V/A - Thriller: a Metal Tribute To Michael Jackson (LP)

Michael’s status as one of the most globally recognisable musicians cannot be challenged, but even grunge and heavy metal artists have saluted his influence.

Metallica covered Michael’s hit ‘Beat It’ at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2003 and have since played it again in concert. After one performance in 2009, James Hetfield told the crowd that the song had a huge influence on band member Kirk Hammett’s guitar-playing style. Hetfield maybe referring to Eddie Van Halen who featured in a guitar solo, but the tribute from Metallica is a testament to how Michael’s songs could bring together diverse genres.

There is an album entitled ‘Thriller – a Metal Tribute to Michael Jackson’ and though its artists are not quite of Metallica’s stature it features Phil Campbell, formerly of Motorhead, and ends with Alien Ant Farm’s version of Michael’s ‘Smooth Criminal.’