson.

Jackson wanted a rock track for Thriller – and Lukather says Jones had to step in to stop the song from entering fully ...