Brian May is best known as a guitar virtuoso who masterfully elicits a unique blend of melodic solos, intricate harmonies, and a tone that sets him apart from other major players. His creativity extended beyond playing; he contributed significantly to Queen’s songwriting, crafting anthems like ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, and ‘Tie Your Mother Down’.
May demonstrated an early affinity for music. Crafting his first guitar at 16 with his father, May’s ingenuity birthed the iconic Red Special, a guitar that became an extension of his musical genius. It makes sense, therefore, why many label him as one of the best guitarists in the world — despite May himself being sceptical of such a description.
Making an appearance on SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show, May discussed his response to fans calling him the best guitarist before he revealed his personal favourite musicians. He said: “I take everything like that with a pinch of salt, really, ’cause you can’t say who’s best. The nice thing about guitar playing is that everybody’s different. You can’t really rank people.”
Although May appreciates many rock and roll icons, from Jimi Hendrix to Prince, he also recognises the significance of the grunge scene and those who lead the movement. During a trip to Seattle in the 1990s, May discovered that the grunge genre was swiftly emerging as a significant subculture. During this time, the guitarist found Nirvana and Kurt Cobain, figures who quickly became one of the most defining aspects of the entire concept.
May expressed his thoughts on grunge, Nirvana, and Kurt Cobain during a discussion with Ultimate Classic Rock. He explained: “I wish I’d met him. I never did. I thought [Nirvana were] great. I love people with passion. And it’s not related to how much dexterity they have on their instruments; it’s what comes from the soul,” adding, “Kurt Cobain, for me, looked like a kindred spirit.”
In the early 1990s, May focused on his first solo record, Back To The Light, which he re-released in 2021, including a bonus second disc. He reminisced about his time in the Emerald City, coinciding with the rising peak of the grunge music movement: “I remember visiting Seattle around that time and kind of drinking it in. I was realising that something big was happening – and in a good way.”
He continued: “I remember getting kind of immersed in the graffiti. I’d always kind of hated graffiti up to that time, because in Britain it’s just a mess. When I went to Seattle, I saw all of these beautiful coloured things on the walls everywhere. It kind of reminded me of psychedelia and the days when I was a boy. It was cool to paint everything in fluorescent paint or whatever. I just felt it was a great community. There was a movement going on there.”
