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Like most people I am shocked by the fact that Michael Jackson has died at the age of 50. Although I really wasn’t a big fan, no one can deny the impact he made on pop music. The success of his massive 1982 album “Thriller” changed the course of music forever, becoming the biggest selling album of time (50 million copies), spawning seven top ten singles (including #1s “Beat It” and “Billie Jean”), and breaking the color barrier on MTV. The album crossed genres, from the funk of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin”, to the R&B balladry of “Human Nature”, to the rock edge of “Beat it”. Jackson’s talent truly transcended race and musical styles and he will never be forgotten.

Michael Jackson had a few songs cross over to the Mainstream Rock chart, and one that surprisingly did not, even though it was designed to do so.

Beat It – #14 Mainstream Rock

The third single from “Thriller”, “Beat It” hit #14 Mainstream Rock, #1 Pop Singles, and #1 Black Singles in 1983. The track was fueled by a fiery guitar solo by none other than Eddie Van Halen, who actually refused to be paid for his lead work. “Beat It” also features a couple of musicians from Toto: drums by Steve Pocaro and rhythm guitar by Steve Lukather. MTV initially refused to play the West Side Story-inspired video, but they caved under pressure from CBS Records, thus shattering the color barrier on the fledgling music channel.

Eddie Van Halen: “I am really shocked; as I’m sure the world is, to hear the news. I had the pleasure of working with Michael on ‘Beat It’ back in ‘83 — one of my fondest memories in my career. Michael will be missed and may he rest in peace.”

Thriller – #42 Mainstream Rock

The title track from “Thriller” crossed over and hit #42 on the Mainstream Rock chart as well as hitting #4 on the Hot 100. The song features the Grammy-winning, biggest selling, most influential music video ever; a horror/zombie/werewolf homage directed by John Landis with makeup effects by Rick Baker. Michael’s co-star in the video was Playboy Playmate Ola Ray.

Say Say Say – #24 Mainstream Rock

“Thriller” featured a schmaltzy duet between Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson called “The Girl is Mine”, which hit #1 Black Singles and #2 Pop Singles in 1982. The duo reunited the next year for more upbeat #1 Pop hit “Say Say Say”, which also crossed over onto the Mainstream Rock chart, hitting #24. The video is notable for its portrayal of McCartney, his wife Linda, and Jackson as turn of the century con artists/Vaudeville performers. The young woman that Jackson romances in the video is played by Jackson’s real-life sister, LaToya.

Paul McCartney: “I feel privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael. He was a massively talented boy man with a gentle soul. His music will be remembered forever and my memories of our time together will be happy ones.”

State of Shock – #42 Mainstream Rock

Although “State of Shock” was on the 1984 Victory album by The Jacksons, it really is a duet between Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones. Jackson, of course, was the most popular artist in the world in 1984 and threw his brothers a bone by appearing on the Victory album. Jackie, Randy, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon reaped the benefits as “State of Shock” hit #3 on the Hot 100 and #42 on the Mainstream Rock chart.

Dirty Diana

“Dirty Diana” didn’t actually hit on the Mainstream Rock charts, but if there was ever a Michael Jackson song that tried to become a rock hit, it was this one. The track was featured on “Bad”, Jackson’s 1987 followup to “Thriller”. “Bad” tried to hard to duplicate the genre-busting formula of “Thriller”, and “Dirty Diana” was “Bad’s” version of “Beat It”; a harder-edged rock track with a solo by a rock guitarist, in this case Steve Stevens, lead guitarist for Billy Idol.