Jackson was inspired to create an album where " every song was a killer " and developed '' Thriller '' with that in mind . Jones and songwriter Rod Temperton gave detailed accounts of what occurred for the 2001 reissue of the album . Jones discussed " Billie Jean " and why it was so personal to Jackson , who struggled with obsessed fans . Jones wanted to shorten the long introduction , but Jackson insisted that it remain because it made him want to dance . The ongoing backlash against disco made it necessary to move in a different musical direction from the disco-heavy '' Off the Wall '' . Jones and Jackson were determined to make a rock song that would appeal to all tastes and spent weeks looking for a suitable guitarist for the song " Beat It " . Eventually , they found Steve Lukather of Toto to play the rhythm guitar parts and Eddie Van Halen of the rock band Van Halen to play the solo
backlash
Disco Demolition Night
Thriller (Michael Jackson album)