Queen was what they were because of every single one of their members. The band’s unique sound emerged from four musical minds working together to unleash a massive sonic structure through the speakers, even though Freddie Mercury may receive the most credit among the group. Even though he possibly invented the symphony of guitars, Brian May acknowledged that this band gave him a better understanding of the idea of rock and roll harmony.
When scrolling through the band’s discography, one can effortlessly identify the genres they adapted in each and every one of their releases. Early on, the band made a concerted effort to emulate Led Zeppelin’s style of heavy riffing. Whether it was on the guitar in “Great King Rat” or the piano concerto in “Seven Seas of Rhye”.
Queen would continue to set the standard for musical trends for the remainder of their collaboration. They experimented with incorporating different synthesisers into their sound on albums such as Hot Space. In their last releases, Innuendo, they returned to progressive rock, this time with the assistance of guitarists like Steve Howe.
May’s only guitar experience came from playing a ukulele-banjo that he acquired from his father and carried with him throughout the war. When Brian May heard rock and roll for the first time, he was completely taken back because the chord shapes would translate to the guitar. May fell in love with The Everly Brothers the moment he heard them sing, despite the fact that Little Richard and Chuck Berry had their following.
The band, known for their amazing two-part harmonies, laid the groundwork for early rock and roll. The band also served as an inspiration to young John Lennon and Paul McCartney when they began to learn. Although May carved his own path in Queen, he remembers always desiring recognition as an honorary Everly.
On his website, Brian May expressed his gratitude to the group for their influence on him. He said, “The influence they had on me, especially with regard to how to sing harmonies, has been massive. It is evident on lots of Queen records as well as my solo recordings”. May also paid tribute to Don Everly. I could still, of course, sing every word and note that they sang on every record. And I always devoured both parts. Not only that, I also developed the habit of joining them in singing a third harmony section. I desired to join their group!
Queen undoubtedly learned a thing or two about harmony singing from The Everly Brothers. But, May’s guitar-sculpting is clearly influenced by them. Each individual part of his solos feels like a perfect melody because many of them veer into harmony halfway through. It is much like Don and Phil’s harmonies blended on songs like “Bye Bye Love” or “Wake Up Little Susie”. Even though May has a tendency to play the guitar like an opera, he is aware that everything begins with the combination of two harmonies, just like The Everlys did.
