Brian May is primarily recognized for his ability to play the guitar like a virtuoso, producing a distinctive sound that combines complex harmonies, melodic solos, and a distinct tone that distinguishes him from other well-known musicians. He wasn’t just a talented musician; he also wrote a lot of Queen’s hits, including “We Will Rock You,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and “Tie Your Mother Down.”
Brian May showed a love of music at a young age. May’s inventiveness gave rise to the renowned Red Special, a guitar that became an extension of his musical brilliance when he crafted his first guitar with his father at the age of 16. Therefore, it makes sense that even though May is dubious about being called one of the greatest guitarists in the world, many others do.
May addressed his reaction to fans calling him the greatest guitarist during an appearance on SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show. He then shared his personal musical preferences. “You can’t say who’s best,” he said, so I take everything like that with a grain of salt. The beauty of guitar playing is that each person has their unique style. It’s impossible to rank individuals.
Although May enjoys the music of many rock and roll legends, such as Jimi Hendrix and Prince, he also understands the importance of the grunge scene and its leaders. In the 1990s, May learned that the grunge subculture was quickly becoming prominent while visiting Seattle. The guitarist came across Kurt Cobain and Nirvana during this period, and they soon emerged as two of the concept’s most important characteristics.
May talked about Kurt Cobain, Nirvana, and grunge in an interview with Ultimate Classic Rock. In his own words, “I wish I’d met him but I never did. I felt that Nirvana was fantastic. I have a deep love for people. He added, “Kurt Cobain looked like a kindred spirit to me. And it’s not related to how much dexterity they have on their instruments; it’s what comes from the soul.”
Brian May worked on his debut solo album, Back To The Light, in the early 1990s. He reissued the album in 2021 with an additional bonus disc. He reflected on his time spent in the Emerald City, which coincided with the height of the grunge music movement: “I remember going to Seattle around that time and kind of taking it all in.” I was beginning to realize that a significant, positive development was taking place.
He went on, “I seem to have become somewhat engrossed in the graffiti.” Graffiti was something I had always kind of hated because, in Britain, it’s just a mess. I saw all of these gorgeously colored things on walls all around Seattle when I visited. I was kind of reminded of psychedelic music and my boyhood. Painting everything with fluorescent paint, or whatever, was kind of cool. It was, in my opinion, a wonderful community. There was activity occurring there.
