Michael Jackson once paid an extraordinary compliment to guitarist Steve Stevens, a fact that Stevens later realized was the same praise Jackson had previously bestowed upon Eddie Van Halen. This revelation showcases the high esteem Jackson held for both guitarists, highlighting the impact they had in the music industry.

Before this pivotal moment, Stevens had exclusively collaborated with Billy Idol and had never ventured into the world of pop icons like Jackson. When he received the unexpected call from renowned producer Quincy Jones to contribute to Jackson’s highly anticipated album Bad, he felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. This album, arriving five years after the groundbreaking Thriller, raised his apprehensions about working with such a legendary artist.

“With Billy Idol, it was always just a small team: myself, Billy, a producer, and an engineer. It felt intimate,” Stevens shared with Guitar World. “When I flew to L.A. for the Michael Jackson project, I braced myself for the chaos of a vast entourage and overwhelming celebrity culture.”

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However, Stevens was pleasantly surprised to find that the recording atmosphere was surprisingly familiar: “I opened the studio door, and it was just like my sessions with Idol – it was Michael, Quincy, and the engineer. No inflated egos, no overwhelming entourage, just pure creativity.”

Watch Michael Jackson’s Iconic ‘Dirty Diana’ Music Video

Steve Stevens’ Memorable Encounter with Michael Jackson During the ‘Dirty Diana’ Recording

As the recording session progressed, Stevens grew to appreciate the collaborative environment. “What was fascinating was how well we understood their vision for the melody and rhythmic elements – then Quincy encouraged me, saying, ‘You go in there and do what you want,’” he reminisced, reflecting on the creative freedom he experienced.

This approach led to an unforgettable guitar solo that ultimately contributed to “Dirty Diana” reaching the coveted No. 1 spot on the U.S. charts, mirroring the success achieved by Van Halen’s iconic solo in “Beat It.” The synergy of their talents showcased how collaboration can yield remarkable results in the music industry.

“After laying down the solo, Michael turned to me and said, ‘Hey, I really like the high notes,’” Stevens recalled. “I thought, ‘Okay, cool.’ Later, when I met Eddie, I mentioned my experience working with Michael. He responded, ‘Hey, man, did he say he liked the high notes?’ It was a surreal moment of recognition between the guitar legends.”

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