Michael Jackson was never affraid to think outside the box and always afforded the best musicians money can buy. And it happens that some of the very best lead guitarists are Heavy Metal guitarists.
Eddie Van Halen
Steve Stevens, Billy Idol guitarist.
Michael Jackson guitarist Jennifer Batten.
Slash of Guns N' Roses.
Orianthi, Alice Cooper guitarist
Another thing that is worth mentioning. Michael Jackson didn't instill a dress code for the badass Heavy Metal guitarists he employed. As you can see in the contrast in fashion style. Leather, studs, denin, flannel, big hair... Slash could even smoke cigarettes on the stage!
Guitar Hero Buckethead and one of his heroes, Michael Jackson.
Given some time, if Michael Jackson was alive today. The weird looking Buckethead (Guns N' Roses lead guitarist 2000-2004) would certainly have played for him. Plus, Buckethead is a lifelong Michael Jackson fan.
Here below is a rather silly video illustrating the correlation between Buckethead and Michael Jackson.
Interesting links: https://bucketheadisciple.wixsite.com/home/post/101-reasons-why-buckethead-is-the-g-o-a-t
